Today we visited St Anthony- Mary’s child mission home for teen mothers founded by Father Paul Walsh. It’s a nice building and yard that houses on an average of 20 teenage young ladies that have been either neglected, abused, raped or abandoned. The administrative caretaker, Ms. Nadia Williams told us that Mary’s Child is one of the network of organizations run by Mustard Seed that serves and protects the most vulnerable populations in several countries. Their goal is to provide, legal, educational, emotional and medical support for these teens who are seemingly forgotten. But here these young women are taught to be good parents and how to take care of themselves.
They have a computer lab with 8 computers, a sewing machine room with 8 machines, a full kitchen for home economics, one washing machine and now the gardens we are assisting with building, tilling soil–soil, not dirt–and planting vegetables. At Mary’s Child, they function as a family learning to cook, clean, participating in religious activities (Catholic to be specific) and tending to their babies’ every need. In this mission home nothing is done for them. The teens are required to do everything themselves with a bit of guidance from adults who experienced in what it is they’re doing, that they referred to as mother.
I remember when I first found out I was a dad, I was confused and nervous. My mom was determined for me to figure it out. My first thoughts were money and how to get it fast. I see how lucky I am now. My mother can sometimes be tough on me. She is a single parent, raising me and my siblings with very little support. My responsibilities like the teens we are meeting are very different from just any teen. We have to really think about what we are going to do each day with a plan in mind that helps us support our children. Not having money is scary enough when its just you, but that fear triples when you think about your children. I can’t say at this point that I totally understand what my mother is thinking and feeling, but each day some of the things I deal with makes it make more sense. I’m happy I was able to discover a love for baking because I am good at it. The discovery that I could bake, helped me to sell my baked goods at my school. Baking led me to discover that I could cook, change diapers and find solutions to some of my daily challenges including staying in school and maintaining a B average.
I am an entrepreneur. I never thought about it like that until now. Challenge-Resources-Solutions, is what we are learning while here in Jamaica. I was able to do that for myself with thinking about it in that way on purpose. Its a challenge for me to get homework done with the responsibilities of being a dad. This opportunity has helped me see another perspective and how not all families will help you. I realize more each day how fortunate I am to have a mom who pushes me and holds me accountable. We don’t always think the same, but I know she is there for me.
Working here with the teens that live at the mission, I get to see the women’s side of parenting. I hope by talking to the teen moms I can inspire them in some way. I want them to know that they can still discover things about themselves that can help them continue to learn and grow and support their children.
Deni M., Paul International Public Charter School