Hi, my name is Viergela, and I am Haitian. I am a 22-year-old college student, studying to become a child psychologist. Children are the future, and these early years are the building blocks for healthy-minded adults. I am also a singer and poet.
I grew up in an orphanage in Haiti, called Bresma. I was adopted in 2007 when I was 5 years old. What I remember from the first five years of my life is the number of children there with me. Haiti is a third-world country, and we often didn’t have enough food, water, clothing, medical care, or electricity. We would pray for our own adoption and for the kids who were adopted. When they left, I never saw them again, and sometimes their families would return them.
My birth mother would visit me, and today, I still have a relationship with her. I can call her with the assistance of a translator at times, if the conversation goes beyond “I love you, I love you, I love you, baby, I miss you.” I try to send her money and support her as best as I can because the country is still in turmoil. I hope one day to help uplift Haiti.
One thing I can share with other adoptees is that, no matter how different you are from your family, embrace that. If they stifle your growth, that’s even more reason to be an individual who is unique, because who wants to be similar to those who impede your happiness? Growing up in a family where I never felt loved taught me that there is enough treachery in the world today, and the support system that is the backbone of a healthy child can be shattered. But if you’re lucky, someone will come sooner rather than later to remind you of the remarkable person you are. I was fortunate to have a few people like that help me pick up the pieces. I want to thank Tsion, Barbra, Teddy, Carine, and Jeanette.
Suzette, thank you for being a sister to me before I even knew we were being adopted together.
