Life Threw Me Lemons; Lived on The Streets, Had Life Threatening Asthma and Degenerative Eye Problem But Now I am Having My Lemonade – Benson Kiragu

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“My life has been a roller coaster of unforeseen and unprecedented events, but I am proud of whom I have become.” Benson Kiragu outlines as he begins to narrate his story.

I was raised by my grandparents with my two siblings in Uasin Gishu county, Kenya. The year of my birth is unknown to me, but I settled for 1985 when I was applying for a birth certificate.

The year 1992 marked the beginning of a dark phase in my life. The tribal clashes associated with the general election rocked my life and that of my family. Despite us having a home my grandparents were squatters. When the clashes began our home was torched and we had to run for our lives. 

My Teacher Defiled Me at The Age of 8 Years but Now I Take My Power Back; Sofi Buwembo

April is sexual assault awareness month and I feel this is the best time for me to share with the world my experience as a young girl. 

I was sexually assaulted by my teacher when I was 8 years old. I was in P.3 at Kibuli Demonstration School, Uganda. My abuser’s name was Sheikh Serubogo and he taught I.R.E in lower primary.

My teacher took me to his house and as a lamb being led to the slaughterhouse, I went with him not knowing what would befall me. 

Dear Dad

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Dear Dad by Corazon  Kunyobo

Today the crowd wants to hear me sing your praises,

They know I'm a poet; a poem they expect,

But I don't know where to start from,

I don't know what to say.

Tell me dad,

Have I lost a father or a molester?

How do I face everyone and say I've lost a father?

A father who turned me into his satisfaction tool

Every time mother left?

Ambrose Kamya: The Love Child Of Teenagers Who Has Fought For His Silver Spoon

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“For the better part of my life, I struggled with the feeling of rejection and a sense of belonging. What has kept me going is my zeal to work hard and prove to the world that I have so much to offer for a better world.” Ambrose begins by pointing this out.

Tell us about your childhood and upbringing

I was born in 1989 to teen parents in Kayunga Village in Eastern Uganda. My father and mother were in Senior four and Senior two, aged 19 and 18 respectively. 

Wrong Cab Wrong Night; My Worst Nightmare

Courtesy: Fashion Reverie

We had just finished our Friday gig at a Five Star Hotel along Valley Road, and I was in no mood for chit-chat. It had been a long week and all I wanted was to go home and rest. Being a live musician, weekends are the buzziest and I needed to re-energize. I gave my fellow band members goodnight kisses and hit the road. 

Normally we head to town as a team but this day I was impatient. After all, it was Friday at 11.00 PM and the streets were much alive.