Long before Cristofer dreamed of becoming a doctor, he learned what it meant to work hard for the people you love. Cristofer grew up in Ciudad Bolívar, in the outskirts of Bogotá, Colombia, where violence and poverty were part of his everyday life. Raised by his mother and grandmother, he saw firsthand how hard his mother and grandmother had to work to support him.
When Cristofer was five years old, he accompanied his grandmother on three-hour bus rides across the city to clean other people’s homes. He remembers watching her clean and scrub floors all day, then returning home to see her exhausted. At home, he would make her a cup of coffee and massage her tired hands and legs – a small way of caring for the woman who helped take care of him. Those early experiences shaped Cristofer into the person he is today: resilient, hardworking, disciplined, and motivated to help others.
New Challenges
When Cristofer came to Los Angeles four years ago, he faced a new set of challenges. He had to learn a new language and culture, and when his Colombian school credits weren’t accepted in LA, he had to start high school all over again. At times, he felt so far behind that he considered giving up but he held firmly onto the dream that motivated him: to one day become a doctor to help his family and community.
More Than an Internship
Cristofer discovered A Place Called Home through a school event. He initially came seeking a specific opportunity, but our staff connected him to an even better path forward, which he is grateful for.
He found classes, mentors, and most importantly, people who encouraged him to pursue opportunities he might never have known existed.
A New Opportunity
One of those opportunities was a selective internship at the Luskin Orthopaedic Institute for Children. This would become his chance to meet doctors and experience an environment he had only dreamed of. But, the entire internship process was daunting. Everything would be conducted in English, including a 40-minute interview, and as a non-native English speaker, he was convinced he couldn’t do it.
But, we believed in him. Our staff helped Cristofer prepare, practiced interview questions with him, and strengthened his self-confidence. As a result, he was one of only two selected applicants. “From the moment that I passed, I realized that I am capable,” he said. “If I set my mind to something and work on it, I’m capable of many things.”
That confidence carried him to this moment. Cristofer is currently a freshman enrolled at UC Davis, pursuing his dream of becoming a doctor and, eventually serving others through medicine. He knows the road ahead will not be easy but he also knows what he is capable of.
Cristofer is deeply grateful to the people who helped him reach this moment, including our staff who encouraged, prepared, and connected him to opportunities that helped shape his future.
The Investment
“Without each grain of sand that everybody poured into me, it would’ve been impossible to get to this moment,” Cristofer said. He describes the people who have supported him, including Ms. Jennifer and Ms. Katherine (APCH staff) as “little angels” who helped him move towards his goals.
Cristofer hopes to one day become that same source of support for others. “I feel that A Place Called Home has been an illustration of what I also want to become one day,” he said.