I was born and raised in Trinidad, living with my mum, siblings, and stepdad. My biological father wasn’t around, and as the years went by, I felt increasingly neglected by him, leading to many inner struggles.
The area I grew up in was plagued with violence. Fights and police sirens were part of daily life. My darkest moment came when I learned my brother had been tragically shot by a gang after refusing to join them.
After his death, my family moved to the UK. At first, I was numb to his passing. Growing up in such a violent environment, I had become desensitised to it. It wasn’t until we arrived in the UK that the reality of my brother’s death truly sank in. However, I was used to suppressing my emotions, and instead of grief, I felt hatred and anger. I turned to alcohol to cope, but it only deepened my sadness, leading to dark thoughts and feelings of hopelessness.
My life shift came when my mum invited me to the Universal Church. For the first time, I felt a sense of peace. As I continued attending, over time, I let go of the grudges and anger I had been carrying and today my life has completely transformed.
The sadness I once felt has been replaced by joy, and the dark thoughts are now thoughts of peace. I still face challenges, but I now know that with God’s help, I can overcome them. My goal now is to stay close to Him and help others in the same way He’s helped me.” – Denisha Marine