THE EDITOR, Sir:
I AM a 21 year old graduate of a tertiary institution. I am frustrated, depressed and I am feeling suicidal. Let me tell you how I got to feel this way.
I don't know my mother and my father hops in and out of my life. I grew up all over the place never feeling like I belong anywhere except at school. I loved school and I developed a lasting bond with some of my teachers. I did fairly well through school and in the eleventh grade I decided to do six CXC subjects. These subjects were paid for by three of my teachers. I passed all six subjects.
DEPRESSED
After graduation I applied to go to the local community college but dropped out after only one semester as I could not afford the fees. I applied for a job and got one in an all-inclusive hotel in Montego Bay. I earned between $24-$28,000 per month (depending on gratuity). Then September 11th happened and I was among the majority of employees who got laid off. I was depressed. I thought long and hard and finally decided to apply to a teachers' college as it was the love and support of my high school teachers that kept me going throughout the years.
Once again, I made it through with the help and support of my teachers from high school.
In May of this year, I started sending out applications for jobs. I sent out 53 letters to various business places in Kingston and Montego Bay. I still have not received a phone call or one interview appointment and I am literally going crazy!
Now, tell me what must I do? I am on my own, all alone with my qualifications as a trained teacher and no job. No wonder most young girls turn to exotic dancing or become a 'masseuse'. No wonder they end up with a 'married sugar daddy' to finance their needs. I am beginning to hate everything about this system, about this country.
I've had a rough life and all I want is to make myself and my situation better. All I want is to make my teachers, complete strangers who became my adopted family, proud of me but, how do I do that when I am not being given a chance.
What do you leave me to do?
I am, etc.,
K. BRISSETTE
Dunfermine Avenue
Kingston 20
