One Dollar One Meal

I am an eleven year old girl from an minor ethenic group. My village is in a very remote province where only a few men can ride a motorbike and know how to use a smart phone. I don't know how I acquaint the blindness as well as the age of onset. My mom only told me that I was blind after birth. I also do not know my father because he left my mom and me after realizing my mom's pregnancy. 

Even I had never gone to school before the blind school, I still took the responsibility of cleaning and feeding the pigs. I know how to chop the banana trunk into slices. I also wash the clothes for everyone. Unfortunately, I do not have a nice childhood. Since my mom got married to a man and gave birth to my two little siblings. They are very cute, but my step-father is not as kind as they are. 

Luckily, a missionary sister who travels to my village every weekend helps to seek a school for me. She convinces my parents to send me to a blind school of sisters. After many discussions between the sister and my family, my mom decided to take me to school because she was very ill. She believed that she would not be able to protect me any more. I was either doubtful or nervous. I did not think I could learn as many adults in my village said it was impossible for a blind child to learn. I was so nervous because it was my first time to get out of the clan. 

Getting to integrate into school life, I have chances to know more visually impaired peers. They all can learn. Some of my friends are younger than I, but they are going to normal elementary schools to learn with sighted children. They also can play music instruments and independently walk to school with a white stick. I have some friends. I like to play with a girl who is younger than I. We play rope jumping every afternoon after the classes. At first, I thought I could not live in the school since I am the only ethenic girl. However, living here my life has been changed in posittive ways. Just one month, I am able to navigate around by my own, read and write all alphabet characters and sovle simple maths. I belive I will be going the inclusive program next school year. 

I am thankful for being at school. I know that my parents pay nothing to the sisters. I have good meals, nice bed, and beautiful uniform. The sisters told me to pray for donors who help them educate and accomodate me. I promise to pray for you all. I promise to study my best.