Sosheba Griffiths

Kavelle Anglin-Christie, Staff Reporter

Sometimes fairy tales do come true in Jamrock. One of Jamaica's top models, Sosheba Griffiths, experienced some of the country's scourges: poverty, living in a violence-torn area and being ostracised, until she was informally adopted by Saint International's CEO, Deiwight Peters.

Sosheba, who is now a Saint model, grew up in Trench Town, sold on the streetside and was teased by schoolmates. When she was recruited by Peters she could not afford transportation to modelling rehearsals. Then came the 'adoption', and now she has huge dreams.

"I never thought I was going to become a star. At that time, I wanted to become a nurse, but then I changed from wanting to be nurse to a model ... Oh, my God. (Back then) I felt very sad. Me and my mother were very sad. If I never sell on the streetside, I never would have had any lunch money. After a while, I got over it and my friends would ask me for lunch money. But some of the kids would tease me a lot, but if you follow people you won't reach anywhere," she said.

Sosheba speaks of these things not as if they are a colossal badge of honour, but as past events she has neatly sewn to form a significant part of her journey and now accepts.

Soft-spoken, careful manner

Her soft-spoken, careful manner is a paradox: it hides, yet tells the pain lingering in her past. These melancholic attachments aren't the only way to describe Sosheba, though. She is a fairly talkative 18-year-old who loves to laugh, and it is safe to say that her favourite phrase is 'Oh my God'.

"They used to say, 'Sosheba sell on the streetside' and that sort of thing and I was so ashamed, but I decide that I am not going to pay them any mind. Now, watch me, look, I'm doing modelling," she said.

This is how 'father' and 'daughter' met two years ago. When Sosheba met Peters she didn't know who he was. For her, it was a normal lunch hour at school (Denham Town High); however, Peters was there to scout for models. He pointed her out to the principal and the rest is history.

"Oh my God ... After I met Deiwght, training was difficult. I met a lot of models and girls and Deiwght had to be teaching me how to walk. He was always saying 'Sosheba, you have to practise walking in heels', because I couldn't walk in heels and another model, Melissa, from Portland, who is now based in South Africa, was always telling me 'don't give up', but it was hard," she said.

"Also, during that time, it was hard getting to go to rehearsals so I had to ask my aunt for $50 to come to training and I had to ask Deiwght for money to go back home and lunch money," she said. "I felt very sad because I never know Deiwght very well and I was saying 'Oh my God, I have to ask this man for money to go to school' and when I looked into all these things I felt sad."

She says when she found it increasingly difficult to attend training she broke down and told Peters why. Soon after, the decision was made for Peters to 'adopt' her, taking full responsibility for her education and maintenance.

A new father

Peters, a new father of sorts, said "I believe that I have been blessed with a great life and great opportunities. As such, I believe, given Sosheba's difficult circumstances, I could also offer help and that's what I did. I believe in the maxim 'to whom much is given, much is expected' ... I am in the habit of helping others who are less fortunate, but I have never really 'adopted' someone and undertaking all their financial responsibilities. This was a major step for me. I will, as much as possible, assist models from less fortunate circumstances."

He also said though his friends were surprised they were supportive, because they saw Sosheba's plight.

Still, the transition was not easy for Sosheba. "It was difficult, because I didn't know him when I went to live with him," she said. And then there were the rules.

"Oh my God ... That you have to study hard and stuff like that. During that time, even when school was on holiday I had to come home at the same time and I still had to go to my bed at 9 o'clock. I also had to read a lot of magazines, drink a lot of water and he was like 'if you don't pass your CXCs you are not going to get to anywhere you want'. That really scared me," she said, laughing softly.

Does Peters see himself as strict? "If making sure that she has curfew, completion of homework every day, develop good eating and drinking habits, limited partying, careful selection of the kinds of events that she attends, develops a sensible sense of style, avoids crude friends, exercise as is reasonable and a whole list of patterned habits for her own good ... then yes, I consider myself strict. There are times when decisions are made that she does not like, but I know in the long run she will understand," he said.

Sosheba says she got to visit her family.

"Yes, every weekend. I was like 'Deiwght, listen, I have to go to my mother and spend a weekend' and he was like 'sure'. When I went, everyone said they missed me and if I wasn't coming back home and I was telling them that I will never come back," said Sosheba.

In the months to follow, Sosheba won the Fashion Face of the Caribbean 2005, was signed to Elite International, did magazine shoots and passed four CXC subjects, all these dreams realised in what seemed like only a moment. Sosheba says she attributes most of her success to Peters' support.

Even so, Peters couldn't give a definite 'yes' or 'no' about whether or not he was a good father.

"I think I gave it a damn good shot, but she should make the call. What criteria would you use to assess if I have been a good father? I guess making sure she was comfortable, had strong guidance, rules to promote her growth, providing a reference point for her in any given circumstance," he said.

Proudest moment

His proudest moment was "no doubt attending her graduation to see her graduate and for her to be successful in her CXCs. Also seeing her depart to take up her contract with the prestigious Elite Model management in New York."

And he is sure about what he wants for her in the future, "for her to continue to grow as a confident, intelligent human being, becoming a world-famous and financially strong fashion star with a successful personal life. I just want her to be happy."

"Living in the ghetto, I never expected to reach so far. If I never did modelling I wouldn't go nowhere, I would still be selling on the streetside. As I was growing up, I was always shy and nervous and when I started modelling I started to feel confident. Now I think wonderful things. I feel very proud of myself because I have gone through a lot of hard stuff and I thank Deiwght and everyone else for everything," Sosheba said.