I first came to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic when I was 10 years old. I had gotten estranged from my family in Haiti and ended up in the streets with a group of other boys. One of them had spent time in the Dominican Republic and convinced others and I to go there with him. After a few months of life on the streets in Puerto Plata, and also some time living as a child slave, I got involved with Project Esperanza. I attended their day program, and then they began letting kids without homes stay at their house. My friends and I were the first. I have been involved ever since, with the residential program, school, soccer team, and everything. However, there were times when I followed friends and went back into the streets, and I actually found my family in Haiti again a few years ago. I lived with my mother and brothers for one year in Port-au-Prince and did my fifth grade school year there. My mother ended up passing away and I returned to Puerto Plata, where they accepted me into the home again. They also sent me to Haiti for the 6th grade national exam, which I passed. Now I am finishing up my 8th grade year, and will need to take the Dominican national exam this summer.