People deal with traumatic experiences differently, but one woman resorted to writing. After surviving rape at six years, Monalisa Liabunya found the much healing she needed.
Monalisa Liabunya, 23, is an author of four books about life and how to cope with its challenges.
In My Mind, Perspective, Memories and Ubuntu are about her personal and painful experiences.
A survivor of rape, Monalisa struggled for years to come to terms with the traumatic experience that affected how she viewed life.
In 2014, she overcame that burden, thanks to her focus on writing which helped her wrestle against depression that at some point made her contemplate suicide.
“l visited different therapists, but it wasn’t helping, During this time, I turned to writing as a form of therapy to relieve the pain I was going through. It gave me closure, shaping me in ways I never imagined. Through writing, I was finally able to connect with myself,” says Monalisa.
She attributes the development of her writing passion to Bambino School in Lilongwe.
“We had English as a first language and our teachers encouraged us to write stories regularly. Every time I submitted my work, my English teacher was impressed, often saying, ‘When I read your stories, it feels like there’s real experience behind them, something relatable.’” She adds.
But it was not until 2021 when she published In My Mind with Grandpen Publications.
“Writing this book was a way of documenting my journey during my depression phase, trying to connect with myself and understand my own pain,” the author says.
Upon the book’s release, her authentic voice and compelling story caught the attention of Grandpen Publications.
Impressed by her talent and passion, they offered her a position as their project officer.
In this role, she not only continues her writing journey, but also plays a crucial role in supporting and mentoring budding authors.
“I have helped 100 fellow authors publish their books. For this reason, I was awarded the Entrepreneurship Award by Grandpen Publications,” says Monalisa.
Following the success of her first book, In My Mind, the young star wrote her second book, The Perspective.
This work marked a significant step in her healing journey.
During this time, Monalisa joined The 21st Generation, a youth organisation dedicated to mental health and youth empowerment.
“Perspective not only reflects my experience. l collaborated with other young writers to share their own experiences then l compiled it since mental health is abroad topic,” she says.
The author says after the two books, she turned to a deeply personal subject in her third book, Memories. She describes the book as a product born out of grief after the loss of her beloved grandmother.
“It was the first time losing someone close. Grieving someone you were so connected to is different, it’s a pain that shakes you in ways you never imagined,” she recalls.
Monalisa says in her sorrow, she found herself telling friends that she might never write again.
The overwhelming emotions made it difficult for her to process the loss, let alone express it.
She adds: “l began accepting that my grandmother was truly gone, so in this process of healing, l recalled the vibrant, loving person my late grandmother had been.
“l started writing again, not because I wanted to, but because I had to. I had to capture the essence of who she was.”
Monalisa says Memories became a tribute to her grandmother and a way to preserve her memory and celebrate the love the two shared.
She says the book turned into more than just a tribute, it became a source of comfort for others.
“After the book was published, a close friend, who had also lost someone dear to her, found solace in my words. I realised that through our pain, we can help others heal,” says Monalisa.
In her fourth book, Ubuntu, Monalisa explores the deep connection between identity, values and the choices we make drawing inspiration from the African philosophy of Ubuntu which means ‘I am because we are.’
Initially, Monalisa was toying with the idea of naming the book ‘What is Sex?’ because she wanted to explore how sexuality shapes people.
She says: “In our Malawian context, sex is something people indulge in, but shun discussing the chemistry around it.
“Ubuntu also addresses the realities faced by young girls who often find themselves making life-altering decisions at a tender age, such as engaging in sexual activity without understanding the gravity of the consequences.”
Monalisa’s writing aims to empower these girls to take responsibility for their choices and to approach life with a greater sense of awareness and self-respect.
This fourth book adds a new layer to Monalisa’s body of work, as she pushes beyond personal healing and expands her focus to social responsibility and collective identity.
“I am because we are and every choice we make has an impact not just on us, but on the world around us for instance if you are to take your own life think about how it will affect your close relatives,” she says.
S h e a t t r i b u t e s t h e achievement ‘in the nerve racking publishing industry’ to hard work.
“I also draw inspiration and guidance from some of the world’s most renowned figures such as Oprah Winfrey, Dr. Jessie Kabwila, Joel Osteen and Jay Shetty,” she says.
Monalisa says she is particularly drawn to the American host and TV producer Oprah because she is also a survivor of rape.
A second-year Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration student at the Malawi School of Government, Monalisa’s says she balances her life across her various roles.
She says the art of time management helps her to juggle between being an employee at GrandPen Publications, a published author and other roles.
“Arnold Schwarzenegger once said, ‘Time is enough, it just depends on how you see it.’ And I live by that, ensuring I dedicate enough time to each of my passions,” says Monalisa.
The young star hopes to write more books and start a podcast in rural areas to advocate for mental health.
And so, there goes the story of a young man who change the fortunes after years of harbouring internal pain.
This post was originally published on here
