Selemawi

Suddenly, everything came rushing back to me, and I remembered the past, when I was very little, when Eritrea was still the hope of Africa. My mother used to call me rhus kolah, which means "bringer of luck" in our language Tigrinya, because I was born at a time when everything was getting better, when life in Eritrea was becoming easier again after being overshadowed by the horrors of war. But we had no idea that everything would only get worse. Natnael could not have imagined anything better at 14 than living with his family in a country shaped by vibrant culture and breathtaking landscapes. But the military regime would not allow it. No school attendance. Oppression, torture, and brainwashing awaited him during his mandatory military service. That’s why he makes the only possible decision to escape. He has 7,071.70 km to cover to reach freedom. How does he manage to overcome this distance? And why does it feel like new obstacles are placed in his way with every kilometer? What if the body gives up, but the mind wants to keep pushing forward? Is fleeing a choice or destiny?

Rebecca Anna Mila S. was born on October 25, 2000, in Munich and is currently studying music production. She has been passionate about writing from an early age and has been writing novels and short stories for years, while also working on her first blog. She is a staunch opponent of racism, neocolonialism, and the biased or one-sided portrayal of the African continent in Western media and textbooks. Selemawi is her first publication.