Angela

My name is Angela.  I am 9 years old. My mum and I take medicine everyday but she is so sick, the medicine does not help her.   My mother used to buy me nice clothes and shoes until she became so sick. She only sleeps and cannot go to work anymore. 

When grandmother makes food I take for her, sometimes she eats and sometimes she doesn’t.  Some people say she will die but I pray for her to get well and buy me nice things and cook for me good food again.  Since my mother became sick her friend who is our neighbor takes me to hospital to take my medicine and see the doctor.  The other day I was walking slowly because I had not had breakfast and she slapped me.  She said she was tired of taking me to hospital all the time.  I told the nurse that my mum’s friend likes beating me and she told me not to worry because she will tell counselors to come and take care of me and they will always be bringing me to hospital giving me food too.  I want to go to school like other children.  I want to get education and food.  I am told some schools give children food.  I want to wear shoes and school uniform.  When I grow up I don’t want to continue being poor.  I want to be able to work in a big office, live in a nice house and enjoy good things of life. 

I still pray for my mum and I hope that one day I will be able to go to school like other children and get new friends and play with them.