I am Blessing, born in 2010. I am the eldest of two siblings. My younger sister died as a result of neglect and physical abuse at the hands of our grandmother. My mother passed away when I was still a minor, leaving us under the care of my maternal grandmother, who provided us with a stable and nurturing environment. Subsequently, my grandmother also passed away, leaving us in the care of her sister who was still our grandmother by extension. The quality of care provided by this grandmother was such that it contributed to the death of my younger sister. She would physically assault us and withhold sustenance, resulting in us going without food on a near-nightly basis. The demise of my sister had a profound impact on my emotional and psychological well-being, effectively altering the course of my life.

       I was compelled to engage in strenuous household chores, as well as on the family farm. My responsibilities included collecting and splitting firewood, laundering the family’s clothes, and tilling the farm. Furthermore, I was not as consistent in my academic pursuits as I should have been, which ultimately led to my underperformance. My grandmother would punish me for small mistakes by burning my body with heated metal. The resulting injuries, including burns and assault scars, left me with a profound sense of self-hate. I attempted to end my life on multiple occasions in an effort to escape the pain I was enduring, yet my suicidal ideations never materialized. On other occasions, I sought refuge in the neighborhood, but my presence was met with threats. With the assistance of neighbors and well-wishers, I was able to secure admission to the St. Rose Rescue Centre for Girls in St. Martin.

        At that time, I experienced feelings of rejection and a fear of undergoing a similar experience in the new family. I was unable to trust anyone. I was prone to emotional outbursts, the cause of which was unclear. I was gratified to find that the teachers and other girls at St. Rose, who were also admitted for care and protection, extended a warm welcome. Furthermore, they prepared my bed for me that night and provided reassurance regarding my safety. I was taken to the hospital due to malnourishment, but with time, my health improved. As a result of the daily debriefings and counseling sessions provided at the Center, I began to accept myself. Additionally, I was able to forgive my grandmother, although this process took some time. I was able to engage in conversation without fear, my social interactions became more positive, and I began to excel academically. The teachers at the Centre provided invaluable assistance with my studies, which contributed to my improved performance. I acquired a range of skills through the Centre’s practical activities. Among these, I found the most enjoyment in mat-making, beadwork, bottle decoration, and baking. My time at the Centre was characterized by a sense of stability and contentment. However, I experienced a certain degree of apprehension when the teachers emphasized that we would eventually be returned to our communities. I was unprepared to depart from the Centre, as it had become a source of stability and support during a period of significant transition. I recall one occasion when my stepmother visited the office and expressed a desire to see me. She asserted that she had no regrets about her actions, stating that she was merely correcting me. She demanded that I return to support her child, who was living with a disability. I was unprepared to resume my relationship with her after becoming aware of her bad intentions. She proposed that I stay with a relative, but unfortunately, there was no other relative apart from her and her children who had also mistreated me. At that juncture, I was queried as to my preference, and I indicated that I was ready to stay with any other individual, but that I was not inclined to do so with my grandmother. I was queried as to my opinion regarding fostering, and I indicated that I had no objection. I was prepared for fostering by the staff, who facilitated my reintegration with a foster parent who is caring and loving. I refer to her as “my mother.” She provided transportation to school, and I am currently in the fifth grade, performing satisfactorily in my academic pursuits. I am grateful to the kind neighbors who provided me with shelter and assistance when I was experiencing distress and had lost hope. The teachers and students at St. Rose School played an instrumental role in restoring my sense of dignity and hope for the future. My current mother is an exemplary figure, and I am currently pursuing my long-held ambition of becoming a teacher.