Necklaces for the Headless

By Gabriella Emilie Afrika

Rosine’s parents remember the day she was born as the worst day of their lives. There were complications with the birth, so instead of coming out head-first like most babies, Rosine’s feet were the first to leave her mother. The doctor pulled while her mother pushed, and slowly, Rosine’s ankles appeared, then her little knees, then her belly, her shoulders, her neck, her neck…her neck? A sharp cry filled the room as Rosine made her first sound. The baby’s neck was abnormally long, but somehow, she did not have a head. So where was the sound coming from?
Rosine’s mother, whose name is Yvonne, thought that she was just imagining the cries and that her baby had died. The doctor reassured her, “No, no! This is a miracle! Your baby survived!” Gradually, Yvonne’s grief changed into depression. “A girl with no head?” she cried, “How will she ever find a husband?”

“What if the kid you bullied at school, grew up, and turned out to be the only surgeon who could save your life?”

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Dec 19, 2019
• ISBN: 9781984572684

Gabriella Emilie Afrika

GABRIELLA EMILIE AFRIKA, a national of Rwanda, was educated in the USA. Gabriella is currently the director of marketing at the University of Kigali; her interest in joining an institution of learning was motivated by her strong desire to contribute to the development of her country. At a very young age Gabriella has been a hobby writer; writing short stories and poems made her very happy. Gabriella is also passionate about humanity with a strong devotion to children. She always strives to take care of others. She has launched the first digital platform in Rwanda (bluedragonflycenter) to provide a continuum of health-care services to support those in needs. She is the third child in a family of four children. Her father is a seasoned development economist and a co-founder of the University of Kigali. Her mother is the university counselor. Gabriella‘s love for children, the recent tragic history of her country and the remarkable resilience of its people inspired her to write this book.

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Copyright © 2020 by Gabriella Emilie Afrika. 789637

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

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Library of Congress Control Number: 2018914898

Rev. date: 12/21/2019

dedication%20image.psd

Dear Papa, my best friend and accountability partner

If I would write a second story it would be the greatest ever told. I’d write about you dad! A father, a friend and a hero to us all. Through the good times and the bad times you have sustained us all, me especially- your little headless girl. Father of mine, you are an exemplary role model and a precious gift to me from our God up above. If a word could speak of you for me