I feel good at home with my family. I would feel better if I could return home with my family. I miss my island a lot. I feel good when I have my entire family surrounding me. I am happy where I am. In the Chagossian community, I have learned so much but I would like to see my mother’s island, where she was born, it’s Diego Garcia.
My mother always told me how she lived on her island. Because of her, I started to enjoy discovering Chagossian culture. Even if I was not born in Chagos, every time I hear their story, I am immensely sad. Without realising it, my mother transmitted this nostalgia for her island, her culture. The sadness.
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Nathalie: Some people live in Port Louis in a small house, many person live in the same yard. They live in harmony and have good relation between us.
Iyleen: she was born in Chagos. She came in Mauritius at the age of 9 years. She was not adapted, she suffers, she regrets because sometimes feel ill. She would live to return to Diego because she has many family who died over there. When she lost her mother she suffers more and more again.
Gisele: She was born in the island of Salomon. She came to Mauritius at the age of 5 years. In the year 2006 she went to Diego with the family and a group of Chagossian people. When she arrive there, she feel down and begin to cry because she was suffering and she think of her father who died there.
Sydney: I live with my grandmother. My mother left me and my brother who was 2 years and my little sister who was 10 months in the house for two days. She gone and left us lonely. I live in a very difficult situation. My childhood was very difficult. My nickname is Baboulal. I was born at Dr. Jeetoo Hospital in the year 1950 on the 18th day of December.
Monette: When my mother died I have to live with my cousin at the age of 6 years. I have been treated very badly. She treated me like a slave and she did not let me join another girl of my age. My nickname is Mypotte and I was born in Jetoo Hospital in the year 1951 on the 26th day of September. My parents chose my name and they have chosen Monette and Vivianne. I have three sisters Sylvie, Rosemonde and Marlene. I am very happy now with my husband Sydney and my four children. My grandson lives in France. His name is Spineley. Tedghi lives in Mauritius. Maria Michelle my daughter who lives at Baie du Tombeau and my little son, the fourth one who studies in Australia in the university.
Nathalie, Monette, Iyleen, Gisele, Sydney (joint texts)