One Dream and One Girl
Life's choice - chapter 1
Life can turn out to be whatever you choose it to be, through which ever path you take, some of them are your choice, and some are chosen for you. Your actions mainly determine this. Your dreams can come true if you try, you are the dreamer.
My dream is merely the start of what I experienced, the epic journey took me by no surprise, but what was left after did.
The chase- chapter 2
School was hard for me as I have never settled down in one place since I was 4 or 5, for I have been to many countries and experienced far more than imaginable.
It is late and the darkness is starting to surround me. "Run for it Eleza" screeched a passing school boy. My hearts racing, I do not know what is to become of me if I do not take action immediately. I wait for my family to return, but if I do not act now, I fear I shall not survive. I ran, men as were chasing me from behind. (My mother never told me why we were always running from the police; I assumed they just didn't like us.) "STOP or we will have to use force!" shouted the biggest man running. I wasn't giving up yet, I don't know my way around this village because I move all the time, but I did know where the forest was. If I could run fast enough, maybe I could lose them in there. While running I took off my bag and left it on the floor, so that I could get away faster. I think it took me about 20 minutes to loose them after that, but eventually they gave up, or at least for now they did anyway.
I am lost and without my family. Being only 13 I know of merely the basic survival skills. I lay down on a moss covered rock and tried to get some sleep,
as tomorrow may have more surprises in store.
Forestry environment- chapter 3
I awoke early the following day, as the floor was wet and damp due to lightly fallen rain during last night. The forest was beautiful; I had never seen it at sunrise before. Beams of light shone though the gaps between trees, birds chirped as the day arose. I was hungry and didn't have any food as I had dropped it on my way up into the forest. I lifted up a fallen branch and ate the little bugs within, bugs and creepy crawlies may sound a disgusting morning breakfast but when you are used to eating leftover scraps it really isn't that bad. While walking through the forest that day I came across many new animals and I learned more and more about them. I was completely lost, but somehow I found it fun living out there with no rules or restrictions. I felt stress free for once and wanted to discover more, but as night fell I found an ancient hollow tree and rested within. Days came and went, with time not being a worry. Each day I would come across something new and wonderful; the animals became more and more aware that I pass by with no intention to harm them, so they became friendlier towards.
New forest creatures- chapter 4
It was gradually getting warmer and warmer as winter came to an end. I became very aware of the changes that were happening within the forests animals; more were being born and more were leaving their families to fend for themselves. One animal I became very fond of was the baby Deer; I woke up on a frosty spring morning and was shocked to see a baby deer helpless with no mother or father. I walked up to the animal and it was so young that it didn't even know what danger was. I waited in a bush for a while to see if its parents would return, but no one appeared. I went up to the deer and stroked its back; it immediately chose me as its mother. As a child without a family beside me, I knew how sad the poor deer might feel, so I helped it to its feet and then stepped back and took a look at it, then said to it "I see you're a boy, therefore I am going to call you... um ... Oscar after my little brother I miss dearly."
Bad Men- chapter 5
Oscar and I took off together and ran through the misty morning forest until Oscar came to a sudden Holt. I didn't know why; I think he smelt something in the air. I told Oscar to remain calm as I went to check out what was in front of us that was scaring him, just before I was about to poke my head through the long reeds, I heard a tremendous crash as men in the far distance shouted "TIMBER." I stepped back in terror; I remained calm so that they wouldn't notice me. I looked around, and all I could see were animals running away into the heart of the forest to keep safe. Some of the men were big and strong so I was not prepared to start an argument with them. They had already torn down an eighth of the ancient trees among this forest. I looked back at Oscar and whispered "its ok, we will get them back." So I jumped onto his back and we rode through the forest in desperation, trying to find something, anything that could help us stop these bad men destroying the beautiful forest. It was almost lunch time now, so we sat down on the soft mossy ground and looked around for any food available. Oscar had a good nose for sniffing out food and he came across a recently planted crab apple tree. They were delicious, far better than the grubs or in Oscar's case grass that we had been eating. I knew that people wanted to save our forest, and I would have done a petition for them to sign, but I fear that if I go back into the village I was driven away from, they might take me away. Oscar lay down on the floor by the crab apple tree and shortly after fell asleep. I was hardly tired so crept away for a while. I found a little rock on the edge of the forest and sat down; I could see what felt like most of England from up there, it was a spectacular view. The wind started picking up, and rain was starting to fall, so I went back to Oscar, and pulled up some of the thick moss from the rocks and placed it over me as a blanket. That night I dreamt about the men in the forest and I saw the happiness on their faces as they tore down the trees, this picture in my mind filled me with anger and gave me a restless night. The next morning it felt was going to be more of an adventurous day. I thought that; rather than making Oscar scared by saying we are going to hang around with the bad men. I told him that we are going to play a detective game where we look for clues as to why they are tearing down the land.
