Thanks for waiting. 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.

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

Today’s story was sent in by one of our readers who has asked to stay Anonymous.

This is her story.

Please Read.

The ‘Beneath the Smile’ Project.

Short Story by a nameless person.

About a mother who had a friend that knew a girl that had a girlfriend who knew a girl, who had a sister that got hurt.

Being a girl comes with a lot of pros and cons, at first its the cute clothes, to the lovely hairbands to the cute shoes.

Then the loving parents and relatives, followed by you getting scolded for not being a true ‘African child’, to the do’s and don’t s.

She had a lovely childhood till her teenage days, first touched by her family friend’s son, then her best cousin. Mother says ‘it can’t be

True, so you watched “pretty woman” now playing the part…..’  She blocked it out. Then three years after school lost her dad and confidant who protected her. Then she fell.

Prey to the cruel world of abuse…. She prayed, she fought hard, but her cute looks betrayed her and made her a victim several times, then she gave up and got lost in the thickness of the darkest side of the dark.

She fell in love, she lost it. Then changed her strategy and how she acted things out. She loved God, and then she loved herself, and then loved people.

Now she’s happy, stands tall and teaches young ones and parents how to handle abuse…. But oh boy did getting back on her feet take a while.

Know who that lost inner girl child is first, and love her, not judge her cause she finds strength in love and support…. Don’t hit her with the drums of religion but with the shoulders of care and concern.

• • •

Don’t just read, say a prayer.
A PENNY FOR YOUR THOUGHTS?

N.B. The project goes on with this afternoon’s story  ’Her Story, XXXV’ by an Anonymous writer

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

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