Community education is helping to improve my life, but my journey is only beginning.
I never finished school. I got pregnant at 17 and tried to graduate, but with no support system I had to drop out to take care of my son.
Not finishing education left me vulnerable. For many years, I believed it was too late to return to learning. I thought my only role was at home, taking care of the house and children. While this gave me a small sense of purpose, I felt I couldn’t contribute fully to my home or community.
I came to believe it was too late for me to pursue learning. I was made to feel worthless, and my lack of certificates was often thrown in my face as the reason I shouldn’t even try.
When I was a child, I dreamed of growing up to help the world. I often played counselor for my family and friends and enjoyed advocating for others before I knew what it was. I thought I would become a psychiatrist as people said I was a good listener, or a solicitor, as people said I was passionate about fairness.
By secondary age, my dreams shifted as I got interested in art and cooking, and I dreamed of going to art or culinary school. Seeing a possibility to still help people with these skills. As a mother, these dreams never died, but I was mostly only able to apply them in the home.
This year, everything began to change. Community support like womens’ groups and local community centres like Cranmore Community Co-op, helped me see new possibilities for myself. They gave me the encouragement I needed to start writing the next chapter of my life.
Community education has been a lifeline. It has given me the chance to connect with others and, more importantly, reconnect with myself. I am still navigating the pain and confusion of my past, but my future feels brighter.
My children and I began volunteering with Cranmore Community Co-op Restaurant, a community education organisation in Sligo, and through it we completed HACCP Level 2 training together. I have also signed up for an International Cuisine course with MSLETB, which will allow me to contribute even more.
Not every opportunity has been easy. Some courses I was interested in were cancelled due to lack of funding. For example, I was able to find an online alternative for SNA training, but the Pre-Garda and Security course my son wanted to take this September was cancelled on both campuses that were supposed to offer it. He still wants to join the Gardaí, but he has had to find a different path towards his goal.
Less funding makes it so difficult for those without means to pursue education in the fields they feel called to. That’s why it is so important to uplift and support anyone in the community who is willing to try. These people, once given the opportunity, will use their knowledge to give back and help those around them.
I am proud to say I am becoming one of them.
