Please forgive if English not good. 

My name Maritu.  I 12 years old.  I live in Africa, in country of Sudan.

I live with mamma, and my sixteen brothers and sisters.  There were 23 of us, but seven die.  I miss them.  They were only babies when they die.

My father, he die in war.  I never see him again.  I miss him too.

I go to school, but it hard.  I no smart; take me long time to learn things. 

English is one thing I learn.  It not easy.

Sometimes people, they tease me.  Say I talk or read stupid, like baby.  It make me cry when other people tease me.  I don't like school, especially when other kids make fun of me.

When I not at school, I help mamma with my sixteen brothers and sisters that still be home.  Some go away to secondary school or to other areas, so they can get good jobs (and hopefully money to help us out; we poor).

I get the water; I walk ten miles to get clean water.  Water near where we live very dirty; we could get sick if we have bad water.  Sometimes that happens; in fact, that is how some of my brothers and sisters die: they have malaria, yellow fever, or other bad sickness. Nothing could be done to save them; it make us all very sad.

I get scared sometimes because I see lions, hippos, or other dangerous animals.  I worry they might try to attack or eat me.  This is why I have my oldest brother Joseph go with me, so I don't get eaten.

When I get home with water, I am most happy.  Then we have clean water to do our clothes, use for bath or drink, or for our cooking.  I do a lot of the cooking when mamma tired or when she take care of the little children.  Mamma, she have AIDS.

I feel sad because I know Mamma will die, but for now, she not too bad.  She can still get up and do things, but she get tired fast-fast, then she have to lie down and take nap.

Then when she die, I will be mamma to my brothers and sisters.  I take care of them good; I am a good helper to my mamma.

Well, I have to go eat; it is lunch time here at school.  I write again soon; until later, this is Maritu saying so long!  May God bless you!

~Love, your new friend in Africa, Maritu Grace Kjeli.  :)

*To be continued.*