Who I Am

Back then in 1990s a strong beautiful woman got pregnantat a young age while still in high school. She felt very ashamed but didn't have any other choice but to raise me on her own. When I was growing up she introduced me to a man who took very care of me andlater on ended up being a step-father and thereaftermy two sisters, his biological children were born.

I felt like I was going to be neglected so the thought of my real father popped up. I wanted so bad to ask mum who he was and where I could find him but the African child lacks courage to ask of such things unlike the American kids. So I kept in inside for years again till when I was mature enough to understand that I didn't need to know who he was or where he was as long as mum is there and step-father is also there taking care and providing everything for me.

In 2015 the unexpected happened, step-father passed on. That's when hell broke loose as his family(step-father) took everything from us. We lost everything including ourselves, from grace to grass. Now I knewthe importance of a father as the head of the family. I lost my hopes and dreams of becoming a journalist as I had to drop out and let my younger sister finish her primary education as that was more important compared to mine.

My sweet mother's world crumbled, she lost everything including friends and family and I had no choice but feel her pain. The only friends and family she had and still has is her three daughters and her mother, our grandmother. We have been sleeping hungry and sometimesout in the cold but no one cares that's when I knew friends and family are just there for your money.

At times it became hard for me to see her cry and asking many questions. I felt like nothing made sense anymore, the weaker she became, I also became weakwith her. Watching my two sisters go to bed hungry which they still do makes her even question more "If their father was still alive they would food on the table androof over their heads" she says.

Enough was enough I couldn't sit down and watch my mother break down every time. I had to be strong for her. I went back to school for a diploma course in web development which is currently ongoing hoping to graduate in December. My educational journey has not been a walk in the park but I had to be positive and strong for my mother and my two sisters.

I had to give back to her for taking care of me all those years, so it was my turn to care of her now as the man of the family. My strength, courage and positive attitude has made her change, the tears are slowly fading and her strength is coming back. She has learned how to be optimistic.

The struggles are still there but now she knows how to handle them. I am a 23 year oldlady with a dream of getting the woman who gave birth to me and raised meback what she lost and and so much more. I am a sister who wants to see her younger sisters excel to greater heights. This who I am.