The Orphan's Voices

Tengetile's Story

Read as well:

• Bongani's Story
• Tengetile's Story
• Sihle's Story

My mother left. My father left. I don't see them anymore. My granny says I am four. I am a girl.

It's cold here. I live with my granny. Our house is on a hill.

Nomthandazo made my skirt. She is a neighbour. I like it. It is a Swazi skirt. It belongs to Nomthandazo, but when she went away I took it. She went to her aunt's place. I don't know when she will be back. (Editor's note: Five-year-old Nomthandazo died of AIDS). I don't have other clothes.

I have not been on a bus or a car. I have an exercise book that my father bought for me. I write in it. I write vowels.

My granny gives me porridge and soup to eat every day. There are beans sometimes. I don't go to the children's place. My granny said I mustn't go. I don't know why. Sipho goes.

I know how to fetch water. It is hard to get to the water. I wash the dishes.

I play with other children. There's Mnguni and Njabulo. Those are the only two. We play likhaya (make-believe home). There are cows there. And goats. There is food there. People don't go hungry because there is food. There are trees with oranges. And mangoes, and bananas. Lots of fruits. And apples.

An apple is nice. I had an apple once. It was sweet, and water came out.