GREENFIELD — Maricella Obando Moya arrived in the United States on Sept. 7, 2015, knowing very little English, and four years later, after a lot of hard work, she has become a citizen.
When she arrived at age 38, Moya, now 42, says she settled in Greenfield with her family and began studying English at the Center for New Americans almost immediately — the only English she knew was “Hi,” “How are you,” and “Thank you.” Today, she speaks English clearly and fluently and has a job in food services at Baystate Franklin Medical Center.
“I am a dreamer,” she says with a smile. “But not just a dreamer. I make things happen.”
She says she was never prouder than when she stood to become a citizen in Ludlow on a recent summer day.
Two of her children, a daughter and son, have been studying at Greenfield High School and live with her and her kitten. Her oldest son still lives in Costa Rica, but hopes to eventually make his way to the United States to be with his family.
Moya was born and raised in Cartago, a mountain city that was the capital of Costa Rica from 1574 to 1824. She is the daughter of an alcoholic mother and absent father. She says her childhood was difficult, but when she was in kindergarten, her teacher showed her how to paint and she fell in love, becoming the artist she is today. She says she also loves to write and hopes to complete her memoir over the next few years.
But before she had the opportunity to throw herself into her passions, she had to begin working at the age of 9 in Costa Rica to help support her mother and siblings. So, she had to complete the HiSET, formerly known as a GED, before she could become naturalized.
“It wasn’t easy in Costa Rica,” she says. “I still go back and visit every year, but I love living in the United States. I can’t believe that people complain about it. If they spent any time in other countries, they’d see just how good they have it.”
Moya says the Center for New Americans helped her tremendously by helping her find a job, teaching her English, providing legal advice and helping her understand her rights.
“I just want to spread joy now that I’m here for good,” she says. “I believe we are mirrors, so we have to be our best in life, who we are and how we want people to see us. That’s what I try to be — my best.”
She says she first came to the United States as a visitor with a four-month visa. She says as soon as she returned to Costa Rica, she applied for immigration papers so she could move here.
“I spent two years waiting to hear anything,” she says. “Once I got here and started the process, I learned English, filled out all the necessary paperwork, interviewed with officers so they could see that I was serious and understood what I was doing, and I learned a lot about the Constitution.”
“I had already begun working at the hospital in food services,” she says. “The center gave me cards with questions and answers I was going to have to know to take my test. It was fun and many of my co-workers helped me during down times at work.”
She says it was a challenge, but one that was well worth it.
“Living here in the United States and in Greenfield makes me feel blessed, rich, gives me such energy,” she says. “In the four years I’ve lived here, I’ve been given such wonderful opportunities. I think if people really take a good look, they’ll see there are opportunities, jobs here, sometimes you just have to find them.”
Moya says it’s all about attitude. “You create your own world, your own circumstances, no matter where you are and what challenges you face,” she says. “I feel very free here.”
Moya says she has found she loves working with seniors and seeing them smile when she tells a story or shows them her colorful art. She says they also share rich and interesting stories with her.
Now that she has completed one of her three goals — becoming a citizen — and doesn’t have to worry about that any longer, she will start working on the other two — selling her art and finishing her memoir.
She says now that she feels truly at home, she will start working on her art and her memoir again.
Her Greenfield home is full of art, murals and furniture she found on the side of the road and painted, transforming those pieces into works of art, as well.
“Any type of art is about dreams and energy, and I have a lot of both,” she says.
Moya says she would like to have one public exhibition of her art each year and hopes that will happen by next year. Some of her work has been in local galleries, but mostly in hospitals and nursing homes.
“I simply love making art and sharing it with others to make them happy,” she says.