Victoria Adjo Climbié,
Born on All Souls Day
That was November 2nd 1991,
When your short life earnestly began
In Abobo, Ivory Coast,
Where you would grow,
Safe in the knowledge
That you were surrounded
By grounded family and friends who
Truly cherished you,
For the beautiful, bright and bubbly,
Little girl that you were, for all who knew.
We learn that red was your favourite colour
And you smiled like a blossoming flower.
Your mother says you were just unique,
So full of kindness and intelligent speak,
An apple of your father’s eye,
Yes, you gave your family tremendous pride.
At school, always top of the grade,
What an impact you certainly made
On your elders and class peers,
So much so, that on your return home,
You appeared with a posse of friends
Whom you entertained,
For they loved you to no end.
Then one fateful day,
An aunt took you far away,
With promises of a Western education,
Capitalising on your parent’s humble disposition,
Little did Africa know,
You would never return a lively soul.
The unimaginable abuse you suffered
At the hands of those who claimed to care,
And the incomprehensible professional failures
Of those who were continuously made aware
Should never be forgotten.
Yet, your life shortened,
Has left us, evermore determined
That your legacy continues to exist,
And even though you are deeply missed
By your parents, siblings and wider kin
We pledge to ensure your memory forever lives. |
