How a Tanzanian made her dream come true by climbing the Great Wall

Cecilia poses a photo on the Great Wall. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

It was unforgettable memory of my life; the feeling of seeing myself achieve what I had been dreaming for so long was so good.

The thought of seeing the Great wall was in my mind for a very long time and that desire came after seeing several Chinese films with the Great Wall (GW) in the scene. I just knew in my heart that one day I will go on top of that wall.

That image in my mind developed into a dream which came to pass on September 2015.

It was one beautiful sunny day, when we started our journey from my university (Communication University of China). I was excited to see that beautiful scenery of GW.

I started my first leg of GW by humming a song in my heart. As I was in a group, we began our trip together but as the time moved on I was getting tired and weaker. I decided to sit down and let others go ahead telling myself that I have to finish the race.

At that time I was six week pregnant, so I did not want to push myself hard for the sake of my baby. I told my baby in my womb that " you are very lucky climbing this Great Wall with me today because it took me 20 years to make my dream come true. But you, my baby, you just got it with chance, and when you are born and grown up; I will tell you the story of this day.

After like two minutes of rest, I decided to continue with my journey, it was not easy at all. I never thought I would feel so tired but this time I did not stop, I just continued climbing it slowly.

There came a time when I wanted to give up and go back since I was exhausted but one of my friends told me 'you can do it, Cecilia, keep moving!'

I couldn't help tears of joy after reaching the top of GW. I cannot explain the experience. I looked at the view and the nature below us. I just had a flashback of those Chinese films I used to watch back home in my country Tanzania when I was young and now being a reality.

I shouted "I made it! I'm a heroine! Thank you God! That was the happiest day of my life ever since I came in China.

With a great honor I bought a golden souvenir of the Great Wall to remember that day.

Unfortunately I lost my baby on October 8, 2015, after a miscarriage due to complications but what I know is that "I climbed the Great Wall with my unborn baby, it's the memory that I will cherish. When I remember the loss of my baby I cry with a smile that even before she was born, she was a hero.