Looking for the clues- chapter 6
I leaped up onto his back and off we went, we were sat just outside where they were camping for the night and watched them throughout the day. At about 11 or mid morning we noticed that the men were smartening up for something; I didn't understand why because they were only going to get it grubby again. Then I looked over to my left, and in the far distance a big man with a smart suit and a sash saying 'MAYOR' addressed the men by saying "you aren't doing this fast enough! Any day now the builders will be here with the housing bricks, I want my mansion build quickly." The shortest man then said "but what about the animals, isn't this a big enough area for your house?" then the majors face screwed up and yelled "it is your flipping job isn't it, now get on with it, or someone else will be taking your job!" The working men hurried back to work as the mayor left. I could see the tears build up in the smallest builder's eyes; he looked as if he was only 16 or 17, but although I felt pitiful of him, that didn't stop me from searching their tent as they went out. I found little clues as to how this mansion was going to be built. But did however find a good hollow tree to sleep in that night, as the day drew to a close I thought about ways in which I could help this catastrophe and I had so many but none were really ever going to happen. Moment's later rainfall was upon us Oscar hid under the fern tree leaves until the rain stopped, and then it struck me, the idea that just might save the forest.
Putting plans to practice- chapter 7
Oscar woke me up early that morning trying to get in the tree with me because outside the weather was drizzly and damp. I let him in but I got out so that I could take a more detailed look at this new development. As always I silently crept towards the construction site, but this time I went round back to see if there was a back entrance into the workers cabin. "Did you hear that?" pondered a worker; "yeah, I will go out back and see what's there" answered the ...
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Putting plans to practice- chapter 7
Oscar woke me up early that morning trying to get in the tree with me because outside the weather was drizzly and damp. I let him in but I got out so that I could take a more detailed look at this new development. As always I silently crept towards the construction site, but this time I went round back to see if there was a back entrance into the workers cabin. "Did you hear that?" pondered a worker; "yeah, I will go out back and see what's there" answered the younger work boy.
I ran back into the forest hoping none had seen me, as I watched the younger boy walk round the cabin I remembered his reaction the other day and wondered why someone with such a caring mind could possibly work for such a treacherous job.
Many hours passed till Oscar came back to me, I knew my plan would only work if the men finished the same time as last night, so I left so that they could finish their days work in a shorter time. Through the forest I walked with Oscar and through the damp dripping trees we pondered. I sat on a rock near the local reservoir; there I sat from dusk till dawn, tis now that my idea should be put forth. I walked slowly through the dark night's forest till I was back at the site. I saw the big machinery glaring down through the forest, I slipped through the back window of the cabin so not to let the construction guard get suspicious. The cabin shook slightly as I climbed in and gave me the same fast heart rate beat as before, luckily for me, no one noticed. The cabin wasn't warm nor comfortable either, the curtains draped half way across each window and the toilet stank of smells unimaginable. I looked on the surface top and saw nothing, I looked in the cupboards and saw nothing, I didn't know where else to look, the plans were here because that was where they left it every night, but where could they be? I was heating up and was scared for my life, all would be over if the man on guard stepped in now. Then suddenly I spotted the blueprints of the construction, I quickly ripped them up and left no evidence of my trace. I tried to climb through the window, I was caught on something in the room, something is holding me back, I was shaking and feared the thing holding me back, I was pulled back into the room by a strong hand, I knew that it was over so I didn't try to escape, then the man turned on the light and looked at me in the face. I knew this face from somewhere before, I looked into his eyes and then it struck me; it was the younger worker boy from before.
Change of plans- chapter 8
"What are you doing here? If my boss comes back then you're dead!" whispered the man. I looked down to the floor and told him "I've seen what your doing to our forest, do have no heart for these poor little animals, its spring, new borns, most now without a home to live in thanks to your building site!" the man stepped back in shame "I know, and I don't like it either, I have to do this because it is my dad that is the boss" I knew it was hard for him and I knew he was one of the ones that is helping to destroy the forest, but something inside of me told me that he was willing to help me out. "Meet me by the big rocks near the reservoir tomorrow at dawn" whispered the man again, "ok, but I hope I can trust you."
