Pushing ahead in spite of her circumstances
Name: Kinshasia Johnson
Status: Past WCJF Student Location: Kingston Centre
I was only 14 years old. What would people think of me? During that time, I was in third form at Bridgeport High School and I was a motivated, focused, goal-oriented student. But now, I was a student afraid of the disappointments I would bring to others, knowing that I was only 14 and pregnant.
My father was very angry. He used every opportunity he had to express that anger. He is a deacon at a church, and at that time, he was caught between his faith and his pregnant daughter. He chose his faith. As a part of his congregational beliefs, having a daughter who is only 14 and pregnant, you would have two choices; give up your position as a deacon, or sit in the back bench. He was willing to do neither.
That’s when my mother took me in to live with her, even though she was not working. Her unemployment made life difficult, as she now had to take care of a pregnant teen.
I registered to attend the Women’s Centre, but that was also a challenging. There were many times I couldn’t afford bus fare to go to school, and I had to request assistance with financing my bus fare. When I started attending the centre I found out that they had a lunch programme, so we did not have to purchase lunch.
I must admit that the Women’s Centre played a very integral role in my holistic development. The counsellors provided emotional support and they never turned a blind eye or told me that they were too busy to listen. They guided me through the entire process and they still do up to this day.
I conditioned my mind to push forward regardless of my circumstances; but, I could not have overcome them without the assistance I got from the Women’s Centre.
I am currently permanently employed to the Electoral Office of Jamaica as a registration clerk. I am enrolled at the Caribbean Maritime Institute on a part-time basis, where I am pursing a bachelor of science degree in the field of logistics and supply chain management. I am in the process of matriculating to year two in the degree programme. In addition, I am a 2016 Gold ICON awardee, a scholarship which was presented to me by the NCB Foundation. I will continue to represent the Women’s Centre of Jamaica Foundation by sharing my testimony because I am so grateful for all they have done for me.