The Dreams of the little Cowgirl from Cocoyea

By Camille Ramdial-Cumberbatch

My life changed in 1980, as an 11-year-old Form One student of Naparima Girls’ High School, when I read the pages of the English Literature book on Greek mythology, Men and Gods. This book unveiled the world to me and ignited my passion for travel. Never had the thought of going abroad entered my psyche, given my very humble background. To take care of our family, my illiterate mom minded cows and sold milk to earn an income. Consequently, from around the age of eight years, I walked the streets of my village in Cocoyea, San Fernando, with bottles of cow’s milk to sell to my neighbours.

Reading Men and Gods powerfully impacted my vision of self. It inspired me to dream of travelling to Rome and Greece, to see the Colosseum and the Parthenon on the Acropolis. Forty-five years later in October 2025, that dream was fulfilled!

Although my travel experience may not be unique, my journey is. I therefore hope it inspires you to dream big dreams, not give up hope, and to have faith to truly believe that with God, all things are possible, as Matthew 19:26 declares.

Planning to fulfil this dream was a very emotional experience. After my husband Mike suddenly passed last year, an important truth was reinforced. Life is precious and unpredictable. Losing him as I did, and knowing I was getting older, became the catalyst to wanting to fulfil this childhood aspiration. Once I made up my mind, I put it in God’s hands for His blessing and guidance, and oh boy, did He deliver!

My experience is aptly reflected in 2 Corinthians 9:8 which states, “And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”

Our God provided the financial means, inspired my niece to be my travel companion, guided me to choose the best well-located hotels at a reasonable price, allowed me to meet amazing people from all over the world, organised for me to touch and tour iconic historical sites, and blessed me to go through the Holy Doors of St Peter’s Basilica and The Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, where I saw Pope Francis’ tomb. I also attended Mass and Eucharistic Adoration there, which I had deeply desired to experience. I encountered God, every day and in every way!

I also realised He used this experience to remind me of some important truths in our relationship with Him:

1. He is with us always and all the time and His timing is the best timing.

2. His blessings are bountiful and ever present, in all situations, in small and big things.

3. His plan for us is bigger than we can ever imagine!

4. We are never too young or too old to declare our dreams to the Lord.

When I reflect upon my travels, gratitude is one of the main emotions I feel. Mike used to say, “I want you to love me in the overflow” and that is how I feel about how I experienced God’s abundant love for me. My heart is overflowing with thankfulness for His many blessings, and I am humbled by this.

God also used this trip to reassert my joie de vivre. For the first time in 18 months, I was joyful and happy, which was evident in my pictures and videos. The promises of Psalm 23 are real to me, especially verse 3, “He restores my soul.” I feel as if I am renewed and rejuvenated, to live my life in a way that will bring glory to God in my years ahead.

Upon reflection, I know now that God had a purpose for when He wanted me to fulfil this lifelong dream. Just as how declaring the dream changed my life at 11years, He used this experience to change my life at 56 years. He planned for it to reinvigorate me to live fully and to build faith in others through my testimony, to shatter any limits I was putting on myself, and to resurge to be the woman He created for His purpose.

I therefore encourage you to believe that what He has done for me, He can and will do for you!