My name is Denise Mwenedata and I was born in Rwanda in 1985. I am the fourth child of eight so our home was always full of people. I loved playing with my siblings. My parents were both teachers, and my dad became a headmaster when I was young. They encouraged my siblings and I to study hard. I always thought that I would be doctor when I grew up, but in April 1994 &hel....
On Sunday 9th February 2014, our home was ravaged by bushfire. It was a time of devastation and darkness. Losing everything isolates and irrevocably changes you. Coming to terms with the fact that everything was gone, all but the dress I was wearing when I fled the fire was confronting and surreal. I remember the day I went back and sat in the ashes, alone, thinking, “If I si....
I did not grow up an animal lover or with any dreams of living a rural life. In fact, when I was in my early twenties I spent some time living and working near London and in the heart of the city of Edinburgh. I loved the energy and excitement of city living and always thought that would be the world I would return to. So no one was more surprised than me when in …....
It’s 2:00AM. I’ve been dozing off on the couch in the living room next to my son’s makeshift bedroom that we’ve created for him. It used to be the playroom. We like having him here because he’s close to where we do most of our life—the living room and kitchen. My husband is sleeping upstairs in our bedroom and will come to switch with me soon. Our nurse cancelle....
My name is Bunsiri ‘Boon’ Phuengkaew. I live in Thailand. I have been almost completely blind from birth. I can see the outlines of big buildings; I can see faces, but no details. I can’t see smiles, blinks or when people pull faces. I can’t remember faces, but I do recognise voices. I can’t see steps when I’m walking. I use my feet when I clean to f....
