Hi. My name is Rosie, at least that’s what everyone calls me. I am 11 years old and live with my sister in a place for children that cannot be at home anymore.

I love my mom. She is beautiful and very funny. She used to take care of us, but not always, and not now. After supper, when we were sleeping, she used to go out with her friends. It could be scary to wake up and she was not there and we were all alone in the dark. My sister is only six and always asked where mommy was. I didn’t know what to say, because I didn’t know. Sometimes she was not even at home when it got light outside and sometimes she slept so hard that it was impossible to wake her up in the morning. I heard my neighbour saying to someone else that she was drinking too much. I tried to get my little sister ready for school. I made sure her hands and face were washed and that she was dressed. I dropped her off at her school on the way to mine in the mornings. We were late almost every day. One time mom did not come home. I asked the neighbours if they had seen her, but no one had. I was so worried, my tummy felt like a knot and I wanted to cry. When I came back after school, she was there but did not say anything about it.

I never told anyone about how it was at home. I felt embarrassed and tried to ignore that my school uniform was too small and broken, but there was always one child who pointed it out in front of everyone. I think that one of my teachers likes me. She used to talk with me and ask how I was doing. She even came to my house one time to see my mom. I was outside, so I didn’t hear what they were talking about.

I think it was on a Tuesday when a lady who said she was a social worker came to my school and wanted to see me. She asked lots of questions, even about my dad. I have never seen him and don’t know where he lives. My mom doesn’t talk about him ever. The lady said that we cannot stay with our mom anymore. I went with her in a car. I felt sad and cried a little bit. We fetched my sister and then she drove us to this place for children. The social worker tried to explain where we were going and what would happen, but I didn’t understand all of it. I only knew that it would be different for us. My sister was there, but I felt alone in the world.

We are taken care of here, we always have food, our clothes are clean and they even fit us properly. I just wish that it was more like a family, with a real mom and maybe a dad. I know I don’t belong here. I miss my mom, but we talk on the phone. She says that the social worker is helping her to be a better mom and that she is working hard on it. Soon she will come and visit and I pray to God every night that we can live together again.

/Rosie, 11 years old

This story is made up but is inspired by some of the many children GCF has worked with over the years. This can be the narrative of a child near you. Don’t look away, be that one person making a real difference.

Don’t forget that it is currently the Child Protection Week. To show your support, you can wear a green ribbon.