“I left behind more than my country”
‘Sometimes we could only eat once a day, and then very small amounts. I had to find a way out and maybe help my family that will need it in the future.’
‘I made the decision to come. I cried when I said goodbye to my sister at the terminal. I felt like a void, because you never want to be separated from your loved ones. We had to be brave.’
Cristina travelled across land to reach Peru, a journey that took her 194 hours. She slept in cars, in terminals, or on the floor. But one night, there was no shelter at all. In the cold and rain, she had to wait at the Ecuador border, in the middle of the street until dawn.
‘This was the most difficult time. First, because they would not let my partner and my friend pass. We didn’t have the money to get into Lima. We didn’t have a roof over our heads, no money, no food and nowhere to go. It was very distressing. Nothing like this had ever happened to me.’
With no money and no food, Cristina took the heartbreaking decision to sell her beloved cuatro and guitar. It felt like she was being cut off from the music that had given her hope.
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But that changed when she realised she could make money through singing.
With the help of a church volunteer, Cristina bought back her beloved instrument and started performing her songs.
Now she brings her joy of music to the streets of Peru. Every space can be a stage, as she sings her thanks to the people who have welcomed her into her new home.
‘When I arrived in Peru the first thing I felt was relief. I said “wow!” Finally, after so many days of travel and so many months of dreaming, I am here.’
As you will hear, her catchy audition song explains how the Peruvian people, and the welcome they extended, have inspired her music.
“My friend, my buddy, I have something to say. Those who inspired my music are all those great Peruvian people who welcomed us!”
Cristina’s Venezuelan cuatro was her faithful travelling companion
The distant cousin of the guitar, the cuatro is a stringed instrument beloved in Venezuela. It inspires Cristina’s songs, but on her long road to safety, she nearly lost the music that brought her hope.
Most of Venezuelan folkloric music relies on the cuatro. The most talented musicians can play harmony and melody on the cuatro together, meaning the musical form has evolved over the past five decades to create more versatile sounds.
Some of Venezuela’s most famous cuatro players include Simón Díaz and Fredy Reyna, who took cuatro playing to new heights of innovation.
Cristina’s love of music began with her local choir, where she taught the parish children how to sing. There were lots of instruments and she loved to play the cuatro. She would play and sing at weddings in Venezuela, bringing music and joy to people’s lives.
Discover the meaning behind Cristina's song
Listen to Cristina's playlist
Venezuela
“We left everything in Venezuela”
Economic instability and a lack of opportunity in Venezuela have led to millions of people leaving their country in search of a stable, more secure future. Young mothers and children, the elderly and disabled people are among those leaving, facing many barriers as they do so.
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Hear Tus Huellas – Cristina’s musical thank you to humanitarian workers
TUS HUELLAS is my musical tribute to unsung heroes like Regina at UNHCR — to the humanitarian workers who are helping people like me all over the world. I created this song to honour these brave individuals, to recognise their courage and compassionate hearts that are making such a lasting difference in the lives of migrants and refugees.
