Adjusting to life in America after moving from Ethiopia last August, Maraki was struggling at school. She had trouble relating to her classmates and making friends. They mocked her appearance and accent, and verbal and physical bullying led to fights. Bullies barged in on her in the bathroom stall, causing her to stop using the school bathrooms altogether. She held her bladder for as long as she could, but eventually started wetting herself from holding it too long.
Teachers offered less individual attention than she had received in Ethiopia, which made her feel both frustrated and lonely. At home, she had emotional and dangerous outbursts, like running into the street.
Maraki Cherenet
Maraki’s mother Abenezer recognized from this troubling behavior that her daughter’s self-esteem had plummeted. Her primary care clinician referred her to Venice Family Clinic, conveniently located at Maraki’s elementary school. That’s where Maraki began seeing Tatiana Santibanez, LCSW, for intensive therapy.
“Meeting with Tatiana made her so happy,” Abenezer said in an interview. “She became playful again. She felt like she had a friend.”
Tatiana helped Maraki understand American norms about personal space and social interactions. She invited Abenezer to the sessions, too, so mother and daughter could work together to rebuild Maraki’s sense of self and dignity. Tatiana advised Abenezer how to help her daughter address intense emotions with warmth and understanding. She helped them implement a family calendar to ground Maraki in a routine and help her gain a sense of order over her life. And through affirmations and role play, mother and therapist helped Maraki reconnect with the things that made her a unique, lovable individual again. “I am brave and smart. I love that my family is kind and caring,” Maraki would affirm in these exercises.
By the end of the school year, Maraki’s teacher reported noticeable improvements in her social skills, including increased participation in class, speaking up more confidently, and more playful engagement with peers. Abenezer has noticed changes, too. One week into the new school year, Maraki is embracing second grade – entering school with enthusiasm and joyfully running up to friends on the playground. When Maraki comes home from school, she is eager to tell her mother every detail; the difference is night and day.
“I see significant change in Maraki – my daughter is so happy,” Abenezer said through tears during the interview. “I now have hope for my daughter and my family. I am grateful to Venice Family Clinic for believing in me and giving this opportunity to us.”
The changes in Maraki’s and Abenezer’s lives are possible thanks to the generosity of our community. Please support Venice Family Clinic so families like theirs can continue to receive transformative care.