After A’saiya Brangman’s mother died unexpectedly in 2010, growing up without a mom proved challenging for the youngster.

Her nana Gina Wilson decided to sign her up to take part in the Big Brothers Big Sisters mentoring programme. And over the past year A’saiya has enjoyed spending four or five hours each weekend with her Big Sister, Emily Rowe.

The two spend their time doing activities like going to the park or beach in the summer time or just hanging out at Ms Rowe’s family home baking cookies and making pizza.

A’saiya described those moments as “awesome” and considers her Big Sister to be “funny, kind and nice”.

The Prospect Primary student, her grandmother and her mentor sat down with The Royal Gazette to talk about their special relationship in honour of ‘Thank Your Mentor Day’, which is celebrated today.

Ms Wilson said it was “devastating” for the family when her daughter, Alshante Brangman, died suddenly at age 23 due to health complications.

“Can you imagine my children were all grown and out of the way and then came this big bang,” she said.

“I immediately stopped my plans in order to be a parent again to A’saiya, but I wouldn’t change it for the world or give her up for anything.”

Ms Wilson said only a handful of her granddaughter’s godparents have been there for her since Ms Brangman’s death, so having a mentor is a big help.

“Even though God took away my angel, he sent me back another angel which is Emily,” she said.

“The moment A’saiya sees her she lights right up and jumps right into Emily’s arms and you can tell there’s a lot of love there because children will tell you if they don’t want to go and it’s never like that.

“Sometimes Emily might be only five minutes late and A’saiya comes and asks me ‘Is she coming?’”

Ms Rowe, who works as an accountant, said it was rewarding to hear she’s made a difference in this young person’s life.

She signed up to be a mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters shortly after graduating from university and moving back to Bermuda.

“I wanted to give back to the community and thought it would be more rewarding to be a mentor than just giving money to a charity because you have a real relationship with someone and are able to make an impact on their life,” she said.

The 24-year-old said she has developed a very strong bond with A’saiya. Although the youngster isn’t yet at the age where she can come to Ms Rowe and talk about issues like dating or peer pressure (which may come later), for now they are happy just being in each other’s company.

Ms Rowe said she doesn’t try to take on a motherly role with A’saiya and just looks to be a big sister or friend.

“I guess having me in the picture gives her more support,” she said. “And I guess it’s special for her to have someone that is just hers and that she doesn’t have to share with anyone else in her family.

“It might also help with her self esteem and confidence and give her additional support in her life besides her family and friends.”

Ms Wilson said she has already noticed some positive changes in A’saiya over the last year.

The family keeps photos around the house of Ms Brangman and also celebrate her birthday to keep her memory alive, however there used to be more moments when A’saiya was emotional about losing her mom.

“Sometimes she would be crying and say ‘I miss my mom’, but as she is growing it’s getting easier to cope and deal with,” Ms Wilson said.

When asked how A’saiya planned to show her appreciation for Ms Rowe on ‘Thank Your Mentor Day’, she said: “I will thank her for taking me everywhere, doing everything for me and being my Big Sister. And I would give her a huge hug.”

Today is ‘Thank Your Mentor Day’, which is set aside to recognise the contributions that mentors make all over the world.

January is also known as Mentoring Month. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Bermuda will be hosting an event to commemorate the end of Mentoring Month, as well as name their ‘Bigs of the Year’, on Thursday, January 30 on the steps of City Hall. The public is invited to attend the event that day from 12.30pm -1.30pm.