How Covid-19 exposed me to the pain of domestic violence

Covid-19 has occasioned job losses for many Kenyans, wasted time for students who will have to repeat classes next year and exposed children to domestic violence, among other ills. 

Staying away from school has interfered with the plan I had to finish high school this year. 

Now I have to wait for another year. All I ever wanted in life was to finish my studies and make my family proud but now I study at home.

This has not been easy because of the environment at home. A few weeks ago, my father chased me, my sister and brother out of our home due to a disagreement with my step-mother. We had to go live with my paternal grandmother in Nyayo Estate.

We have since moved back home to be with my father but this experience affected me so much. I miss my mother. She died in 2017.  It was sudden. She was sick in the evening and when she was rushed to the hospital the following morning, the doctors said she had died.

I have a step-mother now, but we miss our mother very much.

When my father chased us out of the house, it was hard for me to express how hurt I was and so I have just been writing.

It is probably the reason why I wrote this article, to say what is in my heart.

Writing has helped

After the incident, it has also been difficult to talk because my relatives do not want us to tell our family problems to the whole world. Writing has helped me get through this.

I have also written how I am going to change my life. First, I will continue working really hard in school so that I get money in future to help other children and families that are going through tough times like I did.

I have kept my books close especially my best subjects, mathematics and business studies.

I am also motivated to work hard so that I never depend on anyone again. I want to get employed after school and stand out as that one extraordinary girl who never gave up despite all the challenges.

I am also blessed. I have an elder sister and brother who stood by me as we went through that rough period in time.

I also appreciate the work my grandmother and grandfather did by accommodating me and my siblings. 

*Mary Achiya (not her real name), 16, is a Form Four student in Nairobi.

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