I want to meet my birth family

Daniela Mandel Start Date: Feb 24, 2022 - End Date: Jun 23, 2022
  • Lima, Peru

My Travel Story

by: Daniela Mandel Start Date: Feb 24, 2022 - End Date: Jun 23, 2022
It took me a long time to get to this point, I have to start from the beginning. 33 years ago I was born in Lima, Peru. Shortly after, around 3 months old, I was adopted by a couple who loved me dearly my whole life. However, all throughout my childhood, I wondered about my biological family because I felt like such a black sheep in my adopted family. There were so many differences that made me felt set apart. Even though I was in such a supportive family, I couldn't seem to shake the feeling of abandonment and a longing to connect with my real mom and dad. I was in therapy for this since the age of 3. I worked through abandonment and codependency and all the unhealthy patterns that come with. Finally after years and years of some deep personal growth, I asked my mom the question I waa never able to muster up the courage to ask. To meet my birth parents. I was 30 years old and still had a huge fear or hurting my adopted parents feelings. To my surprise, they were more than delighted to put me in touch with the long time friend of theirs who facilitated my adoption. With much excitement, I reached out and immediately booked a session with my therapist to start to prepare for what might come out of this journey of finding my parents. I thought I would have months if not years of searching, but no! Almost immediately I got contact information for my mom who has been also searching for me. I was so excited to learn, I have sisters and brothers and aunts and uncles who all look just like me and are all eager to meet me. Unfortunately none of them speak English and don't have the means to travel to the United States. For the past 3 years, I have been taking weekly Spanish lessons and saving money to go spend some time out there and bond and ask questions and learn about my roots. Recently, I had to spend my hard earned savings on a deeply personal situation and I'm back at zero. I'm feeling really bummed about it since I have been looking forward to this my whole life. I'm embarrassed to ask for money, and so I have been trying to sell things I have to cover the expenses but after running out of things I'm willing to sell, I have humbled myself and thought I would share my story to see if anyone could help me get back to my goal. Really, anything would help and I would feel very grateful for!  
  • Lima, Peru