Clemantine Wamariya

Sharing presumes and creates equality.

My day-to-day varies. I do some public speaking. I talk to school groups.

I am not a refugee. I sought refuge for many years, but the word 'refugee' does not define me. It just limits me and puts me in a box.

Being able to connect with other humans is something I've done since I was little.

Being kind to myself helped me deal with people who thought less of me and thought they were better than me.

My Chicago is beautiful and diverse. It was able to give me all parts of the world all in one.

I hate light... I feel like at night, it's safer. If anything happens, there's a way to hide at night. Another thing I hate about light is it reminds me about being in a refugee camp and being outside.

I was the most tired 11-year-old in the world.

I'm still coping with my trauma, but coping by trying to find different ways to heal it rather than hide it.

I am thankful to those who've listened to my story over and over as well as those who've helped me share it. For me, the act of storytelling is an act of healing.

I want to listen to people's stories and find strength in them. There is so much human-caused pain and suffering in the world. I want to honor all those difficult experiences and acknowledge their aftermath. At the same time, I want to really see and love the world around me.

Everything I own in my closet has a story. Stuff is not just stuff - things were given to me with love.