I am Ndalo, a 20 years old girl from Cape Town. I am a student in CPUT, the first grandchild, and my cousins come after me. I come from a family of 14 people, and it’s been a struggle; there is a saying that “many people can not live under the same roof”, and it’s true because I’ve witnessed that.

We always cross our fingers every weekend. My mother and siblings always fight every time they drink and we get affected every time. At least I have tried to get used this after many attempts of suicide but I’ve been stronger and my only worry are my siblings because they cry and this hurt me deep inside. I’ve been battling with a deep depression that made me start drawing and writing stories and poems. After that I saw I still couldn’t cope and I started to smoke cannabis which helped me in a tremendous way and changed my life. I’ve been more positive ever since.

I’ve heard that my grandmother was in an abusive marriage hence they become like vultures at times. It was one of the worst marriages to stay in but because there were children and loved the man my grandmother stayed in it. So two years back I met a man and he gave me joy and I moved in with him. It’s been quite a journey and we still counting. I am glad I made the choices I made in my life because I’ve been happy ever since.