Domestic violence survivor, Las Cruces entrepreneur is now published author

He survived five years of abuse and neglect to become a Doña Ana Community College graduate n and a successful Las Cruces entrepreneur. Now, Marco Olvera is a published author.

His brand-new book, “In the Land of Opportunity,” is available on Amazon.com. Find it at

www.amazon.com/dp/B088N7ZG5D/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_QsPWEbHCHAM51.

In the book, “Marco tracks down the struggle that led to the isolation of his family and the room where he and his brother were held captive for five years,” said Amazon.com. “A journey toward citizenship while living in the shadows and the go-getter work ethic of two friends. Inspired by true events.”

Here is Olvera’s book dedication: “I dedicate this to my mother, my sisters, my brother and the new family to come. I wanted to write our history and rewrite our future. I also dedicate this to the hungry, the lost, dream-seekers and victims of domestic violence who inspired me to finish this story.”

Chapter titles include “Role Models,” “Life in Mexico,” “The United States of America,” “Living with the Enemy,” “April 22^nd, 2007” (the day he and his family escaped years of abuse in Deming), “Working Well Together,” “The Power of Manifestation,” “From La Casa (domestic violence program) to Our Casa,” “United States Citizen” and Going Forward.”

Here’s a short excerpt from the book:
“My mother taught me endurance through these living conditions. There were times when she would come home with nothing. We used to rush her with hugs and kisses, asking if she made any money or if there was any food. When days were tough, the nights seemed to follow. I remember having to split sticks of spearmint gum between the four of us. Those days were just too hard.”

From the ages of 8 and 4, Olvera and his younger brother were kept almost continuously in a small room with the door closed in the family’s home in Deming. The boys were fed and had a toilet, but the windows in their room were sealed shut, they could only take showers once a week and they weren’t allowed to attend school or to celebrate their birthdays or Christmas.

The long-term abuse came at the hands of their mother’s companion, who owned the house they lived in and was the family’s breadwinner.

Olvera credits La Casa, Inc. domestic violence program, where he and his family stayed for about a year after escaping their tormentor, with helping to restore their lives. Now 26, Olvera and close friend and business partner, Isaac Palafox. own a videography business in Las Cruces called Palamora (www.palamora.com and on Facebook).

“I found my way,” said Olvera. A native of Mexico, he became a U.S. citizen at age 21.