The end of Cegep.

It was the end of Cegep. I did not know what to do next. I had my certification in the field of Special Care Counselling. I wanted to work with diverse clienteles but especially with children and immigrants. Should I do an internship or volunteer abroad?

Choice 1 : Do an internship

Choice 2 : Volunteer abroad

Do an internship.

I chose to do an internship. Many workplaces interested me. I had experience working with children, so I already had a foot in the door. But I wonder where should I do the internship. Should I do an internship in an elementary school or in an organization?

Choice 1 : In an elementary school

Choice 2 : In an organization

Volunteer abroad.

I chose to volunteer abroad. I had experience as a volunteer in Haiti helping children. This experience was worthwhile. This is the country where I was born, so I have a personal purpose of going back there. But I would also like to discover an African country. Since many Africans speak French and English, it would be easier for me to get sucked up in the community.

Choice 1 : In Haiti

Choice 2 : In Africa

An internship in an elementary school.

I chose to do an internship in an elementary school. I was happy about it. But something went wrong. I wanted to be friends with my coworkers. Then, I learned that some employees misconduct. It was a small elementary school where everybody knows everything about everyone. One day, we had a meeting to learn more about office politics. I felt overwhelmed to learn that more often then not, some employees withhold important information about children's life instead of sharing with other coworkers as Special Care Counselor. As a Special Care Counselor, I felt that some employees did not like me and did not want me to be involved. I was working full time at this job. I started working overtime to help as many students as I could. At first, my job gave me fulfillment because I was happy to help youth in difficulty. Then, I started feeling a lack of energy. Being a Special Care Counsellor was exhausting for me. So, I asked myself this question : Should I quit my job?

Choice 1 : Quit my job

Choice 2 : Stay at my job

An internship in an organization.

I chose to do an internship in an organization. When I was a trainee, a coworker helped me to realize the bias I had about immigrants. It felt weird to realize that I did not know much about immigrants even though I am one. I learned that many immigrants are living complete different ways. It reminded me that I had some privileges as an adopted black child. Talking with this coworker helped me a lot to adapt my interventions with immigrants' children. I also realized that I did not know much about my biological family, and it made me feel sad. I asked myself this question : Should I take a leave of absence to go to Haiti and find information or should I stay at my job and not searching for information?

Choice 1 : Go to Haiti

Choice 2 : Not searching information

Volunteer in Haiti.

I chose to volunteer in Hsaiti. I went volunteering in an orphanage. Volunteering with orphans and employees speaking Creole and French led to learning a fourth language. I was happy to learn more about their culture. Then, my experience was over and the director of the orphanage offered me to stay and to become an employee. He offered me the minimum wage according to Canada. I felt so honored about his offer. But I was missing my son a lot. I had to decide. Should I become an employee or should I go back to Sherbrooke for my son?

Choice 1 : Become an employee

Choice 2 : Go back to Sherbrooke

Volunteer in Africa.

I chose to volunteer in Africa. Volunteer in Cameroun seemed like a good idea for me. I had a friend from Cameroun who told me that music is a big part of his culture. I was so happy to help children by teaching music. When my experience was coming to an end, a successful Cameroun singer told me that he wanted me to get involved in the music industry. I asked my friend what is his opinion about it. He told me it was a great opportunity, but I should be aware that this singer have done sexual harassment in the past. I started thinking about my insurances as a foreign worker. Then, I wondered if I should go back in Canada to find a job as a Special Care Counselor. Should I stay in Cameroun to do music with this artist?

Choice 1 : Go back in Canada

Choice 2 : Stay in Cameroun

Quit my job.

I chose to quit my job. At first, quitting my job felt like a good idea. I felt less anxious. I had more patience and time with my son. I tried to feel a fulfillment by spending quality time with my assistant dog for my psychological difficulties. But I felt worthless. I needed to find a new job and a new purpose. Then, I remembered that when I started Cegep, I wanted to go to university to become an art therapist. So, I needed to decide. Should I find a new job or go to university?

Choice 1 : Find a new job

Choice 2 : Go to university

Stay at my job.

I chose to stay at my job. I told my boss that I could not do overtime anymore. I was so tired. My boss refused and offered me to have a premium wage instead when I have to do overtime. I refused saying that I could not keep working overtime because I was not enough involved in my son's life. My main purpose was to be a good mom. My boss finally accepted my conditions and I spend my career at this school as a Special Care Counselor.

Choice 1 : Start over

Go to Haiti.

I chose to take a leave of absence to travel in Haiti. I wanted to find information about my biological family. At first, I searched for information about my biological parents. I only knew their first names. So I asked questions to people in charge of birth certificate to know their last names. Then, I started searching for their addresses and phones' numbers. I went to their addresses, I asked questions to people in the neighbourhood. I felt sad and exhausted. At the end of my first week in Haiti, I called my mom crying. It felt like I was doing everything I possibly could to find my biological parents. I did not have much faith left. So, I did a post on Facebook to tell my story. I spend two weeks in Haiti before going home. When I went back home, I received many text messages from adoptive children who became adults and tried to find their biological parents. Reading their messages made me feel less alone. It was like finding a community where I belong. Where people could understand me. I went back to work in the organization. I talked to my coworkers about my travel in Haiti. They were curious and respectful. Their acts of kindness made me feel like I was at the good workplace. I may not know much about my roots, but I tried to help as much as possible immigrants.

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Not searching information.

I chose not to search information about my biological family and to stay at my job. I did not want to feel bad for my adoptive parents. I realized that I already had a family. I had my son, my mom, my step dad, my dad, my step mom, my two brothers, their girlfriends and my dog.

Choice 1 : Start over

Become an employee.

I chose to accept the offer of the director. I became an employee of the orphanage. I was so happy to work with a salary and to help orphans. I felt like I found my purpose. But some days, I really missed my family, especially my son. I felt like I left him behind for my personal goal. I knew that when he would be older, I will invite him to travel in Haiti with me. So, maybe he could understand why I made this decision.

Choice 1 : Start over

Go back to Sherbrooke.

I chose to go back to Sherbrooke. I kept in touch with some employees and volunteers of the orphanage. It was an amazing experience, but I wanted to take care of my son and help his development. Working in human relations was something that made me feel as a great person. So, I decided to offer my services as Special Care Counsellor to help people in need. I was struggling with my mental health. I had anxiety and panic attacks. It was hard for me to adapt in a new environment after living through this experience in an orphanage. I realized that I had to change my lifestyle. I was not able to help people in rehabilitation when I needed therapy. I looked for resources and found a psychologist to help me go back to work. When I felt better, I was able to be a good Special Care Counselor. I had empathy, sensibility, and I was open-minded. I decided to do volunteer abroad once every two years in the orphanage to keep helping children in Haiti.

Choice 1 : Start over

Go back in Canada.

I chose to go back in Canada. I did not want to work with an artist who did sexual harassment. I missed my son and my family. I was so happy to come back home. My family celebrated my arrival with a family dinner. It felt great to be home. Then, I started looking for a job as a Special Care Counselor in Sherbrooke. I found the perfect job. I was really happy to include my passion for arts in my intervention.

Choice 1 : Start over

Stay in Cameroun.

I chose to stay in Cameroun and to work with the famous artist even though my friend told me he did sexual harassment. Turns out this guy was helping me to gain confidence, to build a music career and to become popular. He helped me to become the artist that I am today. I spent about a year in Cameroun working as a singer-songwriter while he was my producer and manager. I made a lot of money and decided to go home to see my family. I missed them a lot, especially my son. But this experience was once in a lifetime. I decided to keep in touch with this artist, and he helped me to be an international folk pop star.

Choice 1 : Start over