AOP: What was it like moving from Venezuela to the U.S. as a family, and how has that shaped you as a mom?
Cleyser: Eduardo and I grew up in a very close family, surrounded by cousins and grandparents. One of my biggest concerns was to raise my two children away from their relatives.
However, we are blessed because my husband’s aunts (they live in Atlanta) have been a big support. We are thankful for them because Elena and Dani have experienced the extended family love, and we all have felt a sense of belonging here in the States.
Like the Auburn Tigers, my family is a tight-knit team; we embrace change together, perhaps coping in different ways, but always counting on each other unconditionally.
AOP: How do you keep your Venezuelan culture alive at home with your kids?
Cleyser: At home, we speak Spanish all the time, which has perhaps been harder for Dani because his first language at day care here was English. But he knows the rules. At times, he gets away with speaking Spanglish.
FaceTime with our family in Venezuela and Spain is part of our family routine. So the kids are exposed to the language on a daily basis and to the culture, mainly through eating Venezuelan food (arepas, empanadas, tequeños). Eduardo’s love language is to prepare delicious Venezuelan dishes for us on the weekends.
We listen to Latin music in the car and watch movies in Spanish. But I would say that, for my kids, the real culture-immersion experience has happened in the last two summers, when we were able to visit our family in Venezuela first and then in Spain.
AOP: What has been the most rewarding part of raising your kids in a new country?
Cleyser: The most satisfying part, without a doubt have been seeing their ability to adapt to new changes. It wasn’t just a different country with four different seasons — it was a new language and being the new kid in many schools. They make us so proud! Both of them are brave and self-confident, but at the same time, they are humble and respectful of others.
The best gift that we have given them by moving here is the opportunity to see the world from a more global perspective, and the ability to communicate in two languages, and with that, the beauty to love and respect two different cultures. Raising good children is essential to creating resilient, empathetic adults capable of having positive relationships.
AOP: How did pickleball become part of your family’s life?
Cleyser: Tennis was always one of Eduardo’s favorite sports — when he found out about pickleball, it became the what-if? In his curiosity, he discovered not only a new favorite sport but a club and community that changed him and our family.
Auburn Pickleball Club became a close community where we feel a sense of belonging. It doesn’t matter if you’re a beginner or advanced, you’ll always be welcome! It’s not just a game, paddles, and serving rules; it’s the camaraderie and good energy that make pickleball a sport that unites people. That inspired me to start playing too. Soon, our children joined us, and now we are a committed pickleball family.
AOP: What has motherhood taught you about resilience and adaptability?
Cleyser: I think that being a mother gives me superpowers, powers that I never knew I had. I would say that resilience and bravery are the first ones in line. I, like most mothers for their kids, play many roles: a nurse, a psychologist, a cook, a cheerleader, a trainer, a driver, and much more. No matter what, I drive my kids to sports practices and games. I cheer them up, winning or losing. Being a mother can be chaotic and exhausting, but I love it!
AOP: What advice would you give another mom about starting over in a new place or country?
Cleyser: Flexibility and adaptability are the keys. It will be difficult at first; you will have to make many sacrifices, and you may even lose yourself along the way as you keep going and experiencing new things every day.
My advice is to reach out for help; you are not alone, and there are always people and communities willing to support you. One day at a time, everything passes, and in the end, it will all be worth it. You and your kids will look back and appreciate the learning experience and feel proud of all the accomplishments. You can do it! Tú puedes hacerlo, mamá!
Rapid Fire Questions
- Favorite Venezuelan Dish? Arepas
- Take out or home-cooked meal? Home-cooked meal
- Power of invisibility or supersonic hearing? Power of invisibility
- Best part of living in Auburn? Pickleball
- One word to describe yourself? Mom
Cleyser Orta and her husband, Eduardo, have been married for 18 years and have two children. Elena is 15, an outstanding student and a member of the tennis team at school. Daniel is 11. He is curious and kind, loves Legos, reading, and playing pickleball — especially with his dad.
The Ortas are one of the many Venezuelan families who immigrated from their beautiful country due to a political situation. They are officially American Residents and working diligently to become American Citizens.
Cleyser currently works in the construction industry as a Scheduling Coordinator, and Eduardo is a chef and currently works as the general manager of a restaurant.
Author: Staff
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