At just 24 years old, she is already the backbone of a family of six. A single mother of
two young children, she also shoulders the responsibility of raising her younger
brother and sister, following the heartbreaking loss of her mother. Her story is one of
quiet strength, sacrifice, and an unshakable will to overcome adversity. A story she
has chosen to share anonymously, in hopes of inspiring other young mothers who
might be facing similar battles.
“I got pregnant at 16. I didn’t know what to do,” she recalls. “My partner was there,
but we were young. I was afraid. I didn’t know how my family would take it.” When
she finally told her mother, the reaction wasn’t what she feared. “She didn’t take it as
a bad thing. She told me to look at it positively. That gave me strength.”
Though her first partner supported her initially, their relationship eventually ended.
She later met someone new, and a second child followed, but this time, the situation
was far more difficult. “The father of my second child wasn’t serious about us. After
the baby was born, we separated, too.”
As if raising two children alone wasn’t challenging enough, she lost her mother at the
age of 21, a turning point that reshaped her life. “It changed everything. I had to take
responsibility for my younger brother and sister. Suddenly, I was taking care of four
children.”
With her children aged six and one, and her siblings relying on her for guidance and
support, she had to grow up fast. “It hasn’t been easy,” she admits. “Many people
have helped me along the way, especially my grandmother, but it’s still hard.”
Today, they all live under one roof at her grandmother’s house in Pascal Village.
Though grateful for the shelter, she dreams of having a space of her own one day. A
real home for her and the children she now raises.
She works at the Savoy Hotel, managing long shifts to provide for her family. But her
aspirations don’t stop there. “I want to go back to school,” she says. “I had to stop my
education when life got complicated, but I haven’t given up on it. Right now, it’s
financially difficult, but one day, I’ll finish my studies.”
Above all, she wants her children to grow up with opportunities and happiness. “I
want to build a better future for them. They deserve joy and stability. That’s what
keeps me going.”
To the many young women across Seychelles who may feel overwhelmed or alone,
she has a message: “Don’t be afraid to ask for help. It’s not easy, but you’re not alone.
Keep pushing forward and don’t give up.”
Her journey is far from over, but it is already a testament to courage. In the face of
hardship, she has become a provider, a protector, and a pillar of strength for four
young lives. She may remain anonymous, but her story speaks louder than any name
ever could.