I slowly slid out into the forest and fell asleep next to Oscar, and awaited the rendez vous tomorrow.
"Awake girl, awake" said a calming voice; I opened my eyes to the maximum my morning eyes could stand and there stood the boy from the night before, I rose up to his sweet voice and questioned his early meet up. "I thought we were meeting by the rocks?"
"we were but plans have changed, the mayor is coming up today to see our work and claims that if is not build by the end of the month then he will give us the sac!"
I had many questions to ask him but was too anxious to ask.
He had brought a horse to ride on through the forest and I leapt on Oscar's back and we rode back to the site and discovered the mayor with a new blue print sheet and bigger plans. "let us look beyond the simple ways of stopping this, if we are even going to get close to cracking this then plans will have to go by the courageous tasks" he proclaimed.
"I know but it's not like we have any plans" I replied
"Who said that?" he whispered in my ear
Minutes later he took me into the heart of the forest and told me the plan, it was very risking and if all didn't fall into place then things could go horribly wrong.
Doing it His way- chapter 9
We waited for night to be upon us it was then that we could make our move, it wasn't long until all nocturnal animals were making noises in the far distance and day animals went to rest for the night. Oscar noted the signal, to say everything was clear and then in we went, the floor was wet and walls dripped, bats flew above our heads as we moved forward. Oscar wasn't prepared to go on, so he leapt back into the forest and awaited our return. "Where next?" I asked,
"We get hold of the keys which are hidden in the chest in the cabin."
We sneaked through the destroyed trees then onto the cabin's porch.
"Is there someone in there?" I questioned
"No, he is on guard by the machines" replied the worker.
I was hungry; I hadn't eaten since early morning, but I wasn't going to let my hunger get in the way of this.
The worker tried opening the door but something was jamming it from the other side.
suddenly he stopped, then stepped back. He went pale. I was scared; I didn't know what the meaning of this was. I asked him "what's wrong, what did you see?"
There was no reply, I asked again, but still no reply. Then I also stepped back for a better look.
"Ahhhhh" I screamed, the builder had a arrow gauging sharply into his back, I tried to call for help but I was grabbed and within seconds was deep in the forest with only a strange man circling me, I felt alone and was shaking from the neck downwards, my mind was in all thoughts, I couldn't understand what was going on, I didn't know why someone would want to do this to me. The mysterious thing knelt down in front of me then took hold of my head and tied a black piece of cloth over my eyes. Within a few moments of doing that there was no noise around, not even the owls everything was silent. I thought that the stranger had gone so I attempted to climb to my feet and get out of this place, I managed to stand up but before I could take off my blindfold the stranger had returned, with only the footsteps to hear I couldn't tell where he was, I was too scared to move, my legs felt so heavy and my heart felt like ice.
Keep quiet and stay hidden- chapter 10
"Sit" demanded a voices from behind, I sat immediately so not to start anything.
The strange man ripped the blindfold from my face with not a care, the mystery person appeared tall and stocky, but it was hard to describe him because he was wearing a black robe and a scarf rapped around him mouth to cover up his face.
I really wanted to ask him questions about what he was going to do to me but I knew that if I spoke then worse fate shall become of me. I kept quiet for over 3 hours as the man took various phone calls to others, then he stood high above me and said "this is a private site, trespassers will be prosecuted, if I catch you again then you shall be doing community service for the next 4 years is that what you want?"
I was stunned by what he said and I don't know what became of me but rage built up inside of me and I couldn't control my anger "This is not your land!" I shouted at him
"Say that again and your locked up" replied the man, now glaring fiercely at me
"This is not your land; this is not your land! The forest is natures land and your construction is killing it!" I kneed him with all my strength I had left and then raced through out of the forest and down the back alley of the village I once lived.
The man didn't follow, he was still in pain. I was confused, I laughed at how stupid I was doing that, but it felt so good to show my anger towards the forestry disaster.
This knew that this wasn't the end of the man, he would be back, but next time I will hopefully be a bit more prepared. "Eleza is that you?" Cried a soft voice
"Mum? Mum is that you?" I didn't think it was possible
"Eleza I knew you would come back" she replied
"I have to go mum sorry, I can't get close to you because it will rip you apart when I leave again, sorry" I shouted while running away down the street
"No Eleza no! I can't cope without you" screeched mum
That was the last time I ever saw my mum. Gun shots were fired shortly after I had left, and I just assumed that the police heard her and found out where she was hiding.
