#FreeLeah! Where were you on your 15th birthday?

Yesterday (14 May) marked the 15th birthday of Leah Sharibu, a Nigerian school girl who has been held captive for almost three months by Boko Haram kidnappers. I join her family and people around the world in fasting and praying for Leah's speedy and safe release.

Leah's Mum holding their photo

On 19 February, Leah was one of 110 girls abducted by armed terrorists who attacked their school (Government Girls Technical College in Dapchi, Yobe State). Almost two months ago, 104 were released from captivity, but not Leigh who was the only Christian among those taken. Leah has refused to renounce her Christian faith. Five of these innocent children died in captivity.

Whilst May is a month when thousands of students around the globe are graduating into new chapters of their young lives, let us remember not only Leah Sharibu, but also other innocents held captive around the world through abductions like this, human trafficking, and other cruel deprivations of freedom. In Nigeria alone, more than 1,000 children have been kidnapped including the 300 Chibok school girls about four years ago. 100 of these girls are still being held hostage.

Let us also remember heroic people from all walks of life who have chosen over the centuries to risk their freedoms and even their lives to stand up peacefully for justice, equality, the freedom to worship without fear, and other sacred human rights.

Today, please share this post and if you can, retweet #FreeLeah and even attach a picture of yourself holding A4 or A3 signs with the words #FreeLeah.

Whatever your own nationality or faith -- please consider taking a moment to speak up (in your own way) and show you care for the human rights of young Leah Sharibu and so many known and unknown heroes like her throughout the world, now and through the ages, who have inspired us with their faith and their courage.

Strive Masiyawa
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