July 18, 1504


Dear diary, this is my first time writing in a journal. I think I should nave you to whom ever it may concern or TWEIMC. I am twelve years old living in West Africa in Nigeria. I gave three brothers and one sister and I am the oldest of all. I have heard many things about captives and how they will kidnap us for slavery. I didn’t believe anything they said, I just though that they were just saying that just to scare us off or something. Right now I am sitting on the chair just relaxing outside with my siblings

July 20, 1504

Dear TWEIMC, I can’t believe my eyes I have been kidnapped and taken away from my home and family. I would not believe that all these things that they told us kids were actually true. I couldn’t write yesterday because I didn’t want o be caught writing and let them take my journal. I have to go; I think I see one of them.

July 21, 1504


Dear TWEIMC, we were taken to a ship and I had to be mush with all these other Africans. Before I went to the bottom of the ship I looked around and I see these people with white faces that I have never seen before. At the bottom of the ship, I thought that is was so ridiculous because it was so crowded that I could barely breathe and there is the stench smell that really irritates me. TWEIMC, I would let you know that if I don’t write to you it means that I didn’t want to be caught writing.

July 25, 1504


Dear TWEIMC, these white colored men are so cruel. I see some who were thrown over board because they were not healthy enough. I see some who were whipped for not eating of something. It doesn’t make any sense to me at all. I felt so sick there and because I was sick I didn’t eat. They would force to eat and still wouldn’t eat so they beat me and I cried for the rest of the day.

July 27, 1504


Dear TWEIMC, I was sold to a family named the Goodwills. They ere nice and took care of me very well. I still have to do what they say, but it wasn’t that bad. Mr. and Mrs. Goodwill have two kids, named Alex and sharla. Alex is almost seven and sharla is my age but little taller. I would always say to myself “Alas, alas, I am free from heel”. The kids treated me right and the family took care of me like I was a part of their family.

August 1, 1505


Dear TWEIMC today is my birthday. I just turned thirteen. Today would be the fifth day since I moved to the Goodwills family. Even though today is my birthday I still don’t feel that happy because ever since I been in that ship I have not eaten much and I have been getting really sick because of the stench smell. Still now I don’t eat that much and now I have gotten very thin and really ill.

August 1, 1505


Dear TWEIMC, the Goodwills gave me a surprise birthday party. I wish I was not feeling so bad so I can enjoy what they have done for me more. While the family is enjoying themselves I was thinking to myself that I might even die right now and just let go because I am not strong anymore. I, I.......