JENNIFER B.A.
My life began July 31, 1968. When I was born my blood mother and father were always fighting over me. My mother thought that it was best to give me up for adoption. She thought that was the best thing. A couple by the name of c.c. decided to take me and raised me. Mister C. had lots of land and animals. He had cars and vans. We had to work so hard for a living. We had to go in the garden and pick oranges and grapefruit. We had to cut bananas and bring them on our heads for Mrs. C. to get ready for the market. We also had to feed rabbits, goats, pigs, and dogs. There were lots of other animals on the farm.
I can remember four girls and three boys. Mrs. C. used to go from one country to the other every Tuesday. Mrs. C. wasn't a nice woman. She only pretended. Mr. C. wasn't a nice man either. Mr. C. hurt those girls physically, emotionally and mentally. Mr. and Mrs. C. used to beat a drum and sing, "Bogotum, bogotum, boss tomorrow, boss, boss, boss tomorrow." When Mrs. C. beat that drum, they wanted one of the girls to dance, but she didn't want to. They beat her to make her dance. The girl cried. All she wanted was to go home and meet her birth mother. My mother used to visit the farm sometimes on Sunday. Then Mr. and Mrs. C. make things look like we were cared for.
Mrs. C. had two children on her own. Mr. C. had lots of children with other women.
This is my life. I had to get out of bed at six o'clock in the morning and feed the animals.