A young woman tells her remarkable story
WHERE someone calls home shapes that person a great deal. It also impacts their personal struggles, shifts, challenges and changes. This week the Pepperpot Magazine ventured into the charming little village of Clonbrooke on the East Coast of Demerara. There, we met a family with an interesting story of strength, resilience and the faith it takes to move forward.
The family originally came from Unity. Michael Harvey and his family have lived in Clonbrooke for just around nine years. Michael explained that the family came to live in Clonbrooke because they saw it as a good opportunity. The father of five and grandfather of one says that working and living in an area like Clonbrooke is getting increasingly hard. Harvey, who works in construction, makes the daily commute to Diamond on the East Bank to work.
The greatest battle the family is fighting, however, is healing from a horrific occurrence faced by Michael’s daughter, Natasha, who was just 15 years old when she experienced something not many would be able to move past. “There was an incident that happened in the community. I was raped.” She stated, opening up to the Pepperpot Magazine. It profoundly affected every other aspect of her life in the following years. It altered the course of her life and severely impacted the family. But Natasha was determined to move forward and flourish.
Although the incident has had a personal impact on Natasha and the family, she stated that it has also had somewhat of a social impact where the family feels they are viewed differently now. She and her father explain that they would rather people move on as the family has tried to do since Natasha was set on not letting the incident ruin her life. After years of ongoing court cases and numerous hearings, Natasha is finally taking steps away from her past. Today, she is married and is the mother of a beautiful baby girl. Both she and her father said that moving on took strength and a whole deal of faith.
Natasha urges young women to be well aware of the people around them, citing that the people close to them are just as harmful as strangers. She explained that knowing the people around you is important because you may not know what they are capable of. “Know the kind of people you put yourself with.” she stated. Today, Natasha is just as happy and jovial as he has ever been. She somehow has managed to remain optimistic and fun-loving showing the world that getting past anything is possible. She has moved away from the village of Clonbrooke, but she often returns to spend time with her family. The close-knit family is extremely supportive and protective of each other.
Her family, particularly her parents, are also moving forward. Three months ago, Natasha gave birth to Michael’s first grandchild and it was the happiest moment of his life. “I feel happy about being a grandfather for the first time,” Michael said. Both Natasha and her parents express that they are as protective of the family’s newest addition as much as possible. It was however a bit daunting for the family given their past trauma. “I was scared when she got the baby. Her mother and I did not sleep that night,” he stated.
“It was scary at first when I got pregnant,” Natasha said, too. She is, however, happy today with the birth of her daughter and her first steps into motherhood. “But I thank God I came out if it safe. And so far, it’s going good,” she told the Pepperpot Magazine. “I live in Golden Grove with my husband,” Natasha said, adding that although her past will always be a part of her, it by no means has to stop her. Today, she had a family of her own to love and protect. Natasha is the definition of strength, perseverance and what the support of a family can accomplish.
