Original subtitles

Waris!

Old Man!

Wars!

Wars!

Mom says, we have to move on.

Her name is Fattuma. You can't call a sheep like Allah's daughter.

Says who?

Waris, I don't want anything to separate us.

I'll never leave you alone! I Promise!

LONDON, YEARS LATER

Charming that is!

Shop lifting is useless

Excuse me! miss

Right...I'm getting security

If you're interested in saving 10% to-day you can take out a student card

Aragh!.........Jesus, fucking Nora!

I'm calling the police, it's not allowed yea!

I'm funny am I!

Well watch me dial 999, and see how funny that is!

Get out of here now

never come back, and forget were we saw each other

You out!

I hide here

I have nowhere else to go! I can't go back to Somalia!

Oh yea!

Oh yea, Somalia, yea I know

How many years, you in London

Do you understand me?

Oh! 6 years and you still don't speak English

To day is your lucky day

Is it?

Good riddence

See yea!........See yea!.....Oop!

How are you?

Mummbles

Security

Look your out of there now yea..............OK.

Try and get yourself a homeless shelter or summink

Homeless shelter yea!

You bloody little stalker

Stop looking at me with those big puppy dog eyes, right!

Look I'm not saying you will be able to stay the night allright

Can you tell the audience your name?

Marylin McKeen and yours........Waris

Marylin

One night, yea!

It's fine she's my sister

and who am I your flaming aunt?

See yea!

See yea!

Found her on the toilet at work

give over

She's just follwed me here

Forget it

This is a business I'm running not some charity centre for drop out's

Right well that's just made my day has'nt it

Royal Academy of Dance don't think I'm suitable for their tuition

so does Royal Ballet School

English National won't see me for an audition

and they won't even take my calls at the Rembrant

The Rebbie, the Rabbie

The R...what ever it's fucking called

supi fucking name any way

Therefore I suck, so

Sod 'em, there's plenty of other ballet schools

you're a fantastic dancer

plus you can

.....bend in places I don't even posses

yea well can I get rid of these

There lovely

...or this......it's nice

A ballerina's body is born not made

So what am I meant to do with her then?

Today 's weather sunny, showers

What are you the BBC?

Ah, I'm really sorry I just forget something

Your ....sister

can stay for one night only

Great....which room?..I'll show her up

Your room' your floor

and no peeing on the carpet, or other trampy behaviour

or you lose your deposit

Oh! cheers Pushpa, you really know how to cheer a girl up

Hey....hey, no familiarites

and you.............. Wolf girl

You clean the room before you go and leave it exactly as you found it, allright

Rember only death is completly free

Mama

Oh shit! the bloody alarm

never bloody goes off

bloody hell

What you doing with

I've never seen the floor before

Cheers

Not bad

You've done this before

Hold on

I'll write down an address for you

Some where you can go, yea

Wait!

Wait!

OK. try this place, first they always need staff , that's where I first worked.....yea

Work.....You ....Work

Alright ....... alright

Yep that's right

Sorry, but I can't walk you to the bus stop

Neil! My radiator is still leaking .

yea, so you're not going to introduce us then?

I'm m m Neil

so nice to meet you

Ah get off 'er

Why !

because I'm just a caretaker

I've got a degree you know

What have you got ?

Here yea, take this

You'll freeze otherwise

Watch it !

When you're doing the mopping

you've got to put down the yellow sign

otherwise people could slip, right. Its dangerous

Now give me this, if you can do the tables up there

Remember to smile

Oh!......S,sorry,....sorry

err!

I don't know if you err speak any English

but err

look I'm

I do a bit of photography and err

I'm always looking for new faces and err

take my card please and err

If you feel like it just give us a call

Thank you

Oh! you might want to hold on to that actually

[indistinct chattering ]

alright ............ alright

Alright darlin'?

come here often ?

nice jacket

Very good quality, made in China, 35 pounds.

Just look at this face, do I look stupid, no I'll give you twenty, what about these ?

For you special price

Naw

Twenty five

but

Twenty five! It's a bloody flip flop

Very, very good flip flop........Might be a

I would come again if you bought something.

What about my family? My vital operation?

