I know that in many countries there are low-income towns and infected cities where light and shadow intertwine with different contrasts, and there are millions of stories struggling to find an ending. Among these stories, we find a constant battle, especially against addiction. It is a palpable reality, and here in Venezuela, specifically in my town, it is something that is flooding the streets once again.

My story perhaps reflects a little courage, perseverance, and willpower, since I have lived on the streets, where temptations and addictions abound in a daily reality that imprisons millions. I was one of them for years, immersed in that environment, lost in an endless cycle, but it has been five years since I made a decision that changed my life completely. I chose to be free, I chose to live, and since then I have traveled a path full of challenges but also significant victories.

I confess that recovery is a journey that requires a lot of courage and determination. It means looking in the mirror and recognizing that within us there is a strength capable of overcoming any obstacle. It is a constant daily struggle to overcome those old habits, where we gradually realize that we are stronger than we ever thought, because it is not just about giving up the substance, but about reinventing ourselves and rediscovering who we are in order to redirect our lives toward a higher purpose.

For all those who are struggling right now, I want you to know that you are not alone because there are communities and people like me willing to offer support and understanding without judging you because the key is to seek out those helping hands and surround yourself with those who want the best for us because we all deserve a chance, we all deserve a brighter tomorrow.