The Problem "Will You Help Me?"

“WillYouHelpMe” is a very pretty young girl, with large almond shaped eyes and long black hair. Anyone would want her to be their own child. She had a younger sister, brother, mother and her father was dead. WillYouHelpMe grew up hungry and knew nothing about education and school. She did know how to forage for something to eat, spiders, snakes, ants, birds, even roots. But these were virtually non-existent for most of the year, as is water. The water is dangerous to drink, a lot of babies die of dysentery, typhoid and malaria.

One day a women came to the village, this women was treated as a friend by the adults and came at least once a year. They called her the “Money Lady.” She gives money to the adults to help them, in return for the purchase of the oldest children. The money lady promised to get the child a rich family and a better life. She would tell the parents that the children they had previously sold were all happy and healthy now! WillYouHelpMe was called by her mother to come to her. She stood by her mother and listened to the negotiations. The price was agreed, twenty five U.S dollars.  WillYouHelpMe`s mother put a dress and some rice into a rag and gave it to her. Her mother was crying and at the same time saying that it was for the best, better for her and her brother and sister.

WillYouHelpMe was only five years old. She was put into a truck, and was taken overnight on a long journey. Eventually the journey was over, she and other children had arrived at a home. She was taken to a room and locked in. she was exhausted, so she lay down on the ground and fell asleep.