You're not even married

Oh! I see you've brought your little friend back then

nothing here for you Wolf girl

Me money, money

No room at the Inn

Sorry

She can share with me. Just move in an extra bed.

Oh! where are you going to sleep, the window ledge.

One night

here

One night

Please, Mama, please

No one calls me Mama

Clothes on

Marylin.................Marylin

Open up

Marylin

Bed delivery

Yep

Do you want me to come in and fix it

Just leave it there

I cook excellent

They'll be here in a minute, you better get a shifty on.

I cannot I have homework.

Don't argue with me, put this on for a change.

No!

Week after week learning, working, sleeping

We'll have some fun tonight methinks

I have to fill form okay

Okay

Put

last

name

first

which name?

Waris is your first name

Dirie is your family name

[speaks Somali]

Englsh................please

thank you

Date of

birth

I don't know

Day....month

year

Friend,..... sister

Um!

do you think you could bloody bovver to knock

You what, you deaf?

So err, what's for dinner

Pasta with spinach and sardine

I don't

Go on

ergh

There you are that's for you

No worries, maybe one day I could cook for you.

So do you like bacon and eggs

I make a wonderful

yea thanks Neil your contributions are greatly appreciated Thank you

What,................ what, what is wrong what

It's another rejection, I'll never be a dancer,

I'll be a bloody shop girl all my bloody life

How you know it's a rejection

Because an acceptance come in a big thick envelope

[knocking on door ]

What!

erm you got some visitors

I can't, send them away

leave me alone

er what am I your bloody butler?

Get out

We dance tonight

Hi!..

I'm Harold

Harold is your first name?

yea

What is your last name?

Jackson

Harold Jackson

yea I like the way you say it

What's yours?

[says name in Somali]

Parents couldn't figure out what to name you hu!

First name Waris, last name Dirie

Dirie!

So I should call you?

Waris

Waris

Where are you from?

Are you cold, with that err balloon jacket on?

You want to dance?

What does Harold Jackson make?

What?

In Somalia all names have a meaning

So what does Waris mean?

Desert Flower

You're not African?

No

I'm from New York

Waris

Hmm

I'm only here for a few weeks

Alright

Let's dance

There you go

You're a good dancer

Gotcha!

Wait!

Okay, I'm sorry

I feel guilty

A respectable woman does not do that

A respectable woman

can have fun and still be respectable

No a respectable woman

does not do that

Doesn't do what?

Hey Waris

you can say it you know

Sex! .......... Okay

It's nothing to be ashamed of, what's so bad about it?

Only a cut woman is a good woman

Sorry, What a cut

okay, now you're going to have to teach some English

This is how she stays a virgin, yes?

until her wedding night

then her man opens her.

That's the way, isn't it?

Waris I don't know what you're talking about

You're not cut?

What'cha mean?

Did they cut something away from you?

Can you show me?

Maybe I can understand

They cut

They cut everything away and then sowed it up

When did this happen?

When I was

three years old

Same with my sisters

Notfarma was eight, because they could not find anybody to do it earlier

Women who cut

Waris can you feel anything?

What do you mean?

Is that why you take time in the bathroom?

That's what it is to be women

No!

I'm a women

It's not like that for me

Do you remember what you looked like before?

like this?

They did, they did not do it to you

You're mother?

They don't do it to anyone here

Hey

I knew you wouldn't call me

Ah! it's alright ... it's alright

in fact I think I might have been disappointed if you had

I tell you

you handle that broom exactly like my old mum used to

err, you're right ......you're right...... you're right

you shouldn't let strange men chat you up

You know your lucky, you really have no idea

how beautiful you are

Oh! have you em

have you still got that card I gave you? hm

Oh!

good

Why eat goat food?

I've got three months, yea!

really crucial audition coming up, it's my last chance

its the only bloody place that hasn't turned me down

Jesus! where did you get this from?

"Terry Donaldson"

The Terry Donaldson!

What do you mean?

