DEAR PASTOR,
I am writing this letter with pain in my heart. I am feeling very depressed at this time. I am in my mid 30s and I am the mother of two children. Their father is overseas. I work as a domestic helper, but find it very hard surviving. The father of the children is a very abusive person and a womaniser. My daughter is the second child for him. He now has seven children with four mothers and a different woman as his wife. I hardly get anything from him for the children, yet if I talk to another man he would abuse me. I decided to end the relationship in 2002 and he sharpened his machete to kill me and the children.
This is when his sister helped him to England. Since he has left it is very hard. Three months after leaving he sent 50 pounds to his mother for the children. His mother does not like me because I have called the police on him, so you can imagine they offer no help to the children.
I am a past student of Knox. I did four years there but dropped out because my parents were unable to continue sending me there. I started HEART but had to stop as I had nowhere to live. I applied and passed the test for the Jamaica Constabulary Force, but after getting the date and everything, I was turned down as I had an altercation with a young lady some years earlier. I try very hard, yet I am not able to make ends meet. I am a member of a broken family of nine. I have been isolated as I am not in a position to give them money. Of my eight brothers and sisters only two really talk to me.
I work for people who hardly speak to me. If I am not needed, no one talks to me. My children are suffering because the same way my relatives treat me, they treat them. I am not home with them as I work out so they stay with my parents most of the time. My son is doing very well in school, although he is only six. He is the monitor for his class. I have not been able to buy his text books and his teacher says he is doing very well so I should try and buy them. My daughter goes to senior school next year. She has not yet got any of her G.SAT books.
I am fed up. I do not know what to do again. I have no friends. I live at a rent house. Both children need clothes and shoes. I need some assistance for them. I really need some help and advice. I would like a skill. I know I have the potential to make myself proud.
I am tired of being used and abused. Can someone help us? Thanks in advance for taking the time to read my letter. God bless you!
J.F., Clarendon, Jamaica
Dear J.F.,
I published your letter with the hope that someone will be willing to assist you. As I read your letter I wondered whether or not you attend church. Churches are quite happy to assist persons like you. Anyway, I truly hope that readers will offer some financial assistance to you.
Anyone who is willing to help you should send such contribution to the Gleaner Company.
Pastor
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