Digging Deeper

We interviewed a little girl last night, after she was beaten by her aunt. and this is what she said;

My name is Famatta. I’m 14 years old, and I come from B**g County. Right now, I live with my aunt in Necklay Town, Montserrado.

When my ma sends me here, she tells me it’s for a better life. She says my aunt will put me in school and help me. But from the day I enter her house, I feel like I don’t belong. My aunt treats me more like a maid than a niece. I cook, clean, carry water, take care of her children, all day, every day.

When I ask for lunch, she says, “You think I brought you here to enjoy? Better behave yourself.” I try to hold it in. I try to stay quiet. But every day, I feel like I’m suffocating in that house.

So I start sleeping out. Thinking it could be a solution. some nights I stay with people I barely know. Other nights, I just walk around until morning. I know it’s not safe, but I feel more free out there than in that house.

Then, I start taking small things( money ) from her bag, her lotion, sometimes a phone to sell. I know it’s wrong, but I feel like it’s the only way I can survive. The only way I can have something of my own.

Last week, she brings home 500 US dollars. I don’t know what it’s for, but I take it. I pack some clothes, and I run.

I go to 72nd community to a friend, thinking maybe I can disappear, maybe I can start over. I want to sell cold water or biscuits, find someone kind enough to let me stay. But last night, someone recognizes me and calls my aunt. They came and grab me.

Now I’m sitting here in shame. People are calling me a thief, a spoiled girl. But no one is asking why I ran. No one is asking what I’ve been through.

I don’t steal because I’m greedy. I steal because I feel trapped. I run because I’m tired of being treated like nothing. I just want peace. I just want to be free.

Maybe now, somebody will finally listen.

Disclaimer; she’s not the one in picture, we couldn’t take her picture because she was beating bad Keep following Digging Deeper