From Peru to The United States: Raquel Alvarez's Journey of Strength, Sacrifice, and Self-Made Success

Written by: Sofia Alvarez

Raquel Alvarez left Lima, Peru at 19 to build a better life in New York City. Now retired and living in Florida, she reflects on the life she built—one shaped by sacrifice, family, and staying true to her roots.

Raquel Alvarez at 19 years old.

When Raquel moved from Peru to New York City in 1980, she didn’t have a long-term plan. She just knew her family needed help—and she was willing to do whatever it took. “My family was struggling,” she said. “I was the oldest daughter, and I felt like I had to do something. I came to work and help my family back at home. That was my goal.” She moved in with a cousin in Queens and started working almost immediately, even though she didn’t speak much English.“It was a lot at once,” she said. “The trains, the cold weather, even buying groceries—it was all new to me.” Raquel took whatever work she could find—from babysitting to cleaning homes. “I didn’t have a choice,” she said. “I just knew I had to work.”

Those early years weren’t easy. Money was tight, and she missed home constantly. She remembers crying on the subway more than once, wondering if she had made the right decision. But every time she got paid and was able to send money to her mother, it reminded her why she came. “Even if it was just $50 or $100, it helped. My mom could buy groceries, pay bills. That kept me going.”

In her mid 20s, she met her husband while out one night with friends. “We started talking and just hit it off,” she said. “After that, we were always together.” They built a simple life in Queens. After getting married, Raquel and her husband had two children. She worked during the day and came home to cook dinner, looked after her children, and managed the household. “It was nonstop, but that was normal for me,” she said. “You just do what needs to be done.”

Around the same time, a neighbor told her about a phlebotomy training program. Wanting something more stable, she enrolled and began studying at night while continuing to work during the day. “It was hard, but I liked learning,” she said. “And I wanted something steady.”

After finishing the program, she got hired at a medical clinic in Queens, where she worked for over 30 years. While the job became routine, what she enjoyed most was the people.

“Some people get nervous when they have to get blood taken,” she said. “So I’d talk to them, explain what I was doing, try to keep them calm.” One day, a young girl came in who was terrified of needles. Raquel sat with her, held her hand, and asked her questions to distract her. “Afterward, the girl hugged me and said I was the only one who made it feel easy,” she recalled. “That stuck with me.” Her coworkers and patients appreciated her gentle, calm energy. “Everyone who came in remembered me,” she said. “I just made people feel comfortable.” Raquel was also known in the clinic for remembering everyone’s name and asking how their families were doing. “It wasn’t just a job,” she said. “You build relationships.”

Raquel and her husband lived in different neighborhoods in Queens like Jackson Heights and Elmhurst. “There was always music, people outside, food from every country,” she said. “It made me feel at home.” Her children grew up bilingual, surrounded by a mix of cultures. She said it was important to her that they understood where they came from. “I always told them, just because you’re born here doesn’t mean you forget your roots.”

As the years passed, her sisters also immigrated to the U.S. and eventually settled in Florida. Her brothers stayed in Peru, and she still keeps in close contact with them. “I call them all the time,” she said. “And I try to go back to Lima once or twice a year. I miss them a lot.”

When she visits, her brothers take her to the same market she used to go to as a child.

She’s always kept her Peruvian culture alive at home. “I cook all the dishes I grew up with—lomo saltado, arroz chaufa, tamales,” she said. “And I play música criolla when I clean or cook. That’s how I stay connected.” She even taught her grandchildren how to make alfajores. “They love helping me roll the dough. I want them to know the flavors I grew up with.”

After she retired, she and her husband moved to Florida to be closer to their children and grandchildren, who had also relocated. It was a big change from New York, but one she welcomed. “New York was getting too hectic for us,” she said. “Now we’re close to our family, and I get to see my grandkids all the time.” These days, Raquel enjoys a slower pace—spending time with family, cooking, and enjoying mornings without rushing. “Sometimes I miss the noise,” she said. “But I love being able to sit on my porch and enjoy my coffee in peace."

She now has time to read more, garden a little, and even watch old Peruvian telenovelas on the television. “I never had time before, but now I can finally enjoy the little things.”

Raquel says she doesn’t regret any part of her journey. “It wasn’t always easy, but I’m thankful for the life I have,” she said. “Everything I did was for my family, and now I get to enjoy the results of that.”

Looking back, she’s proud of everything she built. She came here with nothing. She worked hard, helped her family, raised her kids, and stayed close to who she is.

Her advice to anyone starting fresh in a new country? “Work hard. Be strong. And don’t forget where you came from.” Raquel’s story is one that reflects the experience of many immigrants—leaving home for a better future, building a life from the ground up, and staying connected to where it all started.

Raquel with her sisters.

Raquel and her mother Dalila.