Senior Multimedia Reporter
radhica.sookraj@guardian.co.tt
Kaveer Bhagwandeen defied society’s stereotypes about children growing up in broken homes, earning an Open Scholarship in Environmental Science.
Speaking to Guardian Media at his home in Debe, the Naparima College (San Fernando) student expressed gratitude for the scholarship which he said puts him one step closer to pursuing his dream of studying at Georgetown University in Washington, DC.
Kaveer said children from broken homes, where parents divorce, are often stereotyped and misjudged.
“School was challenging from primary school because of the divorce. When my grandma passed away, that was a big challenge too,” he recalled.
He said COVID-19 added another layer of difficulty.
“It wasn’t easy to learn online, so I could not study. I wasn’t doing very well, failing a lot of my exams,” he revealed.
His mother Nisha, a biology teacher, stepped in.
“Thankfully, with her help, I was able to do good in CSEC,” he said looking at her with pride.
He also found solace in gardening and cooking.
“It’s my biggest stress reliever,” he said. As a biology student, Kaveer utilised organic methods of pest control and encouraged friendly insects.
He said cooking became another passion and after his Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Exams, he took a job in a restaurant.
“I like to cook. At home, my signature dish is curry duck, but I’ve also learned to cook Asian food, rice bowls, noodle bowls, and sushi,” he said. “It’s a good way to unwind while learning new skills.”
When he received the news of his scholarship, Kaveer was washing dishes at work.
Expressing an interest in contributing to environmental science, Kaveer said he hopes to shift public attitudes toward protecting animals.
Kaveer also said his academic success was deeply rooted in family support.
“The main thing for me was family support—my mom, sister Sadhna, uncle Dinesh, aunt Vandana, and grandfather Anand. Having their support made me feel less incomplete when I was missing my dad,” he said.
Meanwhile, Nisha said her marriage ending and then her mother, Asha, passing away was devastating as she found herself alone with her two children.
Residing at her parents’ home, she began adjusting her family’s lifestyle to focus on her children’s needs.
“Being a single mother is probably the hardest job. Everyone is quick to judge you. When a student gives trouble, people say it’s because they come from a broken home but I never let that define us.”
For those facing similar problems, she had this to say.
“You can fix your own home and find the strength to succeed at whatever goals you set.”
She emphasized the importance of understanding each child’s needs. “Each child has to find their own way. At the end of the day, they have to do what makes them happy,” she said. “That stuck with me, and it’s why I allowed my children to choose what they wanted to pursue.”
She also called on extended families to step up and help children when domestic issues arise.
