Letter To My 14 Year Old Self
34 years ago I was born in Guinea Conakry, in West Africa. I always had hard times with birthdays, sometimes celebrating them and sometimes ignoring them.?
Today I woke up as usual, got ready for my morning meeting with another phenomenal female founder in women's health.
During the conversation and elements being shared?she asked me how old I was? I told her 34 and that today was my birthday. I realised when sharing that information that it has been 20 years since I left Guinea, my parents, my home to have access to a better education. 20 YEARS! I could not believe it. What happened? Where did time go??
When she left I stayed in this beautiful Parisian café, looking around, reflecting on my path, on my journey, and started writing a letter to my 14-year-old self.?
I would like to share that letter with you.?
Dear 14-year-old me,?
Happy Birthday! I can’t believe it has been 20 years since you left Guinea, home, your safe place?and your family.
I remember that beautiful red terrace where you played, the mango trees, the flavors, the noise, so much you left behind.?
Twenty years is a long time, but the story of what happened in those two decades is still unfolding. It's hard to believe how much has changed both inside and out of me since then.?
When I look back at my life now, I am filled with immense gratitude for having gone through the struggles that brought me here today but also all the joy. You were brave enough to take a chance on yourself when everything around you could really just tell you to give up.
Your courage gave you strength and there you?were still standing, still breathing.
I remember that at 20, I was full of ambition but lacked direction. I had dreams for myself but wasn't sure how to make them happen. It took some trial and error and a huge village from Guinea, France, the US.
Here I am now starting my own business dedicated to empowering women from around the world to become advocates for their health. It has been an incredible journey ever since! It is also a hard one and we are far from it.
You didn't know where this journey would lead, but now looking back from age 34, I understand why all these moments mattered so deeply: because without them there wouldn't be the person who stands before me today – strong and ready for whatever comes next. This understanding helps guide my decisions in ways that are unique, impact driven and bold;?
Worldwide, 1 in 4 pregnancies will end in a miscarriage, 15% of couples will struggle with conceiving, 10 to 15% of women have endometriosis, and i can keep going. That said someone I deeply admire once said it seems impossible until its done and we are millions dedicating ourselves for better care.?
The more I move forward the more I am committed to and unafraid to challenge conventions and create change from within - no matter how difficult or uncomfortable it may seem at first glance!
So don't ever forget what brought us here today: authenticity, community, dedication, resilience, grit, and an unwavering belief in ourselves & our abilities despite obstacles thrown our way by society or anyone else. We have received so many rejections I since starting Ninti and we also had some really bold people who came our way to say YES. Remember where that litle girl comes from, all she has been through and what she is accomplishing.
Remember all the women trusting Ninti by sharing their stories.
Together let's continue pushing boundaries until womanhood becomes synonymous with limitless potential !?
With love always ,?
领英推荐
Your 34 year old self
The woman I admire the most, my mom.?
She taught that being a mother is also letting go of her kids. I remember the day I left Guinea, she sat me on the ground in her room, her eyes were red, she had probably cried all night and being overwhelmed with the feeling of guilt.?
She looked at me and said:
"Remember to always treat people with love, kindness and respect and to never let people treat you with harm. You are strong and if we made that decision to let you go it is because we have an immense confidence in your ability to navigate the world."
Some updates!
- We are building our community and having really powerful conversations.?
To not miss our events follow us on social media or?here.
We thank our partner for our 18 February event on Menopause:?Connection Leadership.?
- We are welcoming new practitioners?in our digital village for women's health check out our page?here?and share it with someone who needs it.
- What we are reading:?
Please don't call my cervix incompetent?(The Atlantic)
Why can't women with Endometriosis get diagnosed (neo.life)
Women have been misled about Menopause (The New York Times)
- I was in the Women empowerment School Podcast this week. (Podcast)
- Africaines en France et césarienne (Revue)
Work with us!
Fatoumata??
Co-founder of?Ninti