SOS MOTHERS!
Caregivers in children’s village take on the role of mothering wards
TWENTY-FIVE YEARS ago, Cynthia Strachan resigned her job to become a caregiver at the SOS Children’s Village, and every day since, she has been reminded that it takes patience, dedication, and love to raise a child in residential care. Strachan now has six children assigned to her, and with five teenagers in the mix, there is never a dull moment. “The most hectic time is early morning and in the afternoon because the children are here, so I need to supervise them and help them in what they need. It’s also very busy when we have grocery shopping in the first and second week of every month,” said Strachan.
“I know that they will go off (lose their temper). It’s not all about me,” said the caregiver, who is based at the SOS Children’s Village in Stony Hill, St Andrew.
SOS Jamaica is a private, non-governmental social development organisation founded in 1970 that works with children who have lost parental care under a rights-based approach as defined by the International Convention of the Rights of the Child.
Currently, there are two residential locations in Jamaica, one in Stony Hill and the other in Barrett Town in St James.
Although Strachan is called “Auntie”, her role is really being a mother. Like most, if not all, mothers, she wants the best for her children.
“I am really satisfied with the role I play in their lives because I give them time (and) space. I let them know that the sky is the limit and that they can become whatever they want,” she said.
But her investment is not for nought.
“The payback that we want for all of this is, I tell them, ‘seeing your hard work and your accomplishment pay off in life’. When I see their good grades in their school reports, I congratulate them and encourage the ones that are not doing so well,” added Strachan.
HAPPY TO SEE THEM EXCEL
Her desire to see the best of her wards is shared by 52-yearold caregiver Patricia Tulloch, who has responsibility for a group of children at the SOS Children’s Villages in Barrett Town, St James.
Tulloch says she is satisfied as a mother when she witnesses the wards make progress in their daily lives.
“I knew where they were when I first arrived compared to where they are at now,” said Tulloch, who has been working at the facility for the last six years.
“There is this particular child in my family who has just excelled. She came here when she was just in eighth grade, and I remember during her exams she really put in all the effort and got really good grades,” said Tulloch.
Though both caregivers are at different locations, Tulloch’s day is just as hectic as Strachan’s.
“I start at 5.30 a.m. I prepare breakfast and make sure the girls do their chores,” explained Tulloch, who is responsible for eight girls between the ages of 14 and 19.
Taking care of children in residential care is not devoid of challenges, and both mothers have often been reminded of this.
“You have rough times, you have challenging times, and you have smooth times. But most of all, it has been good. I feel proud of myself, and to see that my children are doing well is a good feeling. You can’t win all the battles, but just knowing that you won some is awesome,” said Strachan.
SOS Children’s Villages is an international organisation with villages in more than 135 countries worldwide.
The goal of SOS Children’s Villages Jamaica is to provide children who have lost parental care with services related to their social development in a residential-care setting to prepare them for a self-sufficient life.
The SOS Children’s Village in Barrett Town has 64 children and 14 youngsters in the youth facility, and the Stony Hill Village cares for approximately 73 children with 28 youngsters at its youth facility.