I knew that the police would be after me soon so I searched refuge on the out skirts of the village, fortunately a couple were also on the run from the police so I went into a home with them, it wasn't an amazing home but at least it provided a roof over my head and food for my empty stomach. "Why are you running from the police?" I questioned the couple,
"because of our religion, people here do not support our beliefs and say that we don't belong in this community" they stopped, they were going to say more but they could see that I was too tired to listen and so they rested my head in the cloth and rug bed they had made up for me, I thanked them. I started to shiver as it got later into the night so I moved my bed closer to the raging fire to keep warm. I woke up the next morning still feeling incredibly tired because I didn't sleep very well. The couple were very kind to me, for breakfast they gave me a cup of milk and also a piece of bread. Once I had finished eating my food I told the couple what my situation was and what my plans are, they took it as quite a surprise but understood completely and even offered to help out. Knowing that they were old enough to earn a living I stayed along side them for many days. Later on that evening we gathered around the beaming fire and chatted for hours and hours, that was until there was a knock at the door, "shh, Eleza hide quickly" said the couple silently. I tip toed towards the wooden toy chest and climbed in.
"open up!" demanded a strong deep voice,
The woman opened the door to the strange dark clothed man.
"on the floor, now!" he shouted again
The did as he said, I couldn't see everything but I could see through a little hole in the side of the chest. Even before the couple could have a chance to speak, the man shot them both in the head. As that bullet pierced into their skull I cringed and couldn't bare the sight, I wanted to cry but any noise could give me the same shot to the head.
The strange dark man left, dragging the 2 bodies behind him.
I broke out of the toy chest and went to the bathroom; I splashed water onto my face to revive my self, I knew it wasn't worth getting worked up about as I already had a mission to complete. But this incident just made me more determined to get back at the mayor.
What's next? - Chapter 11
Screaming with silent rage I crept through the village of murderers. My mind was spinning and I had headaches slicing in and out my skull. I noticed the mayor walking down the street, I followed not too far behind, by the looks of it he was walking towards the forest, I wanted to go see if Oscar was ok but didn't want to chance getting caught. I gave up on following the mayor because he walked into a building and then just disappeared out of sight. I then focused on getting into the forest to see the construction so far. It had been raining the night before so the way up the hill was wet and slippery, I fell many times, but easily managed to get back up again. When I finally reached the top of the hill I saw that the construction hadn't progressed much at all. I went around back to see more, "Eleza..PST..Eleza over here" came a whisper from behind. "hey, how are you here, I saw you had a arrow in your back, you cant be alive!" I stepped back in shock,
"that was a tranquiliser, the guard saw me and assumed I was trying to steal the blueprint, so shot me simple mistake, I'm sorry I scared you like that."
"are you still willing to help me then?" I wanted to get this over with so I wasn't going to laze about.
"don't worry about the building Eleza, since you've been gone I have spoken to the mayor and many arguments were fought, but I have managed to convince them to make the building eco friendly. It will cost a lot more money to make but you are the reason why many animals in this forest will be preserved and protected well done!"
"thank-you for doing this for me, how can I repay you for this?" I felt incredibly happy that someone was inspired by me.
"come down to the mayors office with me tonight, I think he wants to talk to you" replied the boy.
"are you mad! I will be killed!" I shouted
"no seriously I can honestly say that you are safe with me, please trust me as I trusted you before" pleaded the boy
I felt that if I didn't go then it would be mean because he had helped me out a great deal and I should help him in return.
"ok then, but if anything should go wrong then may your thoughts be guilty for ever"
I accepted to see what the mayor wanted. I went off into the forest to get ready for tonight, I found Oscar beneath a big branch where we once stayed. He followed me down to the lake, I took a swim to clean off so not to get bad impressions with the mayor. The time passed and by the time I had dried off and got back to the construction site it was already time to go.
"come on then we best get a move on" I said while already walking.
We reached the mayors present house on time, we knocked on the door and waited for a response.
Helping out- chapter 12
"Enter please" spoke a well mannered butler
"Just stay calm and when the mayor wants to talk then let him" demanded the boy
"Hello Eleza, I have heard many stories of you, I understand that you like to stand up for what you believe in, am I right?" said the mayor in a strong voice
"Yes, you are correct" I answer in the simplest way possible
"I want you to do a favour for me, I will pay for your food and sleeping place, you wonder why, but I really do think that you have the courage we need, do you think you can manage to stand up for what you believe in even if the opposition is bigger?."
