Female Venezuelan Doctor Starting over with CNA Cert

I'm Rachel, and I’m the client of the remarkable woman at the center of this fundraiser. I invite you to read her inspiring yet heartbreaking story and discover how you can make a difference.

For the past seven months, I've been in hospice care, and my family has been in desperate need of respite. We’ve brought on an incredible caregiver, a registered professional, but the lengthy process of getting her on payroll has limited us to just 12 hours of care per week while we pay out of pocket.

**Meet Preciosa:**

My caregiver, “Preciosa,” is a trained pediatric doctor from Venezuela. In 2005, while working in a pediatric ward, she witnessed an extreme shortage of medical resources for children. Frustrated by a government that ignored their pleas, she and her colleagues organized peaceful protests. In retaliation, they were labeled enemies of the state, leading Preciosa to flee her homeland with her young children for their safety.

The U.S. granted her political asylum, but none of her medical credentials transferred here. Despite the daunting challenge of starting over, she considered pursuing her training anew—until she learned it would cost around $300,000, an impossible sum for a single mother.

When I heard her story, I held her close as tears filled her eyes, the weight of her lost dreams still fresh after all these years. Just this week, she decided to enroll in a local community college CNA training program—a path to rebuild her life.

The training costs $2,100 and lasts three months. For her, that felt overwhelmingly expensive, but I knew our community could help. It is unjust for her to bear this burden alone.

Her situation reflects the struggles faced by many people of color in our country today. Preciosa and her family are legal residents, yet they live with the constant fear of unjust deportation, discussing who would care for their children should the worst happen.

Beyond her own challenges, Preciosa supports her mother in Chile, who has just been diagnosed with cancer. She’s unable to visit due to financial constraints.

Every dollar you contribute will not only support Preciosa but also stand in solidarity with countless others facing similar fears. I want her to focus on her studies without worrying about uniforms, books, and supplies.

Time is of the essence—classes begin on April 3. Preciosa believes that God will provide, and I trust that together, we can be the means through which that happens.

Let’s show her that she doesn’t have to face this journey alone. Thank you for your support!