Martha's Story 

Martha Ballesteros Holgado is one of FairPlay’s teachers, and with our financial help is also in the process of completing her university training as a social care assistant. As well as explaining the Spanish language to numerous tourists, Martha runs a social programme for her fellow teachers, providing training in areas such as nutrition, health and hygiene. This is her story:

"I am 38 years old. I have two children. My oldest is Pilar Alexandra, and she is 13. My youngest, six-year-old, Diego Amadeo, suffers from asthma.

When I became a single mom during my ninth semester at university, my family was really angry with me. They were ashamed of me; they were ashamed to tell people that I was a single mom. I was very ashamed myself in the beginning. I remember always telling people that the father of my children was traveling or away for work. In Peru it is not common to tell people you are a single mother. If you do, people will think badly of you.

I didn’t receive any help from the father of my children. I tried to start a lawsuit to get money from him, but in Peru the law is mostly on the side of the people that have money. It was his choice to help me or not. I wanted to finish university but needed to work. I worked in sales, washing clothes, and cleaning houses. In Peru you can’t get a job without a diploma. My life was very sad and dark, and I couldn’t see a way out. I prayed to God to please give me a chance, just for my kids.

I really can’t help crying when I think about this; I remember the really sad moments when my children asked for a piece of bread and didn’t understand why I couldn’t buy it for them. When my kids were sick, I even thought about ending my life because I couldn’t bear the suffering of my children. I know that is very cowardly, but it was the despair, the inability to give them a better life, to improve my own life.

Then I met Professor Fanny and John. They told me about the project and asked for my name and address. The week after, I was on their list and had to do an entry exam. After that I was accepted for the project. I decided to pursue the course because it was the only chance for me and my children. It was really a gift from God, brought to me by angels, because everything was for free. I wondered: who gives you a future for free?

The course wasn’t easy because there were 30 single moms, and everyone wanted the job. There were only 15 of us that could become teachers. We started organizing our lives, started to read books, and prepared every day because competition was so strong. Sometimes I hadn’t eaten all day because I only had food for my children, and fortunately FairPlay would give us a sandwich and a drink. Sometimes I went to the course on foot because I didn’t have any money for the bus, but I never thought about stopping.

FairPlay gave us the course for free: a sandwich and a drink every day, notebooks, pens, and even someone watching over our kids during classes. I have changed a lot: not just who I am but even the way I dress. Now I can smile sincerely, express my thoughts and feelings before my companions, and have self-confidence. I think my life has started now. I like to share what I have because Fairplay has also taught us to give, to share, and to help other people. "