Publications of interest by immigrant women writers

Her Story

PROLOGUECameroon - Though the weather that particular day was steaming hot, Emma’s body shook with cold in her prison room.  She was pregnant from a brutal rape by a policeman and, even though she was just in her third month, she felt all the signs of labour.   Zimbabwe - Violet went from house to house with her one week old baby strapped on her back begging people to buy the second hand clothes she sold.  At the end of each day, she retired to a dilapidated building she shared with tramps and destitute. Congo - Lydia heard a loud thud.  She removed her shoes and tiptoed to the window from where the sound came.  Her body froze with shock at what she saw.  Her friend’s hands were tied to the back of a chair.  She had been stripped naked and there were whip marks all over her body. 

Nigeria - Carefully shielded behind a pole, Nina watched Onome go through the gruesome ordeal of female circumcision.  An ear splitting scream seized the air as the grip of five hefty men bit hard into Onome’s skin forcefully pinning her body to the ground.   Zambia - You could feel the presence of poverty staring you in the face.  Though the house looked simple and neat, everything else spelt poverty.  The extent of this poverty fired Chileshe’s determination to equip herself and her siblings with good education, the most potent weapon against poverty.  Sierra Leone - The disaster on the television was unbelievable.  Burnt wood, chips of metal, broken glasses as well as burnt bodies filtered the streets.  The sight was terrifying and nauseating.  By the time the news was over IyeJillo’s eyes were swollen shut with tears.    Rwanda - The journey to the camp lasted three gruesome hours.  Women cried as they were dragged out of the van.  Dead bodies were also dragged out of the van.  Mary sat down on the floor in a corner and watched as other frightened faces joined her.   South Africa - As students protested openly in a massive peaceful demonstration, policemen shot at them in cold blood.  There was chaos as Mora and many others ran for their lives.  Suddenly, she heard a bang, followed by another, and then, another.  Then she felt a weight pull her down.  Kenya - A loud bang echoed in the distance waking the whole neighbourhood.  Joyce got up startled.  It was 3am.  Someone screamed for help.   A few seconds later the air was filled with smoke and in the twinkle of an eye the house was engulfed in fire. Nigeria - The bulldozer moved into action raising its dreadful jaw.  Moji wailed as her shop was being demolished.  It was her only source of income, her last hope and all she depended on.  She watched her life investment reduced to rubbles. 

Her story -  Migration stories of African women in Ireland – written by Pamela Toyin Akinjobi

For a lot of women who seek refuge in other countries, it is often a personal and emotional struggle.  Their stories and circumstances are different but they are all linked by one thing – leaving their countries, homes and often their families because of fear of persecution   From Cameroon to Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Zambia, Congo, Rwanda, Sierra Leone and Zimbabwe, come these touching true-life experiences.  Her story is available at the African women’s network. Akidwa, 9c Lower Abbey street.  Dublin Central Mission, Dublin 1. 01-8148582  

~ by Nessa O'Mahony on July 18, 2007.