Jeren’s Story: From Challenges to Strength
In my life, there have been many experiences that could be considered life-changing. Every new experience was, at one time or another, a first. For better or worse, each one shaped the path my life has taken. Looking back, I see how these moments taught me resilience, hope, and the courage to keep moving forward, even when the future felt uncertain.
I was a little girl who was living in a small village. I grew up with my three sisters, I was a third child, who was thrilled to get new clothes-well, “new” to me. Even thought they were already outgrown by my sisters’ I wore them proudly like they had just come straight from a fashion show. Despite all that, I cherish those days deeply, I wouldn’t want them back, but they’re the sweetest days in my memories. I clearly remember buying my favorite toy at 10 years old, using money I earned from picking cotton-it made it feel extra special. Days kept repeating, blending into one another. From the age of ten, work became our fate. Despite everyone in the village living similar lives, I never felt truly connected to that place, I always felt there was more waiting for me beyond that life.
After graduating from high school, I started working while also taking courses to build my future. Despite my parents’ financial situation, I applied to college. Even though I prepared for that college for four years, I was not accepted because I didn’t have the money that had to be paid in advance as a “gift”. At the moment I realized that this country was not part of my future, and that art was not the talent God had chosen for me. Then, at the age of 21, I married a beautiful man who changed my life. Marriage marked the beginning of a new chapter, one that would take me far beyond everything I had ever known.
Marriage opened the door to a new life, but it also brought unexpected challenges. Feeling sad but hopeful, after getting married, I packed my suitcase and set off on a risky journey to a faraway place. After a long journey, I finally arrived here with English that was far from perfect. Adapting to another country often requires a deep re-evaluation of one’s cultural identity, which can be one of the most challenging parts of the journey. Everything was changing so fast, and everything around me felt new and overwhelming. The language people spoke, the way they lived, and their customs felt unfamiliar and difficult to understand. During this period, becoming a mother far from my family also brought emotional challenges, including postpartum depression, which deeply tested my strength. With time, I began to understand that these struggles were shaping me, not breaking me.
Little by little, I began to find meaning within the challenges I faced. Adapting to a new world was not easy, but each difficulty taught me patience, resilience, and compassion. As I grew stronger, I realized that my experiences could also help others. Through free online English classes, I teach and support girls living in Turkmenistan, helping them gain confidence and new opportunities. In supporting others who face similar struggles, I discovered a renewed sense of purpose and strength within myself. But I know I still have a lot more to learn and have many more challenges that may cause me to give up but I firmly believe that I can go through everything for my loved ones and for my dreams. I promise to myself that I will prepare for university, successfully complete my studies, and build a stable future by finding a meaningful job, stand my own feet, and turn all my challenges into strength.
Ross Catterton – “My Window”
“The project was both an honor and a challenge. As a lyricist, I use words as art, not only communicating a message, but also to create imagery and evoke emotion. Having spoken with Jeren and listening to her story, moving to a new place with a language barrier . . . has further opened my eyes that as humans we should never forget that we’re connected by more than just words.”
Ross Catterton – Bio
Ross Catterton, 40, an Appleton native, has been playing professionally since the age of 16. Originally a saxophone performance major at Lawrence University, he has since branched out and become one of the area’s most well known singer-songwriters. He has received numerous WAMI nominations for saxophone, guitar, male vocalist of the year, performer of the year and artist of the year and has shared the stage with legends like Benny Golson, Toto, and America. His music is eclectic, directed more so at taking the listener somewhere than adhering to a particular genre.