The Girl Who Dreamed Freely

Before resilience became a way of life and bravery became a daily decision, a young girl daydreamed under the Ugandan sky. I can still see her clearly: barefoot, joyful, and with inquisitive eyes that could see past the mountains. Her universe was both straightforward and wonderful. The rhythmic hum of the community filled the evenings, with laughter echoing in the air, while the soft, golden morning light flooded the foggy surroundings. The aroma of warm food carried by the wind, the interaction between neighbors as if they were members of the same family, and the space between houses.

In those days, dreams were not restricted by circumstances. With a childish conviction, they were spoken into the breeze in a vast and unfiltered manner. I had aspirations to be a lot of things: a lawyer, a doctor, a pilot, a nurse, and an explorer of unknown places. I conjured up tales against the limitless horizon. In my thoughts, there were no boundaries or limits. I thought that life would extend as far as my heart could dare to reach.

The innocence of that time was its appeal. Up to this point, life had not presented me with any situations where I had to justify myself, defend my identity, or choose between impossible options. I lived in a place where the community welcomed me warmly, and my feet felt at ease on the red soil that reminded me of home. I still think that the ground beneath me when I shut my eyes is grounding, alive, and familiar.
That little girl was completely oblivious to the challenges that lay ahead for her ambitions. She wasn’t sure how much power she would need to keep them in her hands as the world around her changed. However, I kept coming back to her calm basis, which was made up of her daring, inquisitive, and fearless attitude. She is the source of my transformation.