Born on the beautiful Caribbean Island of San Andrés, I, Rosabell Castell Britton, have always felt a deep and abiding connection to my roots. Nestled 381 kilometers east of the Miskito Coast of Nicaragua, San Andrés—alongside the nearby islands of Old Provi- dence and Saint Kathleen—is where I grew up, embraced by the warmth and love of my close-knit family and surrounded by a loving, interactive family, who enjoyed beautiful sunsets and sunrises on an island know for its beautiful beaches, lush vegetation and vibrant culture.

On the islands, children grow up in a supportive environment where everyone looks after each other. My home was surrounded by art and painting, which developed my creativity. My relatives fondly called me “Bellbell,” and my childhood was rich with affection, stories, and the traditions that helped shape the person I am today.

From a young age, I dreamed of becoming a teacher—someone who could share the stories of our people, our land, and our culture. I’ve since had the honor of turning that dream into reality, I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in education with a specialization in bilingual and arts education.

As a teacher, I was always worried and concerned that the island’s children were growing up learning about the world, but not about their own history and surroundings; they should have learned and loved the history of their paradisiacal islands and of the people who lived there.

Today, I devote myself to educating the children of our island, driven by a passion to ensure they grow up knowing the true history of their homeland. I believe with all my heart that