Rhealyz Africa Advocacy Using Storytelling (EndGBV)- Kiana’s Story Part 10 “The Letter”

I didn’t hear from Gloria the next day, although I was seriously worried I decided to be optimistic and plan on how to make my friend’s birthday wonderful instead.

That brought me to the tragedy that took place on March 28, 2012.

Do you remember the beginning of my story when I said I slept quite early the night before March 28, 2012? Well, I regret it because Gloria sent me a message in the middle of the night while I was asleep;

“Kiki, I couldn’t escape ……. I don’t think I can bear so much pain, it is too much, how could my parents know about this and still send me here.  Everything is too much.  As for Jemimah, my grandma found a suitor for her!!! Kiki, Jemimah is just sixteen years old, she wasn’t even allowed to further her education anymore. Is that also their plan for me? I don’t think my parents care about me, I don’t think anyone does. Grandma said Dad asked me to come home tomorrow because of my birthday but what is even the use. Kiki I don’t think I can go on like this. I always thought people who consider suicide are weak but right now, I finally understand why they prefer suicide. I am tired Kiki, you are the only one who has ever been there for me, and who has ever cared, I love you.”

Love,

Gloria

I knew very well what the first line was talking about. My friend couldn’t live with the fact that she was still dealing with the trauma of getting raped and soon enough she had to suffer from female genital mutilation and even worse she could have been driven into child marriage. With the feeling of “no one cared” which was engineered by the fact that her dad was a beast who didn’t see domestic violence as a crime but as a show of his authority, hence suicide seemed like the best solution.

I didn’t see Gloria’s message until I heard that Gloria came back home and committed suicide. I keep asking myself “if I had seen the message earlier would I have been able to talk some sense into her?”

Written by Abana Asabe for Rhealyz Africa for the 16days of activism

Picture Credit- Pexels

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

0 Comments
scroll to top