ROAD TOWN, Tortola, BVI - VINO sat down with the mother of five at her Free Bottom home on Saturday April 7, 2011 as she mused over a four-year nightmare when four of her children were taken away from her some 15 years ago.

Ms. Brewley, who was never married, admitted that the fathers of her five children failed to financially support her or the children.

“So I had to do odd jobs to make ends meet for my children,” she admitted.

However, after bearing the brunt of being the breadwinner of five kids, Ms. Brewley had reached the breaking point. The kids were attending school irregularly and were not eating well.

One of her daughters, who sat with her during the interview, disclosed it was guidance counsellors that questioned them and after assessing the situation it was decided they should be removed from the home. For four years, the children were staying at the Rainbow Children’s Home.

This grey time in her life left Ms. Brewley feeling as though she was not a fit mother.

“I tried to be honest, I never had a proper education so it was difficult for me…It was hard for me because I was financially, emotionally and mentally a mess. It was the social workers at the Social Development Department that urged me to undergo counselling which helped,” she divulged.

It was during those sessions that helped Ms. Brewley better able to focus on the positive and with the help of social workers; she was able to secure a more stable job which generated more income.

Finally, in 2000/2001 she was able to get back her children and according to her “it was the best moment of my life.”

Since then, the determined mother was able to ensure her children were well maintained and is pleased with the end product. While her eldest daughter is overseas, two others are students at the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC), one works at Banco Popular and her 18-year-old son is also a student at HLSCC.

“I am so proud of them all,” she gushed. “Knowing what they had to go through. Our relationship is much stronger now, although we still have our ups and downs.”

Now Ms. Brewley works in the Housekeeping Department at the Moorings and is the proud grandmother of five.

“So now I have 10 children,” she said with a smile.

VINO takes the time to salute Ms. Brewley for being a strong mother and wish her along with every mother, a Happy Mother’s Day.

Article taken from Virgin Islands News Online - http://www.virginislandsnewsonline.com