My Blessings

Viviana Herrera is a 25-year-old single mother in Bowling Green, Ky., who immigrated from Medellin, Columbia six years ago with her mother and seven other brothers and sisters. Before moving out of Columbia, Herrera's fiancé was killed when she was only 16 years old and pregnant with Jackeline.  Her father was a successful lawyer and was also killed, forcing her and her family to flee, eventually coming to the United States. Viviana remains one of the main breadwinners for the family as she raises her kids in the same four-bedroom apartment as her mother and five other brothers and sisters.

Viviana Herrera walks with her children, Mateo (left), 6, and Jackeline (right) 8, in downtown Bowling Green, Ky., on their way to church.

Herrera has held a full-time position as a medical assistant at Dr. Embry's Neighborhood Clinic for almost two years where she does everything from taking blood pressures to filing paperwork. Despite such a large family and financial burden, Herrera does her part to take care of not only her own children but her brothers and sisters as well. "Each one is an important part of my life," Herrera said. 

After work Herrera cleans the room that she shares with her children. Herrera and her children have lived in the same four-bedroom apartment with her six other relatives since they arrived in Bowling Green. Herrera has recently applied for an apartment of her own. "I need my space and my children need their own rooms," Herrera said.

Herrera spends few moments alone in the full house as she blow-dries her hair in the bathroom before work. 

Pahola, Herrera's 17-year-old sister, does Jackeline's hair while she takes a nap after a long day at work. 

Jackeline, 8, caught her nephew, Jayden, 1, before he managed to run outside. Because of the many kids, they are sometimes forced to watch each other.

Enjoying time off and out of the house, Herrera and her kids play together at the park on a Sunday afternoon after church. 

Viviana and her family and friends celebrate Jackeline's 9th birthday on May 10, 2010.  "I feel blessed," Herrera said of her children.  "They are my everything -- the reason I get up in the morning."