On April 14, 2014, 276 girls were kidnapped by Boko Haram from their school in Chibok, Nigeria. 219 girls remain missing, and have come to be known as the “Chibok Girls.” One mother, Esther Yokubu, carries on raising her family but the daughter who was taken is never far from her mind. On the anniversary of the kidnapping, she writes a letter to the daughter she has not seen in two years.
Chibok Girls
Letter from Esther Yakubu to her Daughter, Dorcas Yakubu
Dear Dorcas (Maida),
It has been long I heard from you. How are you and your friends, wherever you are? Hoping that you are doing better, or managing life, and I know that the angel of the Lord Almighty is with you, and He will continue to be with you wherever you are.
You don’t know – you don’t have any idea of the plans I have been planning for you all this while. Since from birth, I’ve been planning for you, your life, your education, your health, before you were kidnapped. Before marriage, I wanted you to go to the university, because I have not been there. My hope is that you will be a fashion designer, as a woman. I have even bought a sewing machine for you, and a traveling bag, and some set of clothes. But up till now, for two years, I have not seen or heard anything from you. But I would like to advise you, wherever you are, please be strong in the Lord and He will see you through.
I know I miss you, but I have the heart and I have the hope that one day I will see you again. I believe that one day I will fulfill my promise to you, and I will see you again, and my happiness, my joy, my life, will be complete with you and I will be a happy mother again. The Lord is your strength, and I have that hope in me that I will see you again and I will rejoice in the Lord Almighty.
From your mum,
Esther Yakubu