First of all, big thanks to you guys following this project right from the onset, helping in any way and every way you can, by reading, sharing, leaving uplifting words in the comment section, thank you.

In case you missed the preview, find it here, so you know what to expect. If you are not sure what Beneath the Smile is about, please check the preview out.

The project aims at looking beyond the smiles of the next person, to see what’s really beneath, what’s really going on? How people really need help and won’t bother saying anything about it but would rather cover it up with a façade of strength, with a smile.
It’s time to look beneath the smile and lend a helping hand. People are going through real things, these are their stories.

The Project so far:

Beneath the Smile I by Anonymous Writer

Beneath the Smile, II retold by @Its_kash

Beneath the Smile, III (FICTION) by @bRinEstAkeS

Now, we are doing something different, getting true stories from our readers who are willing to share, ready to let go or at least, try at it. Some of them, letting it out for the first time ever. Giving it a shot.

Thank you for sending your stories in and those who requested to stay Anonymous would stay Anonymous. I wouldn’t abuse this rare privilege. Thank you.

You can still send in your stories to obafuntay@gmail.com

We have decided to share these stories, for three reasons. First, a face plastered with a ‘smile’ can hide a lot of things and people need to know that there is help and people are ready to help. Second, this may serve as a lifeline to someone, anyone. You are not alone and there are people out there going through the same thing, there’s hope. Third, this is where we all come in, where we give advice and be of help, because the real people going through all of these shared, would be reading what we all have to say, what you think they should do.

We hope that you’d be kind enough to leave a comment. Your feedback is important to us.

What’s really beneath the smile? Is Hope a myth?

These are not just stories.

Her Story, I by Anonymous writer

But the insecurities still linger,
my body still bears the scars,
my memory never lets me forget,
I want to love, I want to laugh,

I am Oluwatomi Simpson

‘Her Story, II’ by @TheSilentMaeve

…It was my salvation I never saw.  When random people would randomly open their bibles and read out random passages. I shut them out because they were just adding to the noise in my head…

I am Adanna

‘His Story, I’ by @FrankUgo_

‘His Story, II’ by @Siji_B

…Last night, I couldn’t sleep so I did what a ‘normal’ kid would do. I popped 2 pills of ‘Kalms’ and entered a really deep sleep. I shouldn’t be abusing prescription drugs but I do it anyway…

I am Siji Bamgboye

 ‘Her Story, IV’ by Anonymous writer

…I felt that if we were friends, then they couldn’t see me as girlfriend material and that was more comforting than the fact that I was fat and…

I am Amarachi Nzekwe

 ‘Her Story, V’ by Anonymous writer

…For a very long time I never thought about it,not until I was a teenager and I became aware of what he’d done to me,what he had taken away from me…

Adedolapo Thomas

These are just some of the stories

Please do subscribe to the blog to follow the project. “Beneath the Smile” continues tomorrow! {Saturday – Monday – Wednesday – Friday – Sunday, ati be be lo }. You do not want to miss this! 8am!

If you have any stories to share, mail us: obafuntay@gmail.com