Chronicles of an Inspired Single Mom

There’s a trend that I see on various social media platforms, how it started-how it’s going. Now I don’t make it a habit to follow trends but today I will share my educational journey in this light.

Greetings my lovelies and thanks for returning yet another week for what I hope will be, another insightful blog post.

A week ago I attended my graduation from The Open University UK and I did so whilst at work. It was a virtual event and it seemed fitting since I attended University virtually for the last 3 and 1/2 years. My journey to attaining this degree didn’t come easily and at times I felt it wouldn’t even be a possibility. But here I am today certificate in hand and a few letters attached to my name.

My educational foundation must be attributed to 4 different primary schools (3 of which no longer exist because of volcanic activity)on the lovely isle of Montserrat. My secondary and tertiary achievements were attained at the island’s lone Secondary School and Community College. I sat 9 O’Levels or GCSE’s and passed 7. I later did a resist for my Math which I had failed and passed this time thankfully. In college I attained a Diploma in Business Studies after passing 6 units.

Two years after completing my studies at the Montserrat Community College I found myself walking the halls of the Sir Arthur Community College in St. Lucia. Been accepted into that institution and being able to afford the tuition is a testimony of God’s unmerited favour and a mother who had enough faith for the both of us. You see when I got accepted into Teacher’s college the program started in two weeks and I had to either accept or decline and if I did accept then I would have to find my own accommodation, figure out tuition and a book a flight to a land where I knew nobody at the time. I laugh when I say this now but my mom sat in the P.S of Education’s office at the time and demanded that they speak to her,(they had to give the okay for me to leave my then post as untrained teacher so I could attend Teacher’s college) she later called the bank after hours and ask them to please open up so she could get money from her bank account and finally made a call our friendly and or so patient travel agent to whisk up a miracle to change a flight that I had booked for my summer vacation so that I could travel to St. Lucia the next day.

When I got to St. Lucia I had no idea if I would get a scholarship and coincidentally this was the same year my government decided they were cutting scholarships and would only add three recipients to the list they already had. Momma said to me “listen whether or not you get the scholarship you will finish your studies. I will take a loan for you to finish school if needs be, because you’re not coming back here until you finish what you’ve started”.

People! When I tell you I have the best mother in the world.🥰 What was most extraordinary about this is that the same year my mom started her degree through the University of the West Indies (of which she graduated this year. I am super proud!!!) If I tell all of this story this blog will turn into a novel. Mommy just know I love and appreciate you dearly.

Fast forward to 2015. By this time I was working in the bank(I explained how I got here in my previous blog post) and September of that year, I enrolled in the University of the West Indies. I was elated. I did well the first semester passing both courses and was half way into the second semester when I became pregnant with my son. A girl just can’t catch a break boy😫 I was already struggling between work, studying and raising my daughter. How was I going to add a baby to the mix. That’s when I decided to start over yes rip up my plan and start again. So off to the unknown I headed in pursuit of a better me.

My dad; a man of many wise words(bless him) called me and told me he needed to speak to me before I left for England. He spoke these words that have impacted my life immensely. he said to me “Kamille it’s not how you start but how you finish.”

Those words have radiated my soul. On the days when I wanted to give up, those times I didn’t understand an assignment or felt maybe I made a mistake moving to England to pursue academic excellence. “It’s not how you start but how you finish, kept me going.

I didn’t foresee being in England and studying online. I had applied to a few universities. In fact I remember going to a University(I will refrain from stating the name) with my baby in his pushchair. As I tried to get through the revolving doors, nobody helped me, they watched me with disdain, the receptionist wasn’t very friendly and just handed me a prospectus and sent me on my way. But I didn’t let that deter me. When I couldn’t get a scholarship, I didn’t let that stop me either I took out a loan to cover the first few years of my degree. I was going to achieve this goal if not for me for my children,

When I felt like giving up God sent loving friends and family who constantly checked on me, many times enquiring ‘how are your assignments coming or what course are you doing now?” Sometimes I wanted to scream leave me alone please leave me alone! God sent me prayer partners to pray me through and one would give me a word that took me through my final semester “You Will Finish Strong!’

My Godmother constantly reminded me “sweetie let nothing your confidence shake.” I’m glad I was able to shake off what was and make the necessary steps to get to my now. Proud was the word of the day when my close circle attended my virtual graduation, some more proud of my achievement than I was.

19 and pregnant. Written off by some. Disappointment to others. Yet still I rise. My story doesn’t end here oh no. My mom reminded me this week, “you said you’re going to do your Masters” I am currently doing a level 3 and 4 course so I have the prerequisite knowledge for the Masters course I intend to pursue next year, because I will finish what I’ve started.

So my dear readers. I don’t know your story. But whatever you put your mind to you can achieve it. As the old proverb says “where there is a will, there is a way!” You can do it. Let nothing and nobody deter you. So if you started towards a goal and stopped, get up, dust off and go be excellent.

To all who’ve helped me get to this point I say thank you so much.

Until next post…Besos😘