There are challenges everywhere. Some people may argue that challenges are simply hurdles that come and move on. But some othets see them as important devices in shaping the human spirit, like Devika Singh, who says that not only has she learnt from her share of adversities, but the ups and downs of life have made her into the woman she is today.

In the village of Maida, East of the Berbice River, lives Devika Singh. The mother of three chronicled her life story to the Pepperpot Magazine. She grew up as the first daughter in her humble family. Devika strived to have a better life for herself at an early age despite not having been dealt the best hand.

After leaving school by the age of fourteen, she ran away and into marriage just a year later at the age of fifteen. Devika sought to change her life drastically from the one she knew. However, Devika said the only change that needed to be made was changing the way she saw the world.

Devika was born and raised in Number 70 Village and has always known Berbice as home for the past 54 years. She had humble beginnings with the modest earnings her mother brought into the household. Devika’s father was not a part of the picture when she was growing up, and her mother worked to support Devika and her three other siblings. Her brother later took on the responsibility of providing for the family. But this also caused friction in the family, and before she entered the Fifth Form of high school, Devika dropped out.

She explained that her decision to leave was driven largely by her family’s inability to provide for her. Devika stated that as she entered her teenage years, she realised and understood her family’s financial situation. She shared that, “At the time, I was facing some pressure at home. My father left, and I stayed with my mother. My brother used to work and take care of us. But I looked at the other children. They had socks and shoes, and I went to school with slippers,” Devika said.

At 15, Devika met her husband. Her mother was never in favour of the pair getting married. But despite her mother’s protest, Devika ran away to begin a new life with her husband. Although she had not ventured far from her family, her new living situations were drastically different from the life she knew. “I left thinking I would have been better with him. That was the worst decision I ever made in my life,” Devika said.

Although Devika admits now that leaving her family at the time, and in the way she did, was a bad decision, she also said that she felt she had no other choice. Devika came from a home where the relationship with her brother was damaged to a marriage where she and her husband never really communicated. Her life was not simple, she said, nor was it easy.

For the period after she left home and became pregnant with her first child, Devika lived with her husband’s family. This is where she says she realised more difficulties that life would present. She suffered physical abuse at the hands of her eldest brother and emotional and mental abuse from her husband. But her highest hurdle was yet to come. She shared that, “I never reached things easy. My life was never easy because of the things that I went through.”

After living together for more than 25 years, Devika and her husband separated after she began battling health issues. Several years ago, Devika became ill. She was unable to work or care for herself. This was a pivotal moment in her life and the moment that her husband walked out of her life. As destitute as the situation seemed, Devika was thankful for the experience. It altered her life in a way that she sees as necessary. She said that, “Sometimes, something has to happen in your life to make you change.”

Devika is the embodiment of faith. Regardless of the years of struggle that she has seen and experienced, she remains ever jovial. Whereas many people may think of life challenges as setbacks, Devika sees them as stepping stones and situations to be learned from.

Today, Devika runs a blossoming lumber yard in the village of Maida. She has seen a full recovery health-wise, and he says that business is on a steady road to growth. Devika says she is far happier than she has ever been and sees her life getting better in the coming years. Devika is determined to continue to be a positive influence on others and urges others to use challenges as stepping stones.