For years, I carried my experiences quietly, thinking they were just mine to live through. But then I started meeting girls who felt small, undermined, unseen and unsure of their own worth. I saw myself in them. And I knew I couldn’t keep my journey to myself anymore.
So, I decided to write a book.
This book is about growing up, finding my voice and facing and overcoming challenges that once felt too heavy to carry. It’s about the moments that broke me and also the ones that built me back up stronger. My hope is that it will remind girls everywhere that no matter where you come from, You Got This! Your story matters. Your voice deserves to be heard.
The book will be published in November 2026. But I don’t want to wait until then to let you in. Today, I am sharing a short preview from one of the early chapters. It’s about my very first days of secondary school, days that taught me about fear, courage, belonging and the painful reality of prejudice.
Here’s the excerpt:
“Mayoo! Mayoooo! Help! Help!”
That was me at 5 a.m., crying and running because my life depended on it. No! it was not a dream. Six dogs were chasing me, barking like they hadn’t eaten in days, ready to tear into my legs. In our neighborhood, it was common at that hour — people let their dogs loose and since the roads were empty, anyone passing by became the target. Many had been bitten. I was about to be one of them.
Mamma had woken me up earlier:
“Imara! Dzuka!” she whispered, shaking me gently.
“What is it this time, Mamma?” I asked, my voice still heavy with sleep. She gave me a note to deliver to Mr. Dekhani at his shop.
Simple errands had never felt so dangerous. I run as my knees trembled, ankles frozen in the morning chill, heart pounding with every step. I prayed with all my might, hoping for just one open door.
And there it was. A girl my age was outside washing dishes. When she saw me, she ran to the door and held it open for me. I stumbled inside, slamming it behind me. Silence. Relief. She laughed. “Usamathawe! Don’t run when dogs chase you!”
What? I should not run? Six dogs? I didn’t understand her words, but I understood the lesson: life could be terrifying, but kindness still existed in the world.
That morning changed everything. By evening, my father’s sacrifice made it possible for me to go to secondary school. Dreams I thought were lost were alive again. My journey had just begun.