I thought for a while before proclaiming my reply,
"I would love to take hold of the responsibility of helping out, but do not understand why you would choose me to do this, I was being chased by your men the other day, how can I know that I can trust you?" I still wasn't convinced but if what he was saying was true then I would be overwhelmed and hopefully do a good job.
"Ok, I guess I should tell you now, I haven't been completely straight with you, I will look after the forest here for you, but you must leave to southern Africa to do a job for me, flight is paid for, and you will be helping the green team to help decrease the amount of de forestation, and also in your free time you will be helping the smaller children in the schools but if you do not accept this then your precious forest will be burned to the ground for my house to be bigger! So the choice is yours."
It wasn't much of a choice so I just did what I had to and agreed to go.
"I will go but Oscar must be able to fly over with me!"
"I'm sorry but it is illegal for wild animals like Oscar to fly over on the plane with you"
I knew he was right so I just gave in, but made sure that he is promised to be looked after by the mayor.
I looked back and went to talk to my friend,
"I've never been to Africa, is this a nice place to be?"
"I haven't ever been either, but I do know that it is a third world country, with children that need your help" replied my friend.
The mayor went out the room and talked to another man about the trip, I was shacking but not because I was scared, just because I was filled with many emotions, I was actually quite excited.
Journey and arrival - chapter 13
I set off early the following morning and endured 12 long tiring hours on the flight to northern Africa, then another 9 hours on a train to my destination. When I got off the train my legs were numb and floppy. When I arrived I was directed into a small long building and was told what I should do.
The mayor explained that he is only here today then will be flying home tomorrow, and then he introduced me to my mentor.
"Eleza, I hope that your stay here will be pleasurable, my name is Mandisa please come meet our youngest residents in our village."
I was taken into a classroom where little children stared at the teacher, they gave her all their attention, there was no shouting, it was just calm nice place to learn.
I didn't want to disturb them so instead I went into the village centre and saw just how hard it was for them to survive.
"Could I have a cup of water please?" I asked a local
The man said nothing, he walked over to a well and scooped out a bucket of water, I went over to him, he handed me the bucket.
"Is this what you drink everyday?" I wondered I looked into the bucket; the water was cloudy with dirt floating on the surface. This wasn't what I was expecting, I was hoping that the people hadn't been drinking this for too long, this water isn't drinkable and could kill if the wrong bits are drank.
"It is the end of the school day now, come with me to see the children" said Mandisa
I followed her to the classroom again and met up with the kids, meeting them made me feel important, I felt like I was a vital part of their lives, and that I could make a difference to their lives.
"Hello, my name is Keon, what's your name?" questioned a young boy
"Eleza, I am here to help you and your class friends out.
"Yay, no-ones ever come to our village before, other than Aitan, your mayor"
"Is your mum going to pick you up from school?" I just wanted to talk to him, I wanted to make friends.
"My mum is gone" Keon fell silent and faced the ground "she is gone, but my dad is in the fields. I have to go; my older sister has a disease and needs all the support she can get." Before I could get a chance to comfort him he was gone.
I walked down the road and met up with Mandisa.
"Come; come quick, its Keon's sister! She is in desperate need of help."
I didn't rely, I just ran with her to his home.
There was a huge gathering of people out side of the house; me and Mandisa stepped into the sweltering house mounted of sad people, the mood was unbearable and cries came from the room that Keon's sister lay.
I ran into the room and looked into the eyes of the girl, I could see that she was in a cycle of eternal pain; I knew this was an incurable disease and couldn't help but feel sorry for the girl, at such a young age, (2 years younger than me and 3 years older than Keon.)
I left the house and went to the little mud cottage where I was staying, I sat on the bed and relaxed, I can't stand emotional moments, it just brings back bad memories that I'd rather not think about.
There was a knock at the door,
"Hello, Eleza are you in there?" sobbed a voice from behind the door,
I went over to the door to find Keon looking at me then grasped my waist and burst into tears I hugged him for over 10 minutes before he let go and sat next to me on the bed and told me the tragic news about his sister. His father kindly invited me to the funeral then took Keon back home to get some sleep.
I was shattered and was shocked by how much happened to me in one day, and was glad when the day came to a close. But I was eager to see what tomorrow had in store for me.
African life - chapter 14
"Eleza, Eleza time to get up" whispered a soft voice in my ear
I couldn't talk because my lips were so dry and crisp they remained sealed, I leapt out of bed. They gave me a towel and a bucket of water to wash my face with.
The first job of the day was to cover a simple lesson of spelling; I walked to the classroom with the children and was introduced to them all. I then started off the lesson by asking each individual child what they think their abilities are, this helped me to know what their level of learning is currently.
