DREAMER GIRL

Part 1

       On this girl's graduation party, she unleashed a very sad and painful story that left everyone in tears. Back then when she was still seven,life was not what everyone sees nowadays. You go to school only when God wishes and when it happens so, you never have all the requirements you need. If you get a pair of uniforms, then you're the luckiest. Mostly, many could only afford either the top(shirt) or the bottom (shorts) for boys whereas for girls there was no specific uniform. If your parents had enough money, they would also get you a school bag also made from cloth; by stitching. A pair of exercise books that were further split into halves, a pen or pencil. That was schooling preparation only.
      The real story is how the things were done back then. Very early in the morning, the young seven-year old girl used to wake up, no brushing the teeth, she washes her face. She has to take the animals for grazing in the field and tie them up. Next, weeding with her parents. By around 9:00AM she changes the one shirt she has on her to her nice School shirt. The same dress everyday. No shoes on her feet, she has to run to School, but before, she has to roast a few pieces of cassava to keep her till the end of the day. While at school, the toughness of things doesn't let her down. Lessons in the native language (langi) but exams in the official language (English)
         At 4:00pm she has to return home crying because at school she underwent many uncertainties; abuses, bullying, beatings, etc. This didn't stop her from studying everyday because she knew what she really wanted. After school, she has to make sure the animals are driven home safely. She has to take them to the swamp to drink water then later take them to the kral. Reaching home, she has to go back to the garden, do some more weeding with her parents and settle later at 6:00PM.
         This young girl always went to a hill top, sat there lonely. She prayed to God to help her succeed in life. She wept. No one believed in Studies by then. They thought people go to School only to learn how to speak the white man's language ( English) and to perfect the native language (Langi, Acholi, Luganda,Atesot, Lugbara, Alur, etc.) When this girl returned home late, they at times threw objects at her, shouted at her, beat her badly but she dared not talk a thing, give up or retaliate. She endured all the wrath of her father.
        At twelve, the girl could at least speak English fairly. She was not that bright but her performance according to the way she is treated, was outstanding. She was never the last in class. One day, an organization from the town visited their village: particularly their school. They were looking for young talents. They tasked each pupil to write a short story about what they will never forget. This young girl's story got everyone talking. Her one paragraph painful true life story squeezed tears out of people's eyes. It was not that good though but according to the level, it was the best. It made headlines on the radio, newspaper covers, Etc. Below is her story;
"There is a girl. A very strong girl. She still lives with her parents who beat her everyday. She loves studying. She also hates it. Because the pupils also beat her everyday and she doesn't have a friend. The girl believes she will enlighten many children's futures when she finishes studying through this toughness. This girl is me. I will never forget her"
         The girl was later taken to a better school and given full scholarship till she completed her studies. She later came back and taught in her same school. She always dreamed of changing lives of children.  She wanted people to be better than her and not go through the same situation as she did. This is what the girl said on his graduation party.
          This girl could be you, she could be someone you know. Let's keep our dreams alive.