Thuraya Ghazwani
My father decide to leave Morocco to earn a better income and a better life.
They left me with four younger brothers and sisters.
At the age of 13, I took the role of a mother, until my father asked us to follow him.
For me this was a relief from the responsibility and the torture I had with my father's relatives in Morocco.
Although feeling scared about the new world, I was happy.
Perishing dreams
I faced trouble in school, I was picked on because of my poor English and it constantly hurt my feelings. My dreams began to perish.
Then, I took a course in hairstyling and started to mix with British society and that's when my father became more strict.
I began going out clubbing and having boyfriends, my English improved fast and I felt I was free.
Then my parents took me to Morocco, saying it was a summer holiday.
They forced me to marry a Moroccan man who was 15 years older than me. I didn't want him. I tried to run away many times but they stopped me.
We returned to the city we lived in the UK. I used to sleep with my younger sisters to avoid sleeping with him, it drove him mad.
Once he tried to rape me while my parents were out but I defended myself and ran away to London.
Finally, the divorce was decided and I met an Asian-British man whom I married and had a son with.
At the first stage of the marriage he was very kind, tender and loving, but he changed and started beating me. He drank and forced me to drink with him.
Gathering strength
But I started to gather my strength and decided from then on to have no place for another man in my life again.
I worked hard and I neglected my son and home. I drank alcohol everyday, thinking it would ease my pain and frustration.
Finally, I met a British-Persian Muslim man through some friends of mine.
At first he drove me crazy because he reminded me of my parents' strict rules, but then I realised my mistake. I knew I was a victim of my own circumstances.
I realised how important it was to keep my own traditions and religion and yet to merge with new societies.
God sent this man to help make my life better a better one.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/4052917.stm