The teachers didn't have books to teach from, just a teacher that goes by memory. I didn't get an education so I wasn't doing anything too complicated; I just went over what I already knew.
The school day wasn't very long because the children got too hot in the classroom, after the class Mandisa met me outside. She told me that I was here to make a difference to the people's lives and that I should try to make some tasks up for myself to complete. I thought for just a few moments then decided what I was going to do next. Keon showed me around the village and pointed over to the forest, or what remained of it anyway. I told him that I will protest against the men but I couldn't use force.
"I think I have a plan, what is the cutest creature in your forest?" I questioned
"The baby monkeys are cute, they live high in the trees" Keon replied
"Let's go then" I shouted to him while running through the forest.
Keon knew that there was only a slim chance that my plan would work and so he didn't get his hopes up.
It took a while to spot any wildlife in the forest because the noise of the chainsaws had frightened them half to death, I crept up quietly to one of the babies, the mother was higher in the trees so she didn't see me coming, Keon gently lifted down the monkey and handed it to me, then we walked for miles and miles to find the campsite of the tree murderers and once there Keon gave a good firm knock on the door and waited for a response.
"Who's there" came a voice behind them
I turned around quickly and addressed them,
"We are begging you please stop cutting down the trees, so many animals die because you have taken away their home and family, here is a monkey that is calling out for your help" I had to make up a sad story about the monkey or it wouldn't take effect.
"I am just against it as you but we must do this otherwise we are out of jobs and wont be able to afford to survive."
I could see that the man wasn't the kind to give up easily and so I diverted to the second plan,
"you know, we will always have a place for you in the village and even though you have had you arguments with them, I'm sure if you stop cutting the trees down they will be happy to take you in." if this didn't work then we were screwed.
"This is something I will consider, it wont be immediate but you idea will not be discarded, don't come back, we will move I'm due course." The turned and walked away into their house, we went back to the village and carefully put the baby monkey back exactly where we found it. I went back to my where I slept the night before and rested there. As I lay I thought about all the changes I could make to this village if I put my mind to it, I wasn't an adult, but the village treated me as one and made me feel wanted. This was when I knew, my dream has become a reality, I wanted to make a difference to the world and help those in more need than me. For once in my life I feel that I have done my parents proud and just wish that they could be here beside me.
Everyday for over a month I got up and helped around the village, and every evening I would visit Keon's mother and comfort her because the loss of her daughter was still on her mind. I had gone through so many adventures in my life and only in 1 year I had gone half way across the world and have witnessed life and death pass me by, and yet am still at a young age of 14, but my birthday is next week and the village kindly offered to have a little bonfire to celebrate, Keon even offered to sing a traditional African song called Kpanlogo this song had a strong meaning behind it but he wanted to sing it because it had a great tune to it.
Free life takes a change - chapter 15
Keon was now a big part of my life and was like a brother to me, his mum was a thoughtful woman and she welcomed me into her family. I took the job of permanently teaching his class and in the process I even taught myself new things and the children told me about the animals and wildlife that surrounds them.
That night Mandisa walked up to me with tears building up in her eyes, she told me that the mayor said that I couldn't stay any longer, he needed help back home.
So unfortunately my time in Africa came to an end. I was heartbroken to leave my new family, I felt like someone when I was there and didn't want to go.
"Eleza thank you for all the help that you have done for our village, and I hope that you will remember the unforgettable memories that we have shared." Mandisa said as she burst into tears and gave Keon a hug to make him feel better.
"coming here was a great adventure and if I could do it again then I would, but as I do have to go, I take nothing away from you, you have all you need in your lives and I hope that what I have taught you has made a difference to your education." This was the last thing I said to the great people that I had stayed among for months; it was a very emotional time for me and didn't want to prolong the sadness.
Moments later I was whisked off back to England to a life full of surprises beyond that of anyone else's.
Acknowledgments
Mandisa and Keon are actual African names
The song that Keon sang (Kpanlogo) is a recent African song -
A fairly recent (1940s?) highlife dance form. Dancing is high-spirited and the songs are fresh and lively. The drums are conga-like and played with hands.
Mandisa means - sweet.
The story is one that hopefully opens your eyes to the impact of de-forestation and some people's views, the girl Eleza started off as a girl running from the law, then after protesting for what she believed in, she pulled though and went to another country to help those in need of more help than herself, I hope that the book showed you that you can do anything if you really put your mind to it.
The strangers in the book are when she flies over to Africa she is introduced strangers.