It was a cold morning on the first day of February 2008. Winter was as cold as expected. Katoucha went about her day as usual. A song in her steps. She was making headway with the modelling program back home in