This person preferred to stay anonymous. In order to respect this, the name Hamdiya was chosen to represent her.
“My name is Hamdiya. This name is anonymous. I am 14 years old.”
Hamdiya was born in Gabon, and lived there with her Ghanean parents until she was two. Then, she was moved back to Ghana to stay with her grandmother and aunt, while her parents stayed in Gabon.
“I was forced into child labor at the age of 7 when my aunt made me start wash dishes at her friend’s chop bar. I was also forced to sell water in the street. I worked from 6 AM to 6 PM every day, Sunday being my only off day to go see my grandmother.”
Hamadiya was very passionate about pursuing an education. She wanted to go to school with the other kids her age but couldn’t.
“My aunty told me that I was not intelligent enough to go to school so street vending and dish washing is the only job I could do. I wanted education life so badly.”
She feels she never had the opportunity to be a kid, and show her family she could do well in school if she was given the chance.
“My aunt used me and violated my right as a child. She denied my education. It feels so bad.”
Hamadiya explained her past dreams to become a doctor to be able to help other people.
“Instead, I ended up washing dishes and street vending, selling all kinds of things, while my friends were in school studying. I know there are many kids that are going through this. I want justice for them. Nothing is being done about this. It’s not fair.”
Comments