Shelly-Ann Thompson, Freelance Writer
Left: Sherril Bennett. Right: Sherril Bennett, left, with her four children, Sydney Williams, Orane Williams, Rosanna Pike, Kemar Williams and her mother, Evelyn Bennett. - PHOTOS BY IAN ALLEN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
SHERRIL BENNETT'S daughter, Rosanna Pike is The 2006 Gleaner's Children's Own Spelling Bee champion. However, Ms. Bennett is the champ who has guided her to success.
Ms. Bennett holds down two jobs to support her four children - Rosanna, 13; Sidney Williams, 12; Orane Williams, 11; and Kemar Williams, seven. On top of this, she is rearing her children in the notorious community of Waterhouse in Kingston. And, at the same home where she herself was raised.
"I'm a hard working mother who loves her children very much. I try to see that they are okay and not taken advantage of," Ms. Bennett told Flair.
NO FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
At age 17, she became pregnant with Rosanna and shortly after the boys followed. In addition, none of the two men who fathered her children are assisting financially.
"I did not have any help with her, (from Rosanna's father). It was me, my mom and dad."
Her parents have been her moral support. Her deceased father, Sidney Bennett, showed her that without her children's fathers she was still able to survive.
"My father has given me the strength to go on, especially with Rosanna. He had encouraged me, showed me things, what it's all about, and not to depend on men. My father was the financial care-giver until I got back on my feet."
Since last August, she has been a cashier at Bath Plus and for almost five years, she works nightly at The Deck as a bartender/waitress.
It is a necessity to work two jobs to provide for her children. For schooling alone it costs $40,000 annually in fees, books and uniforms. For Rosanna to attend Ardenne High, it's roughly $17,000 for school fee inclusive of several school club fees. The boys are students of St. Patrick's Primary.
"It is not very easy; it's really hard, but I do it to see that they are financially okay."
MOTHER'S HELP
While Miss Bennett is at work her mother, Evelyn Bennett, sees to it that the children are fed, take regular baths and do their homework.
"I'm their mother when Sherril is away. But she takes care of her children. She encourages them, cooks for them and tells them.
Why we love our Mom,
Sherril Bennett
ROSANNA PIKE, 13
"I see her as a really good mother and a role model for me. She is a shining star for other mothers. Along with my grandmother, she supports me, she forges ahead with me and she helps me. She makes sacrifices for me to do my best."
SIDNEY WILLIAMS, 12
"She loves me and I know because she hugs me and shares with me. Before she goes to work she always tells me to tidy the place and behave."
ORANE WILLIAMS, 11
"I love when she comes home from work and talks with us. We talk about jokes, talk about school work and she tells me that I must take up books. I also love when she assists me to study and read. I feel sad when I don't see her for a long time. I also appreciate that she gives us lunch money and if she doesn't have the money she will tell us to come home for lunch. I know this is good because there are children at my school who don't get lunch money."
KEMAR WILLIAMS, 7
"I love when she stays home and plays with me. Yes she beats me when I do wrong but she also tells me not to fight, to be clean and not to dirty up myself. She also says I must love everybody and I must learn at school."
