A New Beginning: Tawanda's Story

I stayed with my mother and father. My father used to own mini buses. One day they had a serious argument that led to my mother living the house for South Africa. We are six in my family and we all have different mothers. I remained with my father for about a year. My father brought his new wife to our house. When she came, I did not welcome her. One day I decided to spend the night at a family friend’s place and my stepmother physically abused me. I was six years old and she started to beat me and saying hurtful words. I told myself that I no longer wanted to live like this and decided to go to Harare at the age of seven. I met some children who were in the street. In the street I started to beg for food and experienced more abuse from the older boys. I smoked a whole box of cigarettes and drank alcohol. One night the police took children off the street and I was sent home to my father. My father beat me so much that I thought he no longer loves me. I thought that it was for a short time. My step mother was very ill and started to emotionally, verbally and physically abuse me. She said that people should not see me as a normal human being because I am not up to any good. I ran away from home. One day in the street I saw my father. I asked him to take me home because I was tired of street life and he said to me do we know each other. I was later taken to a children’s home and I ran away. After some time, a man who was assisting children in the street took me home to my father and step mother. They beat me so much and hurt my eye. I went to report it at the police station and stayed there for 3 days. I made a decision that I will never go back home again. I later went to stay with my grandmother. I started to steal and was taken to the police. I was later taken home and my father asked what kind of a person I was. I went back into the street. I ran away four times. I want to thank God for keeping me safe from evil. I am now living in a house and going to school. I am in grade 4. God is great to me