By Nightengale Ben-Onyeukwu
By Nightengale Ben-Onyeukwu
My dear little girls, my pink princesses wherever you are
in the world, I want to start with something simple. I love you. I love you so
much that if I had a magic wand, I would bring every little girl together under
one big tree on a beautiful moonlit night. We would catch fireflies, share
sweet stories, give warm hugs and laugh until we were too tired to talk. Since
I do not have a magic wand, I am sending this letter to you instead.
My name is Nightengale Ben-Onyeukwu and I was once a
little girl too. I know what it feels like to have a head full of small dreams
and to find joy in the smallest things. When I was little I loved long flowing
gowns and funny enough I still love them today. I think some things we love as
children never really leave us and that is beautiful.
I know the joy a mother feels when she dresses her little
girl, styles her hair and calls her princess while watching her smile. Every
little girl is precious and every child deserves to feel loved. Whether your
mother is beside you or someone else is caring for you, I hope you know that
you deserve love, tenderness and attention.
I love watching little girls play because you can make a
toy from almost anything. You wrap old clothes into a little baby, carry her
everywhere, pretend to feed her, rock her to sleep and cry when someone takes
her away. Sometimes all you want is to laugh with your friends. One small joke
can keep you whispering, covering your mouths and laughing again even when the
adults around you do not understand why. I hope you have many happy moments
like this to remember when you grow older.
Some of you dream of being a princess with pretty
dresses, a pink room and colourful beads in your braids. Some prefer other
colours and some have completely different dreams. Whatever makes you happy, I
hope you have the freedom to enjoy it. Please enjoy these small things for as
long as you can and do not hurry into adulthood. There is time for you to grow
and I hope you enjoy being a child without pressure to become grown too soon.
I wish I could be there when you return from school with
so many stories to tell about your friends, your lessons and the funny things
that happened. I would listen even if you repeated a story you told before. And
if you came home with tears in your eyes, I would want you to feel free to talk
without being laughed at or told your worries are too small to matter.
Sometimes what a little girl needs most is not an expensive gift but someone
who has time, a kind word, a listening ear or a comforting hug.
Sadly life is not easy for every child. Some little girls
have to take responsibilities before they are ready, some cry when nobody is
looking and some are denied school or play simply because they are girls. When
I think about them I wish I could gather them close and remind them that they
deserve kindness, protection and opportunity to grow. My dear girls, never
think you are less important because you do not have what another girl has. You
do not need the finest dress or the biggest doll to be special and you do not
have to look like your friends or be best in class. Each of you is growing in
your own way and that is all right.
Please go to school and learn all you can. Ask questions
when you do not understand, read books, discover new things and keep your
dreams alive. Whether you want to become doctors, teachers, writers or
something else entirely, do not be afraid to dream about it. You may change
your mind as you grow and that is all right too. What matters is that you have
chance to learn, explore your interests and work toward a future you can be
proud of. And when something worries you or someone makes you feel unsafe,
please tell a trusted adult who can help you. You should never have to keep
quiet about being hurt and asking for help is nothing to be ashamed of.
One day you will grow up. Your little dolls may be packed
away, your colourful hairpins replaced by other things and the games you enjoy
today may become memories. You will have new dreams and new things to learn but
I hope you will always remember the little girls you once were, the ones who
could laugh over smallest things and turn old clothes into beloved babies. And
when you become women, I hope you will be kind to little girls you meet. Listen
to them, encourage them and help them believe in themselves. If you have chance
to help a girl stay in school, feel safe or pursue her dreams, I hope you will
take it.
My dear girls, today is International Day of the Girl
Child, a day to celebrate you and girls everywhere. This letter is for every
girl who loves pink and every girl who prefers other colours, for girl who
plays mother, girl who dreams of princess, girl who giggles with friends and
girl who is still finding her way. It is also for girls who are struggling and
waiting for someone to show them kindness. Every girl deserves love, safety,
education and chance to dream about her future.
If I had that magic wand I would gather you all under
that tree tonight, hold you close and tell you how much I wish for your
happiness. I would remind you that you deserve childhood filled with love,
people who protect you and freedom to dream without fear. Since I cannot do
that, I hope these words reach you wherever you are and bring little warmth to
your heart. As I end this letter I have just one wish for all little girls in
the world. May the world become kinder place for you to grow, learn, laugh and
dream. Wherever you are always remember you are loved. May you always have time
to play, courage to speak when something is wrong and chance to grow up to
become whatever you dream of being.
With all my love,
Nightengale Ben-Onyeukwu
#InternationalDayOfTheGirlChild #DayOfTheGirl #IDG2026 #GirlChild #GirlsCan #EveryGirlMatters #LetGirlsLearn #ProtectTheGirlChild #NightengaleAwards
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