I live in The Bronx, New York. My family moved here to the United States from Gambia, which is in Africa. I object I want to be sharing with you came from Gambia, too, and it was given to me by my Grandma. The object is a necklace. It is in the shape of Africa and has the African colors—red, yellow and green. She gave me three necklaces that are like this but they do not have the exact same design. It is important that it is in the shape of Africa because that is where I am from and that is where my family is from. I also feel connected to my grandmother through the necklaces. My grandmother said that she wore these regularly, even if it was not a special occasion. Every time I wear or even just see the necklace, it reminds me of her. The memory makes me feel happy because she is really special to me, so that makes the object something more than just a necklace.

– Binta Gumaneh

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