Kathy_building
Kathy
I left Trinidad to become a nurse. I was happy to be learning nursing and sad to be leaving my family behind.
It was September and my parents came to see me off. I travelled on a BOAC plane.
I was only 19 years old and had never been away from home. I was scared and nervous but also excited because I wanted to train as a nurse.
I spoke to someone on the plane which made the journey more pleasant.
Arrival
Someone from the British council was supposed to meet me at the airport. When I arrived there were lots of people holding up placards but none of them had my name on it.
I was not sure what to do and just stood looking around. There was no helpdesk or anything for me to go to. The person I was sitting next to on the plane must have seen me and asked if there was anyone there for me.
He asked where I was going and I told him a hospital in Berkshire. He took me to the bus stop. The bus driver put me down at another bus stop. It was cold and I had no coat.
People could see how cold I was and advised me to take a taxi.
I didn’t understand the money but the taxi driver helped me.
Finally we arrived at the hospital. I had to take another taxi to reach the nurses accommodation.
Contribution to Newham
I am a volunteer at Hibiscus Day Centre. It is a centre that supports older people in our borough.
I also help in the kitchen, to serve tea.
I also keep clients occupied by playing games with them.
Poem
Home is spending quality time with my family,
Cooking, eating and doing things together.
