Sickle Cell Warrior #9

10003 Sickle Cell Warrior #9

Mercy A

19 Warrior Years

I don't know what it is with girls and their fathers', perhaps a father can give us a bit of introspect into this subject.

When i first met Mercy, she like many other younger warriors were very keen to participate in the project. To speak out about a very sensitive issue that affects numerous young girls in Kenya takes a great deal of courage.

Courage is the one thing that i was reminded of when i talked to Mercy. She has faced great hardship in her daily battle with Sickle Cell disease. Many times she has had to stay in one class as her classmates advanced to the next level, as she tries to catch up on the missed lessons. In a system that doesn't quite cater for special needs students with SCD, many of them are shunned by teachers and deemed not good enough or just another non-performing cliche. 

Mercy however rose above those mental models society knowingly or unknowingly bestows on us. The biggest one being, Sickle Cell Warriors are lazy, dumb and sickly. 

 Here's how Mercy sees things

“Being a warrior does not make you different from others. Most of us have been told a lot about our lives but in all I have built my faith on hope and faith. I have ignored the voices of doctors and anyone who pulls my hope down, that’s why I’m still moving on. In all I've trusted in God.”

Love Life!

Lea