Rachael’s life has been shaped by starting over. Raised in extreme isolation and poverty, she grew up without access to formal education, stable housing, or basic necessities many of us take for granted. As a teenager, she made the courageous decision to leave everything she knew behind, stepping into the world alone with little more than determination and hope. Over the years, Rachael rebuilt her life, living in multiple countries, becoming a mother, advocating for her younger sisters’ safety, and opening her home as a foster parent. Each new beginning came with challenges, but also with a belief that her future could be different than her past.
In 2024, Rachael found herself once again starting from scratch in Greenville, working full time on an assembly line while raising her daughter. Knowing education was the key to unlocking her next chapter, she enrolled in GED classes at GLA. Balancing a rotating work schedule, parenting, and studying, she persisted, often listening to textbooks through earbuds during long shifts at work. With the support of GLA’s instructors and staff, Rachael earned her GED and the confidence to dream boldly. She is preparing to join the United States Air Force’s medical pathway with the long-term goal of becoming a pediatric neurologist.
