Read The Story Below as shared and narrated by Facebook User, Blessing Nwachukwu.
So many people have wondered who my immediate second sister was. Even friends never met her or saw a pic of her. When she passed away, my mom was so distraught that she burnt all pics and saved only this. Take a good look at this sweet and innocent face. Her name was Grace Chikere Nwosu and she was my sister.
I’m about to tell a story that hasn’t been told since 1994 not to gain sympathy but to advice and change lives. She never got to grow to leave a mark but I hope with this story, she does. I want her to be the face of children’s advocate cos she deserved at least that since her life was cut short at the age of 3 by a 22 year old man named Daniel whom I have never set my eyes on since 1994.
This story is the reason I went into talk show- not for personal fame but hope that one I will be famous enough to get people to hear my story but I can’t keep waiting so if this will save lives, then so be it.
If you know from my stories, we grew up in the slum of Mafoluku, Oshodi. Then when I turned six, my sister was three and my mom went to the hospital to give birth to a third child. Despite being poor, we were a very loving family and my parents still made sure we attended private schools but starved and drank Garri like for real not a metaphor. My mom used to say, education will change our condition.
This story isn’t about me today so I will skip the details of my past. Perhaps someday I will have the courage to tell my own story. So my mom had this house help whose name was Chidinma, she also went to school but lived with us to take care of us after school hours. My mom was a kind soul who took her like her own but Chidinma was blinded by greed. So on that fateful period, my mom went to the hospital with my dad and aunt for some days, Chidinma sold my 3 year old sister for 150 naira to my neighbor, Daniel… I was 6 and had no clue why my sister wasn’t home.
Little did I know that right in our face-me-I face you compound, Daniel RAPED my three year old sister till she bled. They returned her to our home to cover the act but my mom came home that day with my aunt and saw my sister bleeding and unable to move. My kid sister proceeded to give names then fell unconscious… Needless to say, she died after a week. She died on a Friday right in my mom’s arms and in my presence.
My mom dropped the court case and had us move. I never understood why but she said God would enact justice but I wanted court justice. I wanted Daniel to pay for his actions. Pay for robbing the life and innocence of my kid sister. I didn’t get that justice but had to live with that pain for so many years before I learned to forgive.
I put up her pic cos she’s late. The media doesn’t put up pic of rape kids cos they are underage and this perpetrators don’t get to realize what they did emotionally. I don’t know where Daniel is but I hope he sees this and remembers and apologizes to my family cos he not only ruined my sister but my trust in men when I was growing up. Made me live a life in fear of men until my dad, counselor and pastors gave me courage. She’s late since 1994 and she would have been 25.
She was lively and smart and even at three, had more guts than me and always defended me. I have never forgotten anything about her. I loved her and I lost her before we could spend our best years together. Dear rapists, these children are just kids. Helpless, selfless and defenseless. We are to defend them not ruin them. What is sexually attractive about a child? They don’t even have developed sexual organs except for peeing. Parents, be careful of who you entrust your child to. The world is dark. Anything is possible.
In five minutes, a rapist can change the life of their victim and loved ones. Just for five minutes pleasure, you ruin the lives of others. Control your five minutes urge. Sex with a child is without consent cos they are ignorant of life. A child can never seduce you. Please let’s fight for the lives of children. Let’s be Guardians all over the world and weed out perpetrators wherever. Never cover them up in fear of shame.
I put up this pic cos I’m the only legal in age survivor of my family. She’s late now for 22 years so I’m within my law. I wish her rest with the lord. Chikere Grace, mommy, daddy and our brother are with you now. You aren’t alone anymore. May all their souls rest in peace and may my sister’s name be remembered in honor of the lives she will save with her story. Love you all my late family, xoxo.
