Vilma the survivor

Trinidad-born Vilma McCollin-Theodore claimed that although she came from a single-parent background and was raised by her late mother, Eilliana McCollin, she was able to go through life’s pressures and become a role model. She did this through spirituality and obedience to her mother who instilled many positive values in her.

“All one needs is to determine in his or her mind that they ought to be focused on God and disciplined in every way possible and with that, they would be like precious gems earning all successes,” McCollin-Theodore said.

McCollin-Theodore, an African Methodist Episcopalian by faith, was born and raised in Trinidad. She was the fifth of eight children. Her older brothers and sisters were raised by her grandmother in Barbados. The rest of her siblings by her mother, who at the time lived at John Street, Montrose, Chaguanas. Eilliana struggled, working domestic jobs to take care of her children.

McCollin-Theodore was privileged to have her schooling at the Holy Faith Convent in Couva, where she said that she learnt about God and the importance of being disciplined and educated. After graduating in 1969, she got engaged to her husband, Matthew Theodore and moved to Venezuela where she resided with her maternal relatives.

While there, she gave birth to her first daughter, Belinda. Soon after she returned to Trinidad and married Matthew, in 1974. The couple have two other girls – Vianca and Beikisha.

In 1980, McCollin-Theodore moved to the USA where she supported her family via her job as a professional hair stylist, while her husband became involved in tradesmanship.

Three years ago, she retired from being a hair stylist and became an independent beauty consultant with an American company. She has since added interior decorating and handicraft to her portfolio —and has now become successful in her fields. In the USA, McCollin-Theodore also studied and became a certified nursing assistant and medical biller.

“Coming from a single-parent home did not give me the excuse to ‘stray away’ and involve myself in drugs, criminal activities and promiscuity,” she said.

“Instead I was very obedient to my mother. I did not want to get myself involved in things that would bring shame to her because I highly respected her. I ensured that I got myself educated while in secondary school. I also ensured that I had a Godly-spirit instilled in me, transferring it onto my children,” she added.

McCollin-Theodore urged children from single-parented homes to hold fast to what their respective parent believed in and to stay away from negative peer pressures.

“Listen to what your parent says to you for it is very vital. Respect them. I know that it could be very hard with negative influences around you but you have to overcome it inorder to become successful in all your endeavours.”

“It is very easy to follow your peers but in the end, it would lead you along the fast track to destruction. Follow the straight, narrow and disciplined road - I guarantee that you will not regret it. If I can do it, I am sure that you can too” McCollin-Theodore urged.