Dear Pastor,

I am a Jamaican who has recently moved to England. That's when everything that's bad started in my life. I am 17 going on 18 with two kids which is not a good start for my age. Not that I regret having my children, but I could have done better if only I had a better mother. I came to this country when I was 13 only to find out that I had to sell my body for a living. My mother was on drugs and so she used me to make the money to support her habit. While living like that, I got pregnant at age 14, had my first child at age 15 and even then she did not stop. Her habit got worst and so she deprived me of my childhood.

Pastor, she is coming in now, so, I have to stop.

..., England

Dear ..,

I regret hearing about your rough upbringing and I would like to urge you to go back to school. I am sure that you would like to have a career. You have made mistakes, but if you are ambitious, you can still accomplish your goals and objectives.

I hope the fathers of the children are supporting them. I would hate to think that because you had to sell your body, you are not sure who are the fathers of the children.

May I suggest that you talk to a clergyman and ask him for some guidance. That might be the way to go. Churches can help persons like you, but you have to let them know what you would like to do. Please, write to me again when you are able.

Pastor