Since I was born and raised on St. Helena I receive a lot of questions about what it would be like to live on the island. People often ask me how are the people, what are they like?
I think the best way to describe people on St. Helena is probably one of reservation. So many things have happened to a lot of people on the island, and most of it is kept quiet. I should know, I have kept so much to myself and until my therapy, didn’t want to share with anyone. But I was told to write what I feel and let it all out.
I remember when Robert and I went back to St. Helena with his friend, people would rush up to talk to us. They would tell us anything and everything, it was as if it was there was a need and desire to let it go.
I remember one such story. I young man kept up to use and started talking about normal things, such as the weather and the difference between St. Helena and England. But then, out of the blue he told us a story about how his step-father intentionally took him out on a fishing boat and threw him into the sea, in hopes he would drown and die. As I watched him talk I could see the tears running down his cheeks. He asked us, is that normal? Why would he want to do that to me? Of course we shook our heads and just listened. He explained that he was scared as there were also known to be sharks in the water. He of course made it back to shore, to live to tell his tale. But why would he have to endure such a ruthless act?
Another popular topic of conversation was always that of relationships of incest. The number of stories about rape and other atrocities was overwhelming. We just sat and listened as they would talk to us in the pub about all sorts.
I think there needs to be a support mechanism put into place to help islanders. A place so they can talk to someone who won’t share the information with others. I will be setting up a phone line, but something in person would ultimately be ideal.
There were no professionals however the local people though would always lend an ear over a cup of tea. If I didn’t have friends that I could talk to and download my emotions I do not know where I would be. The St. Helena hospitality is the best in the world and because of this, it bothers me even more so about all the nasty things that happen with nowhere for people to turn. But within each other the network of women was always supportive to each other and kept everyone going.
The authority always seemed to be the real major problem on the island. The expression absolute power corrupts absolutely truly applies here.
So, what are islanders like?
Enigmatic.