Dancing into friendships

Alone. Her parents abandoned her as a tiny fragile baby. A child with bow legs was feared as being cursed by evil spirits. So, she had barely lived in the world for a month when they considered raising this child too great a burden. They fled in the night leaving her on a doorstep. Simply a doorstep.  A new little life, neglected; waiting for the terrors of the night to devour her.

Yet, in this heart-breaking event, there were angels to guard and protect her. There was a plan for this beautiful life. The next morning her Grandmotherhad become aware of the horrors of that night and hurried to her rescue. Shewas saved. Mariama Feika’s life was beginning.



Raising a granddaughter in Africa presented severe hardships.

Yet, this courageous lady confronted each challenge with admirable strength striving to give her a bright future.  Mariama needed this strong belief in her future to survive. There were mounting daily frustrations. It was becoming an exhausting struggle for her Grandmother to work so hard, good nutrition was difficult to find for merely a few pennies, and the torments towards Mariama’s physical condition continued to escalate.

However, as she grew into a little girl, Mariama fought for the flicker of hope her Grandmother believed in.  Her feisty nature emerged which has given her the determination to survive the traumas she has suffered. Despite the daily battles, a strong bond grew uniting them.

This is evident when her Grandmother fondly remembers the times she held little Mariama’s hand so she could stroll to the mosque with Mariama skipping beside her. Then came a time when she chose to send her to a Christian school which offered the best education. This was a grave sacrifice. She graciously opened the door for Mariama to enter into another religion “…in support of the best learning opportunities for her future”, she smiles reminiscently.

At four years old Mariama embraced Christianity with her heart. Her daily strife was relieved in joyous bursts of gospel songs and flamboyant African dance. Where some children would have retreated this little girl had solid determination supported by a walk of faith. She believed whole-heartedly that God would heal her legs. It was just a small matter of timing.



Mariama and her Grandmother’s
close bond was displayed during
their stay on the Africa Mercy.



Then one day her Grandmother heard a radio jingle announcing Mercy Ships had arrived in Sierra Leone. At the screening Mariama received an overwhelming offer for treatment. There had never been such a whirl of excitement in their simple home as they prepared for the trip.

A few days later they boarded the ship. Her Grandmother was suddenly wrapped in anguish. Mariama felt a wave of vulnerability wash over her for the first time in her young life.  “It’s just a matter of walking through the storm” her Grandmother recalls.   However, there was no storm awaiting instead, they were greeted by a room of smiling nurses who immediately swept them into their reassuring compassionate world.

Mariama made an immediate impression. With her burgundy twisted hair in a pineapple ponytail she was known to mischievously peep out from behind the hospital beds. For the first time her charismatic spark disguised her determined fiery attitude.

Mariama’s mischievous ways return after the heavy casts are removed from her legs

Her world was a wonderful place before the surgery. Nobody tormented her. She was free to revel in this new happiness.

After the surgery the pain set in. Every day became tougher as the pain increased. Her legs were encased in thick casts restricting every movement. Her Grandmother feared she would never walk again which cast a new shadow of sadness on their existing troubles back at home. Mariama fought this as she knew how. She was consumed by anger hitting out at all those caring for her.

The kindness and compassion surrounding her continued. As the pain subsided, her anger dissipated.  Below her feisty persona there was an abundance of love ready to shine when her life’s troubles were momentarily forgotten. 

Surrounded by caring compassion Mariama discovers
happiness aboard the hospital ship

 As this love stirred up inside her heart she began to sing her favourite gospel songs. With great delight the ward joyfully joined in. The music flowed through her like water and then the beats began to catch her heart and her body erupted into rhythmic African moves.  In these moments her heavily cast legs were no longer a burden.

 

Mariama receives a wonderful surprise
gift of new shoes for school

It encouraged her to practise walking. Soon the casts were removed and she was preparing to return home. Then sadness cast over them once more. As Mariama’s health had been restored her feet had grown. She had no shoes. Without shoes she was unable to go to school. On the last night before she went home she received a surprise gift.  A crew member touched by her gospel faith had observed this potential trouble and bought her new pink sandals for school.

Mariama was elated! Her anger was long forgotten and she was ready to tackle the world with love. She had brought new happiness to her Grandmother who smiled “Praise God!”

Mariama’s smile ready to light up the world before returning home