Dubai: At a time when most children her age are just beginning to make their career and life plans, 14-year-old Hannah Nishat-Botero has already penned a book of poems.
And not only do her poems reflect the sensitivity and depth of thought which is alien to many of us, this teenager is also working on another book project under which she plans to give to charity the proceeds from sales.
Nishat-Botero, who is Colombian and Pakistani, started writing poems when she was 11 and, after correspondence with a couple of publishers, Author House published her collection recently.
A rather shy individual, she confesses: “I write most of the things that come to my mind. I find it easier to express through writing.” The poems are about her everyday life, thoughts about how things should be- whether it is ‘The way life should be’, which she wrote as she felt strongly for those who are not so privileged, or, the two poems on dealing with diabetes.
“I was quite sad when just before my 11th birthday I learnt I had diabetes. But as I learnt to handle it, I have tried to tell others that it is manageable and many kids have it today,” she says.
Talk to her about her inspiration and Nishat-Botero says: “Dr Seuss, the writing is inspiring and funny, I also want to add humour with a message to my writing.”
She writes her thoughts on her notebook and says, she would want writing to be her profession.
“I also love music and dancing.”
And as one wonders at the clarity of thought and focus that she has, she continues to surprise as she says: “This time, I am working on a story, maybe a novel.”
