The Editor, Sir:
I am writing on the behalf of a 14-year-old friend who has literally been locked away from the world. This is what I call a cry for freedom, as she has been denied the opportunity to live her own life.
She has been suffering this kind of treatment since she reached double figures in primary school. Her mother, who thinks what she is doing is protecting her daughter, has taken away all her rights as a child.
She is not allowed to talk to boys, watch PG-13 movies if they have someone hugging or kissing, attend any entertaining or educating programme inside or outside the community (not even at school); leave the home by herself; use the Internet, telephone or cellphone; and she has no say as to what she does or doesn't do at home.
I've had private discussions with her several times, she trusts me as a friend. She tells me any and everything and it hurts just listening to her explaining how she feels, even tears fall from her eyes.
She once told me she was considering taking revenge on her mother by secretly having sex, drinking alcohol and smoking and hoping that when her mother found out it would hurt the way it hurts her.
Hopefully, I was able to talk her out of it because this will definitely hurt her even more than it will hurt her mom. And for those out there who are suffering the same thing - be strong.
I am, etc.,
S.C.
Westmoreland
