Diana Konomanyi Expresses Gratitude to Kono People... Over Moral Support During her Most Unfortunate Moment

EXPRESSION OF GRATITUDE TO MY KONO FAMILY FOR THEIR MORAL SUPPORT DURING A MOST UNFORTUNATE MOMENT

On the evening of the 31st of May, the world saw my house in Kono engulfed by a malicious fire.

As I try to understand what it is that I’d done for such evil to be done to me, I realise that unprovoked hate can break the strongest of us, even if only for a moment.

As I watched videos of my house on fire, my strength failed me, for I did not understand why anyone would direct such hate to another.

However, as the news spread, I started receiving calls and messages of support both locally and internationally.

I am immensely grateful to each and every one of you. God Almighty will bless you all abundantly.

It is the support of my Kono people that has most provided me with the buoyancy to float from the depths of my hurt.

Let me hastily explain why. You see, Kono has always been the safest place for me since I was a little girl. Therefore, to be attacked in such a vicious manner in my safest space was the core of my hurt and anger. So, receiving a rapid response support from our traditional leaders, our political leaders, our women, our youth and every other constituent demographic in our Kono, automatically restored my much valued sense of security in my safest place in the world; and for that, I am eternally grateful to my kinsmen.

As I basked in this renewed security, freely given to me by my people, I am reminded of the words of Gwendolyn Brooks: “ we are each other’s harvest; we are each other’s business; we are each other’s magnitude and bond”.

Now, more than ever, we must strengthen that which binds us; we must lift each other up and not pull each other down; we must share our harvest, so as to strengthen one and other. It is only then that we’ll maximize our strength and force respect on those who seek to see our dignity become undone.