He's only famous

the fashion photographer

he did Diana

Aunt Maryon said pictures are vice

What she know

Who'd want to take her plcture anyway

He's right you're gorgeous

You can earn a bloody fortune

Oo

talking of gorgeous

that hot Harold from the other night

When you did your Cinderella trick

wanted you to have that

in-caae you're ever passing through New York

His address

"Harod Jackson"

"Harod Jackson"

Call him

He sees I'm different .................and then?

Who done it?

Fuck!

My watch

Shit what's the time? I must get back to work

Ten minutes

Waris

Waris

Waris

I don't have any money

What you talking about money for, you don't need any money

I'll get you help

Go to work,...Go to work

What you talking about work, I'm not going to work

I'm getting you help, Stay there

Is there nurses in this place?

Anyone!

Can I help you?

yea it's my friend she's really ill

Can you tell me where it hurts?

It hurts

Here I think

We're get some help, what's your name?

Waris

Okay we're going to get you some help, don't worry

Alright

Can you help her yea?

yea, let me just fetch someone okay

Stay with her

Thank you

See

Please try and relax

Now if you can just lift your feet into these

Come on luvee

or doctor can't help you

Here we go

there we go

I can't give you back what's been taken away

but at least I can make sure it doesn't hurt, okay

Can you get nurse Fatlma doesn't she speak Somali?

Put....legs.....down now

Fatima's off today but Omar said he'll do it

Can you tell this young lady she was stitched up far to tightly a

a real botch up I have to say

can you say I want to operate as soon as possible

Aren't you ashamed? Showing this white man your body ?

Our tradition is of no concern to them.

Tell her she's doing the right thing

It's amazing she's put up with this for so long

she must be in absolute constant torment, but

She musn't worry we can fix it

Sure

If you change what you are, then you are betraying your parents,

your people and your heritage.

Does your mother know what you are about to do? Shame on you!

She'll think about it

Mommy, I am bleeding down there.

Good, it means

you are a woman now!

It's terribly painful.

All pain will pass.

okay

Waris, this is Galool Mohammed.

Come closer my dear, come closer.

Do you like my watch?

Waris, You will marry him

to be his fourth wife.

I arranged the wedding for tomorrow.

Mom, I will not marry him!

Galool Mohammed paid a lot for you. You can't say no.

Where are you going? - To grandmother.

Mogadishu! It's far away! I come with you!

No! They need you here, little brother!

Don't worry! In the city I earn lots of money

and then I come back to get you!

Mommy.

Mogadishu?

Yes. Hurry up.

Shut up!

Mommy!

I said shut up!

Where is the mosque?

Over there.

Mother, see what comes of living with goats and sheep!

We can't afford to keep her. She has to go back home!

A girl who dares the long journey through the desert has a good reason.

She blamed our family! - Enough! Go back to work!

A miracle you survived!

It was Allah's will.

You have the same lips as your mother. I always called her Afyareh.

Grandma, why have we never seen you?

Because your mother ran away through the desert to marry your father.

A man we did not approve because he was nothing but a nomad.

I wonder if it made her happy. All that pain must be worth something.

Waris

hey

naa

Quite comfy these beds, arn't they

Aargh I have had such a day

God

been on me feet all day

Hello

do come in

You don't look famous

Fame

yea....... right

It's alright for getting you through passport control without any hassle , I suppose

but grave yards are full of people

You forgot

Oh!

You've kept it all this time

Thank you

So how much you pay to take my picture

[he laughs]

well

I'm usually the one who gets paid for the picture

[sniffs]

So you really are interested in being a model

I am in ........ interested in better life

Try and look up

thanks

yea

okay

Ready

how we doing?

Good .... I've finished

Ah! good

okay

here we go

Just sit on the stool

Change it back, will yea

that's it just sit yourself down

Thank you

if you just swivel, ah that's

just turn yourself round this way

this way

right

just face that white thing there

that's it okay

Just do some err

tests yea

yup!

Okay

I don't know your name?

Waris

Waris

Oki doke Waris here we go

Okay and

chin up a little bit

It's not working is it

I'm sorry I waste your time

No no don't worry, please sit down

please sit down

face that way

it's fine

Okay

So Waris!

do you think about home a lot?

your mum and dad?

hmm

brothers and sisters?

no

A typical Donaldson, he's only interested in your profile

mind you he does say you have the most beautiful profile he's ever seen

look at the wall

hmmmm

Oki dokie So..... A straw!

