A Life Transformed

I am 34 years old and the mother of seven children, three of whom are my own and four are my husband’s. I am presently a trained teacher working at a Primary School located in the inner-city community of Trench Town. I am a God-fearing Christian. I live, work and worship in this community.

I first met Sister Lorna Stanley many years ago when I was a basic school teacher at the Joy Town Learning Centre. At that time, Sister Lorna operated an after-school homework and youth enhancement program there. I secretly observed her intense passion and really admired her devotion to these neglected children. I admired how she could somehow reach the children in her own way. Later, I realized that she was mainly giving these neglected children the love and attention they yearned for.

I secretly yearned to possess the good qualities I saw in this humble woman. I sometimes picked little chats with her to find out more about the person I so secretly admired. She never knew about this until the moment she reads this article. I yearned to be like her and so I tried to pattern some of her actions. In my pursuit to be like her, I decided that I needed formal training. I was arrogant and a very sassy person but with God’s unconditional love and Sister Lorna’s guidance, I gradually changed into the humble person I think I now am.

At this point, I must share with you a remarkable experience I had with Sister Lorna. My eldest step-daughter came to live me at the age of 14 years. To my surprise, I realized that this teenager was unable to identify letter sounds such as “a”, “b” or “c”. This troubled me greatly especially being an educator. I tried to help her but was met with great obstacles as I was working and studying at the same time. I could not send her to any school at her age to get the help she required because I knew she would have been ignored. I discussed the matter with my husband and we decided that our only hope was Sister Lorna. I spoke to her about my concerns and, as was expected, she agreed to help.

Sister Lorna and her team transformed that child from not knowing letter sounds to pronouncing three-letter words in record time. And, she is actually reading now!! One night, I found her reading a story to her younger siblings and I was so overwhelmed with joy I wanted to tell the world. I had to run to the school and spread the good news. I am overjoyed at the strides that she has made with the help of the school. In Awards Presentation of the Restoration Christian School last July, she was awarded “Most Improved Student” overall. This event was televised and in accepting the award both of us cried as she thanked me, her “stepmother” for what I had done. Many people who saw that programme has since told me they were very touched and they, too, cried along with us that night.

Recently, another of my stepdaughters was considered by a regular high school as “lacking the ability to perform at any given level.” I took the child to Sister Lorna’s school for help. She tested her and bluntly refuted that opinion. My child is presently attending the Restoration Christian School and is doing well. Therefore, it is a known fact that Sister Lorna and her team are doing a great job with our children. They are indeed accomplishing much more than what the regular schools are doing.

I can say with an assurance that God has caused Mrs. Stanley to be in this community for my child and many others like her. I can safely speak for all parents in my community when I say that Sister Lorna has touched the lives of both the young and the old. There were times when I didn’t even have bus fare to go to Evening College and I could always rock on Sister Lorna for help. I honestly think she cannot turn a blind eye to someone in need, especially children. God has definitely placed this woman in Trench Town for a special purpose. She is definitely “god-sent” and life in Trench Town would not be the same without her here with us.

Rosmarie Walters

Parent