SANDRAH
You gotta love your community because they loved you.
SANDRAH
I was born with 3 holes in my heart. 6 others were born the same day in Nairobi, Kenya. I was the only one that survived. The heart surgery couldn't be done there. At 3 years old, my mom got a visa. My life was based on sheer hope that anyone would show up that day. My mom immediately began advocating for my survival by going to the capital daily to meet with the Governor about the surgery. The message was clear; money or humanity. I'm thankful that humanity was the choice. Even after the surgery, I had many complications but grew stronger and get to stand here today with a testimony. Growing up in DSM wasn't easy. I lived in a diverse neighborhood, but went to WDM schools; there were few who looked like me. I was living in two different narratives. I quickly learned that I had to diversify everything on my own. I didn't want my siblings to struggle like I did. I joined organizations not offered in school which made me drive out of my very own comfort zone. My father, Mike Matanda Wasike, joined us here in 2009. He was attacked in a carjacking attempt and was beaten with a gun when I was just 12 years old. It caused severe brain damage and he tried to recover for 5 years and died in 2018. I learned through the struggle and pain of my his rehabilitation. My mom and I had to be his voice. We had to fight for more answers. Through my anger I learned that I had to speak up when others can’t; you never know when that person might be you. DSM to me is home. A lot of damage has come from living here, but I can't abandon the place I love because I was afraid to deal with something in the moment. Iowa gave me life and I am surviving. But, it takes a whole village. I want to know that the village that raised me is going to be ok. To me, there's a bigger world out there; and you can't understand other people's struggles by staying in one place. The village fed me such different aspects to make me who I am. I wouldn't be where I am without each of them. You gotta love your community because they loved you. I want to make sure my city is ok. That the people out here fighting everyday to make a change are going to be ok.⠀⠀
