By Ashraf Dabie
The definition of a ‘mother’ is often limited to one who has given birth. But think about those women who go above and beyond the call of duty to care for others. Shouldn’t they be considered mothers too? We ought to give due credit to all those ‘mother figures’ who have invested all their energies and resources in improving the lives of strangers. One such individual is Joan Stephens Deveaux.
Joan is a caregiver at the Godchildren Convalescent Home in Durban Backlands, Georgetown. She began her tenure at the home in the year 1998 and was recently promoted to Supervisor/House Mother earlier this year.
The 56-year-old is the biological mother of one; however, her motherly love is extended to so many more. Joan’s responsibilities include working 12 hours a day, sometimes more, caring for the children at Godchildren Convalescent Home.
In an interview with Sunday Times Magazine, she recalled that upon her initiation at the Children’s Home, there were mostly sick infants and toddlers at the institution. This meant additional nurturing, special care and attention, as well as affection, were needed to nurse these ones back to health. Among the children in her care were patients of malnutrition, mental disorders, HIV and various forms of disabilities. Long days and sleepless nights were ‘normal’ for the House Mother. She mentioned that it is even more hectic when residents of the home are admitted to the hospital as she would remain by their side, ensuring that they are sufficiently cared for.
With her help and the assistance of other caregivers attached to the Home, Joan was able to secure permanent homes for a majority of the children after they had regained health. Those remaining were sent to St. John’s Bosco and St. Ann’s Home, among other institutions, where they currently are able to attend school, securing a potentially successful future, all thanks to the dedication by Joan and her team.
The caregiver expressed delight in being afforded the opportunity to impact the lives of the children at the Home.
“You just love and care for them. You treat them like your own at home,” she expressed.
Joan recalled she was inspired to work at the Home after a friend told her about the institution. She remembered seeing the plight of the helpless children who were forced to seek refuge at the institution because of parental neglect. She simply could not turn her back on those who later became her very own.
The Children’s Convalescent Home is a community outreach programme of the Guyana Red Cross Society that provides residential care and support for children ages five and younger. This facility provides refuge to those suffering from undernourishment, abuse, neglect and abandonment. With the assistance of dedicated personnel, the institution is able provide a home for a number of children, showering them with the love and support needed to create a conducive environment for development.
Even though Joan may not be the biological mother of the children at the Children’s Convalescent Home, for many she is their only ‘idea’ of a mother. The bond she has established over the years and the impact she has had on the lives of the many children passing through her supervision are enough to safely say that Joan Stephens Deveaux is not just the mother of one.
