I Am Beautiful.
Comfort travels with her Social Worker Cynthia to see us. We are thrilled to see that Comfort’s Mother has also made the journey; she recently completed her hairdressing apprenticeship and has been quite engaged with, and supportive of, her daughter since she’s returned home. They clearly have a sweet, sweet relationship and are thriving together.
Comfort is our youngest interviewee at 10 years of age, but she’s already been in the Mercy Project program for 4 years. A very young 6 at rescue, Comfort has benefited from a stable environment at home and adapted quickly to schoolwork. She is already in Class 4, well on her way to Junior High School, with high marks in English, Science, Math, and ICT (Information & Communication Technology). Comfort was recently given a Prefect position by her class teacher for her hard work. This girl is young, but with a quiet passion to learn, she is going places.
Comfort also has a sweet relationship with her US sponsors, exchanging letters several times a year. As Comfort joins us around the table – her Mom sitting off to the side, watching proudly – we begin by giving her a new letter from her sponsors which she immediately opens and reads in perfectly clear English, a smile lighting up her face. She doesn’t issue long responses to any of our questions, but she doesn’t need to in order to convey her story in an incredibly impactful manner.
Do you like reading? If you have a book, you want to read it?
Yes, I like reading.
When you were in the village and then you came home to live with your Mom… what is different in your life? Has something changed? Is there something you’re getting now? Are you able to do something that you were not able to do?
I am beautiful.
[Cynthia] Besides that, when you were on the lake, you were not getting time to play with your friends or go to school… I am giving you examples. Like you don’t get time to go with your friends. You were not able to read a sentence or even identify some of the alphabet. What are some of the changes since you came home?
I go to school now. I have gotten the chance.
Do you like school?
Yes
What is your best subject?
Computing, ICT
Do you think when you grow up, you want to use the computer? For your job?
Yes
What will you be?
A nurse
Why do you want to be a nurse?
Because I am able to learn how to.
[Cynthia] Do you know where they work? Where do you find them?
Hospital
What is their duty?
Patients, helping. They help people.
Since you’ve been home, how has your mother helped you? What does your mother do for you?
She cooks for me. She washes for me. She gives me money.
Is she giving you any advice?
Yes. That I should learn hard.
What is your favorite food that she cooks for you?
Jollof rice.
Do you have a friend at school?
No
No friend? Why?
They are all bad.
[laughs] So if you go to school, you just don’t talk to anybody?
[laughs] Yes
Do you not play with anyone?
I play with them, but they are not friends.
Seriously? They are bad influences? So you can help them on the right way.
Yes, yes.
Is there anybody in your life, maybe a teacher or a person... who has helped you the most? Someone who has made an impact?
Yes. Sir Edmond. He teaches me poems.
Is it after school or during school?
After school.
Like a tutor, or no? He’s just helping her?
[Cynthia] He’s just helping her, but he has since moved on to further things.
We have a picture of you in a talent show. Did you dance or sing?
[Cynthia] She did a poetry.
Oh! Did you write poetry and read it or just read?
I read it.
Do you remember the poem? Can you say it for us?
The title was African Woman.
I am an African Woman.
I am beautiful because of my color.
As it is, black is beautiful.
Yes, it is beautiful black.
Africa woman, arise
Africa woman, arise
Thank you.
Ah, that is so good. You have done very well.
“I go to school now. I have gotten the chance.”