Why do we want to be a model then?

and don't say the money

because I'm telling you now

very few girls get rich or famous.

The ones that do are the exception.

Being model is better than being cleaning lady

hm

Can you walk?

Trevor

Yes I walk a long way to Mogadishu

No

no

Can ..... You Walk

This the new girl I take it ?

You trained her?

Yes

Oh no

Oh who knew ... bye bye Lucinda take care

Bye bye darling

A sloucher

and what a shame

Nicole you're having a baby

You look great

Well done

So walk to the couch

Come on come on come on

[sighs]

No no no that's hideous hideous hideous, take them off

Oh god what are you hiding under that tent

fat!

cellulite!

can't send them bubble wrap, they'll never book one of my girls again

lift your dress

lift your dress!

You have a casting session in half an hour from now, if you don't want it to be you're last one lift your dress!

[sniffs]

You work in a burger bar or something/

you did

Oh!

you have a bum

right you'll have to get rid of that

Oh! my

gosh what have you done to your feet?

Oh!

Marcel!

are they

scars?

We'll have to do something to hide

Oh god!

Well

Okay

good job Donaldson is salivating for you

here's the address

take a taxi

I cannot take taxi

Darling!

there isn't going to be a limousine to pick you up, us ordinary mortals have to take cabs

No I mean have no money

I walk?

Bertrand

I want that back

[speaking French]

Okay, now..... umm

[speaking French]

Waris?

you're next

Spot!

No

I go

Now hold on

so you're Donaldson's girl?

Yes

er hang on, come back

Yes

Relax turn around

Waris my darling you are going to travel the globe

I have booked you into all the big shows

Everywhere

from the deserts of Africa to the catwalks of the world, I'm a genius

So

first stop Paris

you're going to travel with Naomi and Christina

[speaks French]

Then you are going to meet all the French photographers

introduced by moi (me) of course

and then

my darling, thanks to my brilliance

we've got two major campaigns in America

That's where the big money is darling

In America

So hand over your passport

Mary called again

Yup

yes

This is the third time she's called

To bad!

Fresh water

C'mon ..... give it to me

otherwise how can I organise all those visas

Oh my god, a Somali relic

Marcel!

Gonna cost us a fortune in visa fees

but you're worth it

you look amazing by the way

you having sex?

What!

Next please

Next please

You didn't get into it?

They all look like their better than me

I don't care

that's my move, it happens

What

For you

to say thank you

This fall off the back of a lorry or what!

you can't afford this

They want me to go to the big fashion shows it's lots of money

[gasps]

yea!

But you need to teach me to walk

Waris!

Wari!

sorry

I wasn't

I wasn't watching

there's a

lady

downstairs to see yea

You are fired!

you have made me look like a complete idiot

Oi! easy

I have spent days getting you bookings all over the globe

and then I discover your illegal

This pathetic little passport of yours is a historic document

it is six years out of date

You're going to get yourself deported back to you're dreary little desert

and I'm going to lose every penny I've invested in your skinny little arse

What do you mean she's getting deported

Err! excuse me m'lady, could you mind those stilettos on my floor

you make any marks and I'll bill you for the damage

I have got a car waiting

Alright

Marry me

Oh! get up Neil. We haven't got time for your love sick tomfoolery

I mean it

You know

we....we just get married on paper

Waris gets a passport job done

I don't have time for this

we fly out on Tuesday

Children children can we just use a bit of lateral thinking here

Do you know somebody?

Might do

How much?

Three thousand

Two

Two 'n half

Better be good?

He is

No, no, no I have no money

Take this back then

No no Waris

my people have caused yours so much suffering and

subjugation over the years

just

seems the least I can do

er! thank you darling

we won't be needing any noble sacrifices

very sweet

take these?

Prefer cash

Oh please

Alright ten 'n half percent surcharge

Make the call

Don't worry they'll fix it. It's fine

Okay , now listen up everybody

We get to Paris and Jean Luke from Claude management

will take us to a darling little hotel in Saint Germaine

From there it's straight to the Vogue party at the Ritz

qui j'adore [which I love]

Then you sleep for six and a quarter hours

Tomorrow it is fittings

Givenchy in the morning and Chanel and Dior in the afternoon

and I don't want to see any alcohol and I do not want to see any drugs

Do you understand me girls ?

