AS TOLD TO BC PIRES

My name is Shanelle Lawrence and I wrote a children’s book entitled The Beauty of My Skin Colour.

I was born in Jamaica.

I came to Trinidad and Tobago to work when I was 27 and met my husband Bhim Rambaran. And I went back Jamaica for three years. And then he asked me to come back and married to him.

A year later I had my youngest son, Rajeev Rambaran.

My oldest son, Nakia James, lives with us in Trinidad. He’s not from my husband.

I’m from a small community named Darliston in Westmoreland.

I’m a country girl. I learn to swing some machete, do a little plumbing, dig some dirt. I’m a jack of all trade.

In Trinidad, I say I’m from San Juan. I used to (pronounce it as) San Wan but now I guess the Trini is coming out in me because I say Sah Wah.

The farthest thing from my mind was to meet someone.

I was working in a gas station where my husband used to come and buy gas.

He gave me his number about ten times and I throw it away ten times. This guy look married and looking for a hookup and that’s not my thing.

And one day, he came to buy gas and a voice in my head say, “Don’t throw ‘way the number this time!”

I only had three CXC subjects when I came here and found out Trinidad was giving free chances. You can do as much subject as you want. I jump on that opportunity.

So I end up with eight subjects and the only reason I didn’t do more was because I’ve done all the school offer! I thought, “Maybe I’m not so dumb after all.”

I started (studying) nursing in 2018 and graduated last year. I’m qualified now.

I never thought I would go to university. I never thought I was smart enough. Probably five per cent or less of people from where I come from went to university.

I made the honour roll every semester for four years until graduation.

I’m a strong believer that nothing is possible without God. It’s kept me going over the years because I’ve been through a lot. It build me.

I have a wonderful family that would go above and beyond for me. I’m blessed.

My oldest son looks African, but I’ve never stopped to look at how people in Trinidad respond to our family. Because back in the days in Jamaica, I used to care a lot about what people think.

I believe the impression I leave on people’s minds and hearts should be a good one. But over the years I realise, no matter the good you do, there will always be somebody who will find a fault. So just live your life, don’t stop doing good, don’t treat anybody in a bad manner. Who accept you, accept you. I don’t look to other people for approval.

When George Floyd had gotten killed in America, my Jamaican family were talking and my cousin Maurice “Junior” Mackenzie said I should write a children’s book encouraging children of colour and stuff.

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