The diary of an ex-sufferer - the beginning.

Antonia Alencar shares her diary with you.

We were three sisters and I was the youngest. My mother always worked hard to provide us with our daily bread and milk. She was such a fighter, she did all she could to make sure we grew up to become honourable, well-mannered and respectable women.

More about her story coming next week

My father on the other hand was an alcoholic. He spent all that he earned at work on drinks. I used to always think about my future, wondering what would happen to my sisters and I. Months went by and our money was getting short – our cupboards were getting emptier and I could see the desperation and affliction at home.

What did the future hold for me?

I always thought, “I need to do something about this. I can’t just stay on the sidelines and look in.” In truth, I wanted to help, but I didn’t know how. I was still very young and used to go to school.

All of a sudden our food finished! What were we going to do now? Next Saturday we’ll bring you more from the diary of an ex-sufferer – The bread and the milk finished. 

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