Okay

Thursdays Donatellas birthday party

and rumour has it that Johnny Depp is going to be there

Monday Madonna is opening Gaultier

so I've booked you all for that

go on qqq quick

there we go

there we go

and you are now my darling

Waris O'sullivan

sweet ....... off you go .....come

Thank you

Who's Johnny Depp?

Mrs Waris O'sullivan we have to ask you to come with us

No,no,no there's a mistake

there's some mistake here

excuse me she's a legitimate UK citizen

she's a legitimate UK citizen

Get up get up, I'm calling my lawyea

I'm calling my lawyea

Your father beats your mother, because she let you go.

But mothers never stop loving their daughters.

Your father will never forgive you. But you can't stay with us.

I can't go back home, grandmother.

Marium, a sister of your mother,

is the wife of the Somali ambassador in London.

She s looking for a maid.

It's Allah's will that you move on.

There will be war in Somalia. In Europe you are safe.

Don't come back.

They will try to change you there.

Never forget where you come from.

Here is your passport.

It tells people who you are. Without it you are no one.

May Allah protect you, Afyareh.

Go in peace.

Go in peace.

Go in peace.

There s a Coup d'Etat in Somalia!

[indistinct talking in Somali]

[indistinct talking in Somali]

[on television] Ladies and Gentlemen welcome to

this is your lucky day

Today

is

your lucky

day

[indistinct talking in Somali]

[indistinct talking in Somali]

The president is deposed.

The embassy staff has been recalled! Waris, pack your belongings!

I can't go back!

You've got some good friends, they've just paid your bail

you're free to go

After your Embassy closed down there was a six month period

during which you were automatically granted asylum

as a political refugee

all you had to do was extend your passport

one stamp

that's all it would have taken

I didn't know

We're granting you a limited permit to remain in the UK

you must report to immigration once a week

any infringements and you will be deported

and do you know why you're still sitting there?

and not back with you're camels in some miserable hut without water or broadband

'cause I hired the best lawyea in town

which I should have done in the first place

instead of trusting that your low life associates could organise a piss up in a brewery

You've cost me thousands my darling

thousands

and I will have it back

every penny

You will do every job I send you're way

and you will not complain and you will do it before the immigration authorities send you back!

So you are indebted

Marcel

Marcel

£10,745.23p

that is the lawyea

that's the travel costs and that is what

you owe her in lost commission for all the jobs you didn't get to do

Hurry up .....here you go

What about the bail that you paid?

I don't need that back

I should have double checked that dodgy passport

I mean I'm the one that knows about this stuff not you

This is erm

my fault

You were just trying to help

So what are you going to do then?

I need a work permit

Oh no! Waris you cannot be serious?

No

What?

I'm so sorry

I had a right nightmare

first bus wouldn't let me on, it was full

had to get some flowers

here

Thank you

You are sure you want to do this?

remember I have no money

I don't want your money

And you can't touch her

What! I've got a girlfriend actually

Oh!...yea

She's Polish blonde beautiful

Where is she then?

Marylin that would be strange

yea

Right shall we do this?

c'me on

See there's only one way to fox 'em

and that's if we live together as man and wife

so

Oh!

Whoa! tradition

O

Okay

there

What about your girlfriend?

She'll be fine

She works for Amnesty International

here

smile

What are you doing?

Well we have to take photographs

err

proof of our love

here ...... right ...... so

Would you prefer to sleep?

on the left

or on the right

'cause I'm easy

I don't mind

On the sofa

yea

see

thing is

the immigration boys

they'll be popping round for surprise inspections

We need to keep one step ahead of them

you know?

it has to look real

yea

okay

yea sorry about that

maids day off

That's okay

Neil thank you

for everything

really

[doorbell rings]

Ah!

okay

best behaviour

no officers of the law sweeping in to make arrests

£2000 yes?

You betcha! straight into my bank account

So! everybody, may I present Waris Dirie

Where are the car tyres?

