Lovitta Foggo doesn't worry as much about her daughter's well being in India, now that Zayna has shown she can take care of herself.

As any mother would, Ms Foggo had some concerns when 17-year-old Zayna flew out to India by herself last September, even more so because she was flying just a couple of days after the September 11 attacks.

"She is fearless, but it is not foolish fearlessness," said Ms. Foggo, a single mother of two daughters. Her oldest daughter, Amne, is making plans to attend college in England this fall.

"She (Zayna) is aware of the dangers that prevail, however, she hasn't allowed that to close her off to accepting new experiences, with a view to learning. It has broadened her that way.

"I can see that she has blossomed in many ways, it has helped in terms of her self confidence, even though she has always been a confident person. Her global perspective has broadened, she definitely has more of an appreciation for all that transpires in the world at large as opposed to just what is happening in good old Bermuda."

Ms Foggo accompanied Zayna to England last September and watched with some reservations as she boarded her flight to India.

"That's when she showed her fear," Ms Foggo revealed.

"All along she was fine with going over to India, and I knew she was fearful and uncertain with what she would be confronted with.

"My parting words to her was `it's your turn now, grab hold of it'. You don't want your daughter to go, but at the same time you don't want them to miss out on life and all that it has to offer them, either.

"I felt confident that as a parent, I tried to make her aware of all the ills that exist in any society, so that she doesn't put herself at risk needlessly. But at the same time a person has to live. I told her that she would be okay."

Mom has seen the changes in her daughter after almost a year in India.

"Even from an ideological point of view I would say she certainly has been broadened in terms of the various types of philosophies that people follow and it seems to have given her - whether she recognises it or not - a better sense of self," Ms Foggo stated.

"She is comfortable with who she is, she accepts the environment that she has come out of but it hasn't prejudiced her in any way. She is definitely accepting of other cultures, she has an appreciation for what she can learn from that culture.

"If you want to grow and experience life you have to be cautious when it is necessary but at the same time be willing and open to embrace all that life has to offer."

Added Ms. Foggo: "We come from a society that puts so much value on material wealth, but that is far less important to her. Making her mark and chasing her dreams are far more important.

"I don't know if she is fully aware of the changes that have taken place in her outlook.

"She's almost been like a trailblazer in that early on she was one of the few girls who played soccer in the little soccer leagues. And when she was in the cricket camp if there was another girl there was only that one other girl, so she was one of the first for everything.

"She has certainly earned my respect. She has proven herself to be trustworthy, independent and she sticks to her principles. She's not easily influenced, neither one of my daughters are."