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 [email protected]! 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.