This I Believe

I believe that the simple acts of kindness, compassion and charity are the ideals that unite Americans and make this country great. That’s why I hope to inspire a wave of giving and, in the process, remind Americans that what unites us is 1,000 times more powerful than what divides us.

I learned the power of giving from my parents. Since age17, it was my father’s dream to move to America and escape the dictatorship of Antonio Salazar, the ruler of Portugal at the time. After 26 years, my father finally got the visas he needed to leave Portugal. He relocated our family to Cambridge, Massachusetts when I was five years old.

My parents left everything to come to America because they believed this was the only country in the world where we would have endless freedom and opportunity. Although my family struggled in the early years, America proved to be everything we dreamt it would be. My parents worked hard to put us kids through college, pay for their own home and instill in us the values of kindness, compassion and charity. I have accomplished so many of my own dreams since moving to the United States, including becoming an American citizen four years ago.

I love this country and all it has to offer each one of us. Every day I try to give something back and I am often amazed at the generosity of my friends, family, neighbors and fellow citizens. Americans have shown kindness, compassion and charity worldwide, but it is what we do at home – locally or nationally – that brings us together as a nation. No matter who we are, where we come from or where we live, these are the common principles that unite us all and guide us to be our best.