Aged Out: The Stories that Built Us
Society & Culture:Personal Journals
Originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Betty moved to the United States with her father and younger sister when she was nine years old. When Betty was seventeen, her father went back to Africa, leaving Betty and her sister behind in foster care. Relying on her faith, Betty prayed for a loving home that would keep her with her sister. Betty feels incredibly lucky to have been placed with foster parents that she now calls family.
Betty feels that foster kids are unfairly stereotyped as “bad kids” and she wants people to know that they are more than just a kid in the system. Now in college at West Texas A&M, Betty is studying mechanical engineering and running on the track team. Despite hard circumstances, Betty approaches life with a positive attitude, believing that “everyone has a beautiful smile.”
If you are a former foster child who aged out of the system and want to share your story, email us at agedoutproject@gmail.com! You deserve to be heard.
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Credits:
● Interviewee: Betty Bajika
● Interviewers: Ashley Hutcheson and Lexy Young
● Editor: Soheil Abdmousavi
● Editing Team: Ashley Hutcheson and Lexy Young
● Music Credit:
○ Nostalgia by Tobu https://soundcloud.com/7obu
○ Music Promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/03Aky9bhOMU
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of SMU or the W.W. Caruth, Jr. Foundation.
Elisha: Foster Care Experience Led to Working in the System (Part I)
Jimmy Pt. 2
Jimmy Pt. 1
Tony: From Foster Child to Father, Husband, and Champion (Part II)
Tony: From Foster Child to Father, Husband, and Champion (Part I)
End of Season 1
Krystal: Turning Pain into Poetry
Joan: Finding Hope in a Group Home
Hallie: From Fragile Upbringing, to Foster Care, to Following her Dreams
Rose
Josie: From Foster Placements and a Failed Adoption to Aspiring Teacher
Brandon and Artist: From 15 foster homes and hospitalization to an Aspiring musician
Introducing Aged Out: The Stories that Built Us
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