That’s when I started having issues at school; it became stricter, and it became hard for me to continue. I started feeling like giving up on my dreams. I felt overwhelmed and hopeless. Because of a lack of money, I couldn’t achieve the dreams that were deeply rooted in me. I felt trapped and without options.
Even though I tried, it was difficult to continue, so I began hanging around people who were into drugs and other bad influences. I started using drugs, and that’s when I got involved in selling drugs to try and pay for school and to support myself and my younger siblings. The lack of money led me down a dark path, and it became really hard to escape from it.
People around me knew I had nothing, but even the police couldn’t stop me. I got deeper into bad habits, and eventually, I couldn’t hide it anymore because everyone in my family knew what was happening. Life became very difficult, and I begged for forgiveness and understanding. I pleaded with those around me to forgive me. I was deeply sorry for my actions.
But now, I’m trying to change because this influence led me astray. I know I was wrong, and I asked for help, but there was no one to support me, and I struggled to find a better path. Even without support, I tried to find my way, but school felt far away, and I lost hope.
I couldn’t focus on anything, not even school. I tried attending school in the city, but some people there were involved in drugs, and they influenced me, making deals and promising quick money. They lied about how easy it would be, and I got pulled deeper into it.
I wasn’t like this, but I got caught up in it, and those around me didn’t care what happened. They only cared about the money and continued selling drugs. I looked at my life and thought my future was over. I felt lost like I had no way out, and I prayed to Jesus to help me find a way to escape this life.
So please, I’m begging for help. I want to change, and I don’t want to die in this life. Others have managed to turn their lives around, and I hope I can find someone to help me too. I am in prison, and I left behind four children of my own and four of my sister’s children. So, there are eight children at home with no one to care for them. Please, I am begging you.
When I was arrested, my family was left with nothing. There is no one in my family to take care of the children. Here we don’t even have visitors to support us. So, without visitors, my situation is very difficult. Please, I am begging you to understand my suffering.
I have lost my big sister. So, I am begging you, we are suffering in prison. Please help me with my sentence. I am the only one left to take care of my family. My big sister is gone, and I am the last born in my family. Please, please, forgive me.
To my friends, I am warning you and everyone not to make the same mistakes I did. Please be careful of bad friends and the dangers of social media. Take this warning seriously.
To my brothers and sisters, please be cautious about trying to make quick and easy money. Fast money is not good. It is far better to pursue an honest job and to surround yourself with good friends and positive influences.
Prison is not a good place. I am begging you, please don’t end up like me, suffering in prison.
Note: This letter is a combination of three letters and it has been translated from the original language (Bemba) to the best of our abilities. It has been edited to improve the readability and clarity of the story.
