MY BIGGEST HOLIDAY PREPARATION CHALLENGE __#LOH 314

My biggest holiday preparation challenge is going to the village every Christmas.

I am still a young girl. I am in school, I have my small life in town with my friends. But once December comes, my parents say "we are going to hometown."

The problem is, nobody wants to do anything in the house. Before we travel, my mum will say I should wash all curtains, sweep everywhere, wash plates, pack bags for everybody. My brothers will just sit and press phone. I am the girl, so all the work is mine.

When we reach the village, it is worse....I have to fetch water from far, cook with firewood that smokes my eyes, wash heavy clothes with my hands. Village aunties will be shouting "this town girl is lazy!" But I am not lazy, I am just not used to it.

And the worst part, nobody wants my help when I try to rest. They want me to be everywhere. If food burns, they blame me....If visitors come, they call me to kneel and greet.

Last year I cried on Christmas Day because I was tired. I just wanted to stay in my room in town and watch movies.

This year I told my mum, if we must go to village, share the work. I am still young, but I am human too. Holiday should not be punishment for girls.

Holiday is sweet, but village holiday stress is too much for a young girl like me.

image source chatgpt