AFTER 10 YEARS WORKING IN THE FIELDS AT ARGENTE TEA FIELD, SEBASTIAN VILLAN SET OUT TO ACHIEVE HIS DREAM OF A DIFFERENT FUTURE FOR HIMSELF AND HIS FAMILY. HERE HE SHARES HIS STORY.
Words: Sebastian Villan
For thirteen and a half years, I was a farm worker at Argente tea field, performing tasks such as planting tea, cleaning, and carrying heavy leaf bags to the lorry. But i had always dreamed of doing more. So, in 2016, I challenged myself to pursue the degree of advanced technician in occupational health and safety in San Ignacio, a small town in the province of Misiones.
I sacrificed a lot to study over three years and I had to balance work, study, and spending time with my three year old daughter. The days were hard. After leaving home at half five, I would travel to the farm, work hard all morning, study on my lunch break before going back to work. After work I’d get on the bus to attend class when all I wanted to do was spend time with my daughter. There were days where we had to do homework or prepare papers for the next class and I knew that I would have to make the most of the short time available during the week or work over the weekend.
During three years of study, I was helped enormously by “my angels” – my mother and daughter. As hard as it was, they were the reason why I kept on fighting for my dream. In 2019, I graduated and now work as a Health and Safety Analyst at Casa Fuentes. I couldn’t be happier.
So was it all worth it? The answer is yes. Today I believe there are no obstacles if we are committed to a dream. No matter your age, you can change the course of your future. Thanks to all this effort, and the opportunity Finlays has given me, I am now able to say I had fulfilled my goal, my biggest dream. In 2020 I am going to continue my journey pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Health and Safety. I don’t believe in the popular quote “there is no time”.
We just need to decide how to use it.
