Francisco

I've spent better part of a morning trying to figure out how to insert a Powerpoint presentation into this blog. It was sent as an email attachment to me from a dear one who gets it. I'm sure you may have seen it before as it has made its way around the Internet. The message is accompanied by the hauntingly beautiful music of Enya. Her voice is spinning in my head when my cell phone rings.

It's one of my former students. His story is remarkable and quite marketable. It is also a dilemma. Everything about Francisco defies description. Born in Mexico of native heritage, he has no formal education. In fact, being in our ESL class was the first time he was ever in a classroom! If you want to talk about determination, and courage this young man has it like no one I've ever met. He needs help and I don't know how to help him.

Of course, its his immigration status that presents the next biggest challenge for him after learning English. I know nothing of the nether world of immigration. He is not the first who has asked for information on obtaining a Social Security number nor will he be the last. I should have advised him to find an American woman and get married. It happens.

I could write a personal ad for him. He is soft spoken and humble yet bold and courageous. Very intelligent. He comprehends more than his English skills at the moment convey. He holds a job in this economy. He may have no formal education but he knew enough to make it north to this region. He has a passion for learning and education. He'll make a good father and be a good provider. He's devout and has the freedom to worship as he pleases here. He is going places.

With or without a green card Francisco is a very special man.

Anyone know where I can get information as to how to assist him in his journey?