{"id":10364,"date":"2022-02-12T11:06:26","date_gmt":"2022-02-12T11:06:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/mauritius\/all-news\/priyas-story-from-safe-haven-halfway-home"},"modified":"2022-02-12T12:38:01","modified_gmt":"2022-02-12T12:38:01","slug":"priyas-story-from-safe-haven-halfway-home","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/mauritius\/all-news\/priyas-story-from-safe-haven-halfway-home","title":{"rendered":"Priya’s Story From Safe Haven Halfway Home"},"content":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Mauritius. <\/strong><\/span>My name is Priya and I am 20 years old. I came to Safe Haven Halfway Home in September 2019 after suffering physical and mental abuse from my relatives.<\/p>\n

I was five years old when my mother became pregnant with my little sister. We were all living with my biological father who was an alcoholic at that time.<\/p>\n

As my mother went out to work, I did all household chores including cooking and caring for my little sister. I was just like a mother figure to my little sister.<\/p>\n

A year after my little sister was born, my father committed suicide by setting himself on fire while my family and I had gone for prayers at Grand-Bassin.<\/p>\n

I did not understand what death meant at that age but when my mother explained to me that I would no longer see my father, I was shocked and kept on crying.<\/p>\n

I got a little brother when I was 13 years old and since then, my aim is to provide a good life with the opportunities I did not get to my siblings. My mother had a hard time making ends meet.<\/p>\n

We had to move to my grandparents’ place. I managed to get work as a school van assistant and was happy to see other regions in Mauritius. I also eagerly worked in a hair salon and in a restaurant in the afternoons.<\/p>\n

At my grandmother’s, I did tedious household chores daily and she would insult me whenever I would not give her the little money I earned to buy groceries.<\/p>\n

I realized that my grandmother had a preference for boys who would normally be placed on a pedestal in the household. She did not like me because I was “too dark-skinned”, furthermore we are not biologically related.<\/p>\n

Since I was overworked and burnt out, I developed back and side pains. After some time, we moved in with my stepfather who was a drug addict. I did not feel safe knowing that me and my sister were alone in the house with him while my mother went out to work.<\/p>\n

My dad contributed a negligible amount of money to the household. Around two years ago following various searches to find a dwelling, my mother, little sister and I came across Safe Haven Halfway Home.<\/p>\n

When I first came into Safe Haven, I found it difficult to adapt and was very introverted. However, I was given the opportunity to travel to South Africa to attend a conference on child abuse.<\/p>\n

It was my first time away from home and I was lost during the first four days there, new culture, new language, so many people. I attended a meditation session which proved to be very therapeutic.<\/p>\n

It was an eye-opening experience which made me realize so many things. I decided firmly that I would no longer be shy. I felt determined to make decisions for myself including, changing my way of dressing and speaking.<\/p>\n

I am currently following a hairdressing course and dream of having my own hair salon one day. I am proud of myself because I have done a bridal photoshoot during my course.<\/p>\n

Besides hairstyling, I love drawing, singing, applying “Mehendi” (henna) and listening to songs. These hobbies help me feel less stressed and lonely. Despite my life experiences, I appreciate the fact that I have grown so much over the years.<\/p>\n

My mother was not very supportive but I have learnt how to handle conflicts. I remain very close to my younger siblings. I believe that it is very important to have faith in oneself, courage and perseverance. Although I sometimes feel low, I look in the mirror and remind myself not to give up.<\/p>\n

For More News And Analysis About Mauritius<\/a> Follow Africa-Press<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Mauritius. My name is Priya and I am 20 years old. I came to Safe Haven Halfway Home in September 2019 after suffering physical and mental abuse from my relatives. I was five years old when my mother became pregnant with my little sister. We were all living with my biological father who […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":84,"featured_media":10363,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,8,9,16],"tags":[233,245,241,1698],"class_list":["post-10364","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-all-news","category-homepage-english","category-miscellaneous","category-twitter","tag-africa-press","tag-africa-press-mauritius","tag-mauritius","tag-priya"],"yoast_head":"\nPriya's Story From Safe Haven Halfway Home - Mauritius<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"My name is Priya and I am 20 years old. 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