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REAL PEOPLE, REAL STORIES, REAL TALK
Meet the beautiful and talented Danii KempshallDramatic Arts Teacher, Singer, Worship leader , Mentor and Survivor
Being an educator has always been more than a profession for me- It’s a calling,. It’s about showing up with heart, intention and purpose. But behind my smile and passion for teaching, I carried a heavy burden. I am a survivor of sexual assault – an experience that shattered my sense of safety, trust and identity. It was a moment in my life that could have broken me entirely. For a long time I carried the weight of silence. But the one thing that always pulled me through was my deep connection to the learners and the arts.
I found healing not in isolation but in creation- through drama, movement, music and story-telling, I began to see that the very thing that once silenced me became the source of my voice.. I started working with the children in the community, creating safe spaces where they could express themselves., explore their emotions and find joy in their own stories. What began as a way to distract me, became the path to reclaiming my power. I was no longer a victim- I was a guide, a mentor and most importantly a vessel of hope. But I didn’t walk this journey alone, The strength of the Holy Spirit became my anchor. In moments of weakness, I prayed. In moments of doubt, I listened. The still small voice within reminded me that I was not abandoned, I was chosen-for purpose, for impact. My pain did not disappear overnight, but it became a part of a greater testimony. Through my work with young people and the creative arts, I began to see transformation – not just in them, but in myself. I am proof that what was meant to destroy can become the foundation of something divine- And for that I am grateful. To everyone walking a similar path, know that you are not alone, and that healing is possible. Be brave and courageous, find your voice to speak out, get help in the form of counselling or just speaking to someone you can trust! Healing sometimes begins within the very same place that you have been called to serve!
CREATIVE AND INSPIRED
Meet the inspiring Ashlyn Gallant Business owner and Creative Genius
Believe it or not, this poem took me the longest time to complete. I wrote the first stanza quickly, then abandoned it. Years passed, I returned to it, only to walk away again. It wasn’t until last year that I finally completed it. Now, it feels like the poem needed to wait until I was ready-until my own emotional arc aligned with its message. The poem moves through a natural progression: Melancholic – Reflective- Resilient- Empowered. That was my journey too. I began in a place of disappointment and detachment. I had strayed from authenticity, chasing fleeting desires, instead of lasting purpose. But no matter how lost I felt, there was always hope-hope that “refuses to set” In that persistent hope I found the courage to change. I reclaimed my voice and my agency. I began to see that pain isn’t wasted, every misstep is a Delay does not mean denial. Abandoned dreams can still be revived. This poem is my reminder that it’s never to late to begin again- and that healing is always worth the effort.
A Quiet Becoming
Broken dreams, scattered like leaves. Whisper tales of a heart that grieves Promises fractured and left behind Echo through the corridors of my mind In my search to uncover who I could be, I strayed too far from the roots of me. I traded treasures for fleeting desire, chasing illusions that left me tired. The path is littered with all I’ve lost, Memories etched with a heavy cost. Yet within the shadow of regret, A flicker of hope refuses to set Change comes softly, like autumn’s chill A quiet urging , a test of will. And so, I lean into the turning tide, Choosing courage as my guide Stronger now and wiser too, With eyes that see life’s varied hue Each misstep a lesson , each fall a gain The dreams I thought time had erased Still linger, waiting to be embraced For its never to late to begin a new To craft a life that’s bold and true The past may whisper, but it will not bind: The future is mine to seek and find With every step, I reclaim my voice To live, to love, to make my choice