Senior Investigative Reporter
Shaliza.hassanali@guardian.co.tt
As a single father of twin girls, Keston Ettienne, 50, believes in discipline.
The father of the 13-year-old girls—Shantai and Sheimia—keeps them off social media.
Ettienne, who lives with his girls in their humble home in Laventille, said he shows the girls right from wrong.
“They can’t come with nonsense around me,” he told the Sunday Guardian in an interview last Tuesday. The twins came to the national spotlight after their school, Rose Hill Primary, grabbed headline news last year for the rapid gunfire it faced by warring gangs in the community.
The bullets that ripped through the school’s walls disrupted classes and frightened the pupils who had to dart under chairs and tables to safeguard themselves.
During those challenging times, Ettienne, a part-time cleaner at the school, ensured his girls focused on their schoolwork.
Growing up, Ettienne said, his father never spared the rod and spoiled his children.
“I get licks as a child when I did something wrong. It did not kill me. It made me a better person.”
Ettienne has followed in his father’s footsteps by disciplining his twins.
“Daddy used to beat really bad. Oh my God. That was when we were in primary school,” Sheimia remembered.
“I does beat bad. I doh play that. I is old school, the right thing is the right thing,” Ettienne interjected.
“Remember it is all about discipline and respect. Nobody can’t come and tell me how to deal with my children because I minding them. I don’t want no spoil children. I want my girls to be decent and to succeed. All I ask of them is to be high achievers.”
Ettienne feels the Government should bring back corporal punishment in schools while parents should ban children from social media.
“My girls are not on Facebook at all. They are not of age for that, so certain problems I don’t have. Don’t get twisted, children must be children. When you make them get big too fast you in trouble.”
Stating that society was decaying because of children’s disrespect for parents, teachers and elders, Ettienne said parents have to take responsibility for their children’s actions.
Crochet for sale
Sitting on the staircase of their home, Shantai, the braver of the two, praised her father for their meals, ensuring they get an education and paying the bills.
“I can’t tell you when last we saw our mother. Through it all, Daddy has been at our side,” Sheimia said.
Stating that many days were tough, the twins said that they put their shoulders to the wheel and passed their 2021 Secondary Entrance Assessment examination for Bishop’s Centenary College where they have been excelling in all subject areas.
Of a class of 28 Form Two students, Shantai and Sheimia placed second and third respectively in last term’s examinations.
The teenagers will receive their report cards in January for the exams they sat this term.
“I’m positive they are going to do well again. Them girls going guns,” Ettienne said, smiling from ear to ear.
Outside of school, the girls play the national instrument with NGO En ToTo and have mastered the art of crocheting.
They showed an entire line of beautifully knitted clothing, hats and handbags that are on sale. The girls learn to crochet after joining a club in school in 2022. Some of their pieces were recently sold in a pop-up shop in Barataria.
“I made $190,” Sheimia boasted. Shantai pocketed $95.
“I love to make matching sets,” Shantai said, stating that her favourite outfit was a blue and white skirt and top which she made in a day.
Ettienne said next year he would advertise their collection on social media to attract more buyers and help them start a business.
Despite showcasing their talent, the teenagers admitted their struggles have been endless, but promised to make Ettienne proud.
The twins have already mapped out their career paths.
Sheimia wants to become a business owner and Shantai hopes to pursue real estate.
At times, Ettienne said, they would have to make do with the little they have.
“Sometimes we have nothing to eat, the house ain’t the best, but most importantly, we have life.
“Nothing I do concerns me, it have a benefit leading up to them. I want Shantai and Sheimia to do better, so I try to encourage them every day. As bad as it is, it is good as it could be. You must have faith.”
For months, Ettienne said they have been managing without a washing machine and fridge.
The conditions under which they live are not ideal.
The 50-year-old house Ettienne inherited needs repairs.
“What I want for my girls is comfort. With God’s blessings, it will come. I does try to show them as hard as life is, one day it will get better if they work towards their goals,” Ettienne said.
Empty promises
Last year an MP promised the twins two laptops to assist with their studies and research which they never received. Having faced many disappointments, Shantai said, “Daddy always tells us to keep a positive outlook on life.”
The twins were asked what they wanted for Christmas.
Pausing for a few seconds as she gathered her thoughts, Shantai suddenly burst into tears. “My greatest wish is for Daddy to be happy,” she replied while looking at her father.
Unable to contain her emotions, Sheimia answered “I would like to say Daddy is the best. He tries. He deserves to be happy.”
The girls did not ask for anything special.
Ettienne interjected, saying his daughters’ happiness came first.
“They should not be studying my happiness. My happiness is seeing them do better.”
Father of the Year
But for the girls, their father is the best.
Shantai wanted to give her father an award.
She said that with 2023 coming to a close, she and her twin sister wanted to acknowledge their father’s work in single-handedly raising them.
However, they didn’t have the money to buy him a trophy.
The teenagers looked around their crumbling Laventille home and their eyes fell on Shantai’s 2021 award from the Inter-Agency Task Force for her outstanding academic performance at the Rose Hill RC Primary School in Laventille.
The twins surprised their dad with a “Father of the Year” award for being what they say is their pillar of support, role model and motivator in the face of life’s challenges.
Amid screams and applause, the 13-year-old girls bestowed Keston Ettienne with a small trophy at his Laventille home last Tuesday.
“You are the best Daddy in the world,” a smiling Shantai told her 50-year-old father, as she gave him a congratulatory hug in their congested living room.
“Go, daddy! Go, daddy!” Sheimia shouted as she paid kudos to Ettienne, a single parent who has been their guiding light and inspiration.
Touched by his daughters’ kind gesture, Ettienne’s eyes filled up with tears.
“Today, all yuh girls surprise meh. You know, I am here for all yuh, we going down the road together through thick or thin,” Ettienne said, as he wrapped his arms around them.
