Desires of determined Old Harbour mom propels daughter into top all-girl high school

It was a given that Cassia Benjamin, Downie's second of two children would have done well since she was among that batch of top academic performers at Marlie Mount Primary and Infant School here in Old Harbour.

Don't be too quick, however, to think that Benjamin was just one of those naturally gifted child. No. Had it not been for her determined mother who kept her on the straight and narrow path, Cassia could have easily fallen through the cracks.

Life for Downie and her children has been a constant struggle, and even more so after the mysterious death seven years ago of her common-law-husband and father of her kids.

But throughout her struggles God, she said, always deliver.

Speaking to Old Harbour News on the verandah of her house donated by Food for the Poor, Downie's story is one of a resilient woman who is relentless in her pursuit to make sure her children get what she didn't have during childhood.

“I have to work twice as hard and instill that discipline in them to ensure that they get what I did not get when I was their age,” said the 39-year-old mother from Wellside Lane, Old Harbour. “I tell them that when you are not properly educated you are going to get a lot of fight in life, and then with the colour of her skin she’s going to get another fight, so she will have to work twice as hard to be successful.”

For Cassia, who dreams of becoming a doctor in the area of mental health, failure was never an option as her mother kept her in line throughout by ensuring home work is done and building a good rapport with her teachers. The PEP result was just reward, as she was highly proficient in all subjects and the top girl at her school.

“The morning of the results she said the result before it came out,” Cassia added with a broad smile. At the crack of dawn, her mother had that intuition that she had passed for the school of her choice. In fact when she was in Grade 3 Cassia compiled a list of some of the best high schools in the country where she would like to continue her education after leaving Marlie Mount.  On that list was the all-girl school of Immaculate and others like Campion College. Cassia – only eight years old at the time – prayed over her list and “decree and declared” her fervent wish to God, Downie recounted. Through hard work and a no-nonsense mother, her prayers were answered.

“Two things you always have to depend on and is God first and foremost and second of all yourself. So you have to remember that every time,” a beaming Downie said as she spoke passionately about her journey raising her children.

The story of that struggle could fill the pages of several books. She told Old Harbour News that both she and the father of her children were unable to finish high school because of the socio economic conditions they grew up in. But their condition didn’t mean they were no less ambitious, and is the main reason why she works so hard to give her children a better shot at life.

Despite her partner being no longer around, Downie is most grateful to those who helped her along the way.

“The family members from his side (children’s father) have been there for me. I can’t complain. They have been there for me up to this day. If I said anything else God would a tek weh di likkle blessing. They have been there for me,” she stressed, before informing Old Harbour News that the death of her partner was one of the most difficult times in her life, as she grappled with this reality.

Life in high school for her daughter will certainly pose new challenges but there's no need to change strategy Downie asserts, while noting there’s no pressure being placed on Cassia to maintain her excellent academic display.

“There is no expectation because I believe within myself that they are God’s children and as long as God do what He needs to do… it is not my will, it is His will. So I have placed them in His hands,” she said, before adding “for me once she’s focused nobody can stop her.”

She continued: “Support for her has been good. The only challenge is the transportation. If I complain I would be a wicked woman. We got a small scholarship but no matter how small we still give God thanks”.

Transportation alone from Old Harbour to her new school on Constant Spring Road in Kingston City will cost $5,000 weekly and for Downie “that’s a lot” for her small salary to manage.

But she’s not worried because she has been making sacrifices like this for the most part of her adult life; and one that in her mind is more than worth taking.

“Mi tell them when I get my pay is them get it. Not a dollar spen pon me. So mi want them fi understand that my greatest dream is that at the end of the day dem mek it. If dem nuh want it mi can’t do nothing fi dem,” said Downie who is employed to Caribbean Broilers Hatchery and recently started an apiculture venture which hopefully will generate well needed income for her family.

And even though she has been through a lot she told Old Harbour News “I’ve still not been through anything because a lot of people have been through far worse than I have”.