I had my first job at 12. I carried out trash for a local small restaurant back home. They paid me $10 a day to carry out the trash and pick up the parking lot. I would do this about 3 to 4 times a week. I was making up to $40 a week and thought I was on top of the world. Finally I could buy some nice tennis shoes like everyone else wore. I could get myself a skate board like everyone else had and I could even buy some clothes that were more like everyone else’s.
See, there were three of us kids and I was the youngest. The oldest was my brother and had a sister between us. I got my brothers hand-me-downs mostly to wear. Since he was 6 years older than I am, some of his clothes weren’t what the other kids were wearing at that time. You know what I’m saying? I looked different and felt different too. I was a very angry kid and rightfully so most of the time.
I hated school. Then one day I walked into Mrs. Daye’s class and things began to change. On not overnight by any means but every time I was sent to her, she always told me she had faith in me. She knew I was going to make something out of myself. Because of her, that’s what I began to believe too.
So here I am working 50 hours a week doing anything from laying block for the foundation, roofing, framing and anything else they need help with. I’m learning new things all the time and reaching higher and higher so I can be someone I can be proud of.