Car tyres?

Oh! [laughs]

Ah!

Pirelli is a calender darling

run along to make up

Where is Donaldson? isn't he talking the pictures?

You don't need a leader

So what do you think? Okay

Is he here yet?

Oh!

you know Terry

So! did we do the body , yea, and the feet

She doesn't need anything

Afternoon, hello, hello, hello, hello Lucinda

Maestro

Hello darling .......... hello

Sorry I'm late

apologies Waris I picked my daughter up from school

Look I found this look

I thought you might like it?

Thank you

How are you

Oh! great yea hm hm

She'll be fine with me

Thank you

Oh! okay could you leave please

thank you

there off

it's a duck feather look

ringing on it

quack quack

We all set Spike

Yes boss

Here's your mark my love

that's it now

Hey!

don't think about the money

they never made anybody more gorgeous

Right, let's do err a polish err Spike

right

I'm just gonna do the one

Ah! Spike

guess I'll have a cup of tea now yea

Waris

You're gonna have to take your clothes off

Waris you're a lovely person you know

the inside as much as much on the outside

if we get this right

it'a change your life

so its all got to come off

right?

You are aloud to breathe you know

right here we go

right chin up

No not at once,ah, that's it

lovely

okay

chin up again

mouth

that's it

up to your right, that is lovely

Okay just turn to the right side a bit

open your mouth a bit

bit more

no not that much, close it, that's it, that's it

that's lovely

that's good

it's great

its good

I made chicken soup

you like that, no?

So

where have you been?

hell I was worried about yea

you know London can be a dangerous place

I need my wife to be safe

No I'm not your wife

Do you know what?

it's exactly what you are

and you better not be cheating on me

But you have a friend called Anishka

You certainly nag me like a wife don't yea

do you know what a nag is?

You said you would introduce me to her

it's a waste of water

Don't you tell me what to do in my own flat yea

I helped you out

you're not in the desert now

grow up

I'm sorry

sorry look we shouldn't

get at each other like this, should we

I don't want to fight either

They all desire you, don't they

but I have yea

and your a bloody 'orrible cook

[door buzzer]

[door buzzer]

[knocking on door]

Home office

open the door please

[door buzzer]

[knocking on door]

it's a raid

[door buzzer]

Mrs. Waris Phillon

yes

Home office

bathroom

lounge

You do know it's five in the morning?

this is out of order

Mr. Phillon

well down child

would you like some tea?

No thank you

Can you confirm this is the marital bed?

Yes

Utised by both of you?

Yes

Why

Wanna know what we do in it?

That won't be necessary sir

We're not ashamed you know

Oih

Yes alright love birds

You'll be seeing us again

no doubt

Excuse me

Yep

Do you have these in a five?

I let them deport me

Shit

One minute, sorry

What are you talking about?

Waris

Miss my mother

miss my brother, I want to go home

Hey no

Your marriage only has to last a year, you haven't long to go

and then you can get divorced

and then you never have to see that plonker again

listen

Waris

Oh! Neil please

I love you

Why can't you give it time?

you will grow to love me

What about your Polish girlfriend?

There is no girlfriend

how could there be any woman but you?

I'm sorry

I'm sorry

No

You just don't know what it's like?

to be crazy about a woman

Please

No

Please

I'm not a saint

every night I'm in bed with the most beautiful woman in the world

she won't let me touch her

Yea

it's no different with you primitive race's is it?

Indefinite leave

to remain

Thank you

This is my sister

isn't she nice?

that's my sister

true it is

ain't she good

my sister

my sister

could be your lucky day, discovered her on the loo

honestly

Harold Jackson

yea

I'm sorry I

London

Down jacket

you look great, what, what are you doing here?

erm I err

Hey

Hey

err

coincidence

my err

friend lives on the same floor yea

Open the door

I can't remember her name

She's pretty

Well she's outrageous

she's just dropped everything and gone back to bloody Africa

The wretched BBC

are making some film about her

the day that changed my life or something

I mean I'm the one who changed her life darling they should be making a film about me

Waris

so good to see you

you look great

what are you wearing?

Err Um do you want something to drink

coffee, tea, water, still, sparkling, coke?

Water please

err another water please

Yes mam

So

I err watched the BBC fim

thought it was amazing

so tell me how do you err, feel about seeing your mother?

you haven't seen her in how long?

20 years

Wow!

20 years

god

I would love not to see my mother for 20 years

you really are a nomad girl

now look at you

you're

you're a top model

everybody adores

so

erm tell me erm

how you got discovered?

tell me about the day that changed your life

You just walked into a fast food restaurant and there was this photographer, right

That's not the day that changed my life

What!

Well

What do you mean

I don't want to do any more of this, nomad girl to top model stories

Well that's what we arranged, that's what our readers want

If I tell you a story

you guarantee me it will be published?

Look I, I can't guarantee you anything

you know, we're

we're one of the top magazines

we've got readers all over the world

Okay

okay

tell me

tell me about the day that

changed your life

I was 3 years old

and the night before I was

given an extra portion of rice

didn't know why

[speaking Somali]

[speaking Somali]

I am one of twelve children so my mother had to get back to the others

my wound became infected and

I developed a high fever

the clitoris is removed

and the inner and outer lips of the vulva are cut away

and the wound is sown up

only scaring remains where the genitals once were

The medkhan left a hole the size of a match head

I went back to the rocks once

everything was gone

it was eaten by the birds

[sniffling]

[weeping]

So I'm headed home, and she shows up out of no where

She sees my room mate freaks out, runs away.

No phone number, no address

I don't even remember her name

Sounds like a great story, man

Tom

Will you get some better magazines man!

I've been asking you that since I started coming here.

Hey could someone bring some sugar to the front and err, get over to table number six and see what they want.

Oh!

This is her, Desert Flower, this

This is the girl,

this is this girl I'm talking about

This is the girl I just met

Yea!

what about the other girl, the other cover, the other magazine

No! I'm serious

okay

UN HEADQUARTER, NEW YORK

It's time!

[knocking on door]

Darlin'

Waris!

Christ!

Don't think about doing this cinderella trick,

'cause I have every exit covered

Missy!

You know take your time

I mean people have only flown half way across the world to hear you speak

but you know that

You ready?

Yes err umm,

Yes I'm ready, I've been sat there for

half an hour

I was begining to think you had done something

Thinking of calling security

Security [mimics Warisa]

You'se look great, is this how your waking now, is it?

Thinking of showing me up in there? or something

I mean I teach you everything I know.

Do you remember?

I missed you

Happy your here

[tannoy] Ladies and Gentleman please take your seats. Our speaker today will be Ms Waris Dirie from Somalia

[audience applause]

I love my mother

I love my family

and I love Africa

For Over three thousand years

the family truly believes

that a daughter who is not circumcised

is not clean

because what exists between our legs is unclean.

So it must be removed

and sealed up,

as proof of viginity and virtue

and in the wedding night

the husband takes a blade or a knife

and cuts it open

before he forces himself into his bride

An uncircumcised girl cannot marry

consequently she is expelled from her village

and put on the same level

as a whore.

This practice continues even though it is not written in the Koran.

It is accepted that

as a result of this mutilation,

woman are sick, mentally and physically, for the rest of their lives,

The same women who are the back bone of Africa

I survived,

but my two sisters didn't.

Sofia bled to death

after being mutilated

and Armina died

in child birth with the baby in her belly.

How much stronger would our continent be

if this senseless ritual were abolished.

There is a proverb in my country,

The last camel in line

walks as quickly as the first

What ever happens to least of us,

has an effect on all of us.

When I was a child,

I said I did not want to be a woman

why? when it is so painful

nd so unhappy,

but now that I am grown

I am proud to be who I am

but for the sake of all of us

let us try and change what that means

to be a woman

130 million girls and women worldwide suffer from the impact of circumcision. Aso in Europe and the USA immigrants continue this cruel tradition.

Waris Dirie was the first woman to bring the practice of female genitital mutilation to world public attention.

In 1977 she was appointed by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan to be the ambassador in the fight against this terrible ritual.

Since then female genital mutilation is officially forbidden in many countries.

Never the less six thousand girls are maimed daily.