I am an attorney and the Founder/Executive Director of Pathfinders Justice Initiative, Inc. (www.pathfindersji.org), an international NGO which seeks justice and provides rehabilitation for survivors of child sex abuse, rape and sex trafficking in the developing world (primarily in West Africa). I am also an activist and an organizer for #BringBackOurGirls, the global movement demanding the rescue and rehabilitation of the Chibok Girls of Nigeria. I am Nigerian. I am a mother.

Over the last week (April 4-9, 2016), I had the honor of walking with the families of three of the abducted Chibok Girls in an effort to document their lives over the last two years without their daughters. I am honored that they have trusted me with their truth. The result is this photo essay entitled, “Letters to Our Daughters: #HopeEndures.” It is comprised of photographs reflecting the hollow reality of life for mothers Esther Yakubu, Rebecca Samuel and Martha Enoch without their daughters, Dorcas, Sarah and Monica. The photographs are accompanied by excerpts from letters to their daughters that they have written, in their own words, to describe the gaping holes in their hearts and why, regardless, #HopeEndures. The letters reflect unparalleled courage; unparalleled faith.

I have stood with this cause over the last two years because it is one that matters. It matters because it is a reflection of what the world truly believes about the value of women and girls, particularly those of African descent. It matters because no girl should ever have to choose between her education and her life. It matters because 219 lives are far too many chapters in history that will remain unwritten if these girls are not rescued. I continue to fight for the Chibok Girls because I am a mother and having walked with several of these families over the last two years, giving up on their children, our children, is no longer an option. May our prayers be answered. #BringBackOurGirls #2YearsOnHopeEndures

Letter from Martha Enoch to her daughter, Monica Enoch

April 14, 2016

Dear Monica,

Life has been difficult without you these last two years. My life is in discomfort and I have been living with hypertension since they stole you from me on April 14, 2014. We miss you whenever we remember the role that you played in our family, especially your sisters. You were so kind and so special because you touched the lives of everyone that met you. Our prayers have never ended for you and we still sing your favorite choruses that you would sing in church. We sing them every morning and every evening in Hausa and we remember your voice. I always end up in tears. I wanted you to be a doctor and in fact, we have nicknamed [our other daughter] ‘doctor’ because of you. Your father had a dream where he saw you walking up a ladder to heaven. My hope is that I will see you here on earth again but if I do not, I know you are in heaven. Please serve God faithfully and I pray that God bring you back to me. I miss you, my daughter.

From your mum, Martha Enoch.

Letter from Rebecca Samuel to her Daughter, Sarah Samuel.

April 14, 2016

Dear Sarah,

You were only eighteen at the time of your abduction. By now you would be twenty years; that means its been two years since you have been taken from me. I am suffering, I am bitter, I cry every time and I am praying and fasting. Many things are hard and we are just managing life. I know and believe in God that if there is still life, one day we will see you again. People say that the [abduction] is a lie, but it is true. I want to tell them that if it were their children, how would they feel? The 219 children have not returned since then. If not because of God’s grace, we all would have died. Some of us [parents] got hypertension, while others got different illnesses because we are thinking about our abducted children. If you were dead, we would have cried and been able to move on. But we do not know if you are still alive or dead. That is why we are worried. I cry and my heart is bitter every night. I am praying that if you are alive, God should rescue you. I believe God will save you. As your mother, I am begging God for you to continue praying wherever you are. I want to tell you to be strong and continue praying. I lost everything, I lost everything when I lost you.

From your mother, Rebecca.

Letter from Esther Yakubu to her Daughter, Dorcas Yakubu.

April 14, 2016

Dear Dorcas (Maida),

It has been long I heard from you. How are you and your friends, wherever you are? Hoping that you are doing better, or managing life, and I know that the angel of the Lord Almighty is with you, and He will continue to be with you wherever you are. You don’t know – you don’t have any idea of the plans I have been planning for you all this while. Since from birth, I’ve been planning for you, your life, your education, your health, before you were kidnapped. Before marriage, I wanted you to go to the university, because I have not been there. My hope is that you will be a fashion designer, as a woman. I have even bought a sewing machine for you, and a traveling bag, and some set of clothes. But up till now, for two years, I have not seen or heard anything from you. But I would like to advise you, wherever you are, please be strong in the Lord and He will see you through. I know I miss you, but I have the heart and I have the hope that one day I will see you again. I believe that one day I will fulfill my promise to you, and I will see you again, and my happiness, my joy, my life, will be complete with you and I will be a happy mother again. The Lord is your strength, and I have that hope in me that I will see you again and I will rejoice in the Lord Almighty.

From your mum, Esther Yakubu