Several weeks back, a gentleman reached out to me via a social platform, expressing his interest in confirming my identity as Marisol Ayala. I confirmed, and he proceeded to mention that we had some prior acquaintance. Intrigued by this revelation, I learned that he is aged 35, previously an adopted and mistreated child, presently residing on Margarita Island [Venezuela], yet originally hailing from Tenerife. Raised by a local policeman as his adoptive father, he disclosed the tumultuous nature of his upbringing. At around seven or eight years old, I crossed paths with him amidst a family dispute that involved the child welfare services seeking to relocate him from the policeman’s care to a centre.
During his teenage years, he stumbled upon an old copy of LA PROVINCE featuring a report where I was pictured holding him and sharing a slice of birthday cake. This memory held a special place in his heart. Intrigued, I probed further into his life, discovering that now known as Vanesa, she has found happiness. His adoptive father vehemently opposed his sexuality, eventually forcing him to leave at the age of 13. Determined, he made an independent life for himself. He pledged to visit me on his return to Las Palmas, a promise I eagerly await to see fulfilled.
Reflecting on recent events, memories resurfaced of a young boy adopted by a patrolling police officer along the avenue. Abandoned by his mother in a café in Las Canteras, he was subsequently taken in by the authorities. When the café proprietors found him unclaimed at the day’s end, they alerted the police, setting in motion his adoption journey under the caring watch of the childless officer.
Amidst the chaotic headlines dominating newspapers, I chose to dedicate this column to the narrative of a forgotten child, a tale that lingers in the memories of some.
