Topics: Family

Change is never easy, especially when it is imposed upon us. In this story Thelma relates how she was able to adjust and adapt to a whole new life in a new country.

When she wanted to make a change in her life, this middle-aged woman chose to go for it and travel to Yucatan, Mexico!

Lucia made this story for a series of workshops on education sponsored by the Boston YWCA. She uses the piece frequently in her work as a community organizer to stimulate dialogue among parents about participation in the school system.

Andrea tells the story of engaging with protestors outside of a photography exhibit of LGBT families and contemplates how they can have such different understandings of God.

Liv fondly recalls her memories of growing up with her older brother -- and how her perspective has changed as an adult.

At age 10, Sarah wrote a letter to the court requesting to live with her mother instead of her father whose anger scared her. The court did not respond. Her story shares her experience and frustration with a court system that fails to acknowledge the needs and desires of the children it is supposed to be protecting.

Mamonyake is from Lesotho and has been married and widowed twice – both with husbands who worked as miners in South Africa. She struggled to raise her children on her own and is involved in advocacy efforts on behalf of others widowed or orphaned due to the mining industry.

As a young boy growing up during the Apartheid years in South Africa, Mhlangabezi rarely saw his father, who worked in the city to support the family.  When his father passed away, life got even harder, and Mhlangabezi had to give up his dream of tertiary education.  While he finds glimpses of happiness, he wonders today if the sun will ever come out and give light to his hopes for the future.

Essence created this story as a tribute to her grandmother, who stood by her and supported her throughout the rough times.