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The Migration story

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By Hannah Motojima

I was covered with smoke coughing and everyone was walking towards the boat. I was so scared I didn’t know what was happening?!

My name is Rai. I am 13 years old and I am gonna tell you my migration story. I lived in Hiroshima, Japan and I was having a good life until the war began. My father was a pirate and my mom was a home-stayed mom. We had to pack our stuff in 5 minutes and what we had was a couple of water bottles, food, and clothes. When I went outside to get to the boat there were a lot of people on the ground dead. I was scared as we walked past. I was covered with smoke coughing and everyone was walking towards the boat. It was so sudden. I didn’t know what was happening?! 

We were able to go to the boat safely with no injuries. We decided to go to Taiwan because it was the safest and closest place we could go. After a few hours of rowing the boat, it was getting late so we decided to rest. The next day I realized my dad was already awake. He was preparing breakfast for us. We had to share one rice ball together because we only had a little bit of food. Everything was going well so far but then suddenly a storm came and the waves were starting to get big and the boat was starting to break down. I fell off the boat. I couldn’t see mom and dad so I shouted as hard as I could “ MOOOOOM DAAAAAAD '' I found a piece of the boat so I used that to help me float. About an hour later the storm was gone so I tried to find mom and dad but no one was there. I found a small island. I was able to get to the island with my swimming skills. I’d been practicing for years for this kind of time. “ Now is not the time to think about that,” I said to myself. I tried making an SOS sign with all the rocks that were laying down on the beach but no sign of anybody. The only thing I wanted right now was my parents. I thought about what would happen if nobody came but that day my wish didn't come true.

The next day in the early morning I woke up and I WAS IN A SHIP!!! It was a huge ship. I looked outside of the window and I saw Taiwan! At least I think it was Taiwan. I was screaming happily except for the fact that I didn’t find my parents. Then one man came up to me saying “finally you woke up”. Come I will feed you something”. I didn't really know what was happening but I was happy getting food. While I was eating he told me I would be sent to a shelter in China. I was not happy I didn’t want to be adopted but anyway I wanted dad and mom! but that never came true. The next day we were already in China. I was sleeping in an uncomfortable place it didn't look like I was on a ship. Then the girl next to me told me that I was in a shelter. The food there was not bad but I didn’t understand what they were saying. A year passed and still nobody was adopting me but one day a pretty woman who was working in the shelter said to me “ you're gonna be happy from now on “. I didn’t quite know what she was talking about but the next day I did. I was sent to a meeting room where people usually talk about if someone’s gonna adopt someone. I saw a woman who looked like a British person. I think I knew what was gonna happen. After a few moment’s she said “I am gonna adopted her“. I just couldn’t believe it. I didn't know what to say. I didn’t like the idea but I really wanted to have parents again.I froze for a moment. I didn’t really have a choice so I said “…… yes………” but the life after that day was so much better then when I was in the shelter I was very happy.