Mauritius: Kersly- Learning has no age

I am Kersly, 61 years old, widow and mother of four children. I had a hard childhood as my family was very poor. My father passed away when I was 8 months. I do not know him but all I know is that he was a soldier. After his death my mother received a pension but unfortunately, it was not enough for us. Moreover, she could not go out to work as at that time we were all too young and she could not leave us alone at home. Life was so difficult, we did not have electricity at home and at times we had to sleep on an empty stomach. I had to stop school at the CPE level due to financial problems. Therefore, at the age of 15, I started working so as to help my mother financially.

I met my husband when I was 18 years old. One week after, he came home and asked my mother for my marriage proposal. Without knowing him better, my mother agreed. It was only after marriage that I learned the bitter truth of my life. My husband was having an affair with someone whom he knew for ten years. About one and a half year later, he has stop working, stayed at home and slept all day. When I was pregnant with my first child my life went through hell. I endured verbal violence. Moreover, he used to smash everything which came on his path.

Later on, he used to do informal jobs but he gave me only quarter of his salary for the household expenses. Therefore, after the birth of my forth child I started working. My husband often humiliated me by telling me that I had some affairs. I used to suffer from domestic violence and he treated me as a mere commodity. I was suffering in silence until he passed away.

At present I live with my in-laws and I am very happy about my life. I have already started my own business and I wish that I become successful and have a prosperous life.