JULIEANNA Chichester was born and raised in the village of Cottage, a small farming community in rural Mahaicony. She was brought up in a loving family, surrounded by a supportive community, and experienced the best of life in the countryside. Julieanna described her childhood as simply picturesque. Her journey through life was not as easy as it may seem, but regardless of her ups, downs, challenges, and mistakes, Julieanna has truly become the embodiment of the spirit of resilience.

Growing Up In Cottage
Julieanna was born and raised in the community of Cottage. The quiet and reserved 20-year-old says she has always found solace in being alone. Her upbringing is a familiar one to anyone who comes from the countryside: sun-filled days running through farms and climbing fruit trees. Julieanna believes her love for nature and natural inclination to stay indoors were forged by her upbringing. “I remember playing in the yard all around, climbing from tree to tree, but a lot of trees were cut down,” she said, adding, “My childhood and growing up was around family at home.”

For most of her childhood, Julieanna was the last child and only daughter in her family. The early years, she says, were the best. Her family was happy and so was she. A few years later, however, her parents separated. Their separation tore the family apart and had a profound impact on each child in one way or another. She stated that, “My family was a happy family until the separation from my mom and dad. And when I wrote my exams, everyone separated. My brother went here and there.” The situation’s impact on the family was so drastic it was almost chaotic, and Julieanna says she struggles to remember most of her teenage years.

“I was very young when they separated, and I can not remember half of my childhood. “She further explained just how much of an impact it had on her. She vaguely remembers moving back and forth between her parents, going from house to house, but never truly feeling at home. “At one time when they separated, I used to be with mom, and then I would be with my dad.” She said. Whereas she felt somewhat lost during that period, she explained that each member of the family had their own individual reactions and ways of dealing with the situation. Her eldest brother was very angry with the situation and harboured plenty of animosity for a long time. She stated, “My big brother used to be this happy person who used to socialise and these things. But when they separated, he just became a whole different person.”

Julieanna eventually returned to live with her father and her older brothers. She does believe that this was the best conclusion the situation could have had. She urged parents never to underestimate the importance of stability within a child’s life. She explained that moving from Mommy’s house to Daddy’s house was as different as two worlds in the mind of a young Julieanna. “When I used to live with my mom, I was what people would call a house bird. I never really went anywhere or mixed with anyone. But with my dad, I could play have fun with my cousins and go swimming and these kinds of things,” she said.

Motherhood
Cottage is the only home that Julieanna has ever known. As in every small, close-knit community, everyone knows Julieanna and she seems to know everyone. The community has remained mostly the same and has seen very little change. Julieanna’s life, however, has undergone a few changes. Julieanna is the mother of a two-year-old son. She got pregnant while still in high school, and although she admits that it was not the best decision, she is determined to give her son the stability and assurance she struggled to find as a child.

At just 17, Julieanna entered into her CXC examinations pregnant. This unique experience garnered a lot of attention from her family. Julieanna and her son’s father subsequently separated. Her experience as a young, first-time mother was not the fairytale that some would imagine. The single most challenging aspect of that time was dealing with people. She explained that she fought to create a good relationship with the father of her son, and today the pair is doing their best at co-parenting. Although Julieanna’s son does not live with his father, he does not lack a father figure. He is shown unlimited love and support from his uncles and grandfather.

The way forward
After completing high school with her son, Julieanna took steps towards developing herself. Today, the young mother has a job and is balancing motherhood and working quite well. Julieanna’s advice to other young women going through a situation similar to hers is to be careful and take life in strides. She said, “All I could say to young women is to take things step by step.” Julieanna has big plans for her and her son’s future. She is devoted to giving her son the best start in life and presenting him with the certainty that he is loved.