The Life Aji Fatou Wanted In Home

Part 1: Birth and childhood

I was for on the18 February 2000 at dawn, at the time when everything and everyone was laying low and quiet. In the city of Serre Kunda the Gambia, I am thee the second daughter of Sheikh Tigan Gai and Fatou Choi. I have three sisters mbogay the eldest, Ida, and saffie the young. I also have three younger brothers Ibrahim, Hassan, and Yusupha, At the time of my birth people who were going to the independence celebration were preparing, yea I was on our Independence day the time when the country is at its happiest moment I make my arrival and made my parents the happiest. I didn't remember much about my early childhood. What I know the most clearly was that I was stubborn, active, and outgoing as a child, I used to love going outside my compound to play at other houses which my mum forbade me many times but I go even if I got punished after.

And if I only go to play it will be alright, but no I would go from houses helping them wash their dishes and cook pot only to come back to get a beating from my mother. But the next day I will return to do it again, this is how things keep on till I was seven years my parents decided to take me to my grandmother who was in the village with my younger brother. There we were sent to the local Islamic school, I was not willing to stay there I cry, and throw tantrums but no one listen to me I was even beaten by my father's elder brother. Afterward, I calm down and compromise with their plan for me. I started learning the Quran, as they wanted me to but even there I did not stop my habit of going to other people's houses to play.

We were there I don't know what date or days were I could not know how many days, months, or years we spend there. One day I was told that my mother gave birth to our twins Saffie and Hassan they were beautiful when they were babies but now they are trouble makers. I continue my stay coping and hope to return to my parents I missed everyone. I would sit reminiscing about the days when I used to play with my friends and my nursery school classmate missing them very much. When I was eight years I started to do the housework and wash the clothes and help my Aunties in the kitchen, my father's eldest brother has four wives I was in their care. As days went on I started to get used to staying there, I make friends. I mingled with them and have their lifestyle but as a young girl, I could not take care of myself. I was left with no one to turn to even my grandmother was more into my younger brother than me.

I had to bathe myself and wash my clothes I was just seven to eight years and I couldn't. One day I was told that my mother was coming to visit us it was the most hilarious thing to me that I could not contain my smile it blossomed freely like a freed bird. But when my mother arrived she was very sad and cried so much because she didn't like how I was like, I was dirty and unsightly. Then she decided to take me back home with her, she said I was a girl and could not be left to fend for myself without care.

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Part 2: back home and school

When I returned with my mother it was during the rainy season I was happy to be back home sweet home I was welcomed by all. my life started with a new beginning again, I was like an alien on earth everything was new to me. I like mangoes very much and it was mango season so I climb up trees to reap mangoes. It was like I competition if I don't hurry it will finish, I amazed everyone with my behavior and I was the center of attention. They made fun of everything I do, and how I talk, and all, I was like was a monkey in a zoo. 

When I was nine years old I started primary one which was late at my age I was supposed to be in primary three. So I started when they were in the second term of grade one but I was an intelligent girl so I never lack behind my mates. I go to school and made friends, my first dream was to be a scientist at that time. but after the teacher beat me once I hated school and never wanted to return no matter what. I will cry when It was time for school and refused to go to my mother would flog me and take me by force. I pass the exam I was in the first ten always, and soon we close for the holidays, I was happy but it did not last long for the next academic year began again in September 2010.

I started school with a new teacher, it was not fun but I was coping till the day I took my father's phone to school, I will not do it again because my mother beat me till I could not recognize myself. it was another terrible experience for me. That the year-end we went for a holiday season and resumed school for the third grade and the first term exam I was sick and could not sit for the exam the second term exam the very day we started the exam my most beloved grandmother pass away it was the worst day of my life.

In my fourth grade, I had a very cruel teacher oh he was our nemesis .make we learn the tome table by heart and if you don't every day when you come to school he will ask you anyone he likes if you don't get it right you are dead meat. It was in my fourth grade that I first saw menstruation I was thirteen. 

In fifth grade, I had my first crush on someone who was in the same class as I was. But because I was shy I did not know how to confess, that I was an introverted person who loved to be alone reading or writing. I am also a moody person.