Daniela

I met Daniela in 2004 when she was still a high school student in Quito, Ecuador. At that time she was very interested in making a difference in the world. In particular she wanted to help children and help stop the violence. Her parents, though, just wanted her to be a normal girl and get high grades and then go to a university. Now she is 19 and has been doing what her parents wanted but is not satisfied with her life.

When I met her she was working on a speech, to be given in English, for a speech contest. Winning was very important to her. But I felt discouraged to see how important it was. I asked her what was more important, to win or to say something she really believed. At first she said to win. Then we talked about it some me more and she seemed to have changed her mind. Then a few months later she told me she had only told me she had changed her mind so I would help her. I don't believe this is totally true. I believe she was and is confused about what is most important. Her heart told her one thing but her parents and teachers told her another..

Update - 2011 - I talked to D a year or so ago and she was getting her masters in economics in France. And thinking abour marrying the guy she had been dating in high school that her mother disapproved of.

I got an email from D the other day. She asked if I remembered her. I wrote her back and asked what she was up to, where she was etc. She told me she was studying economics in the university, still living at home and still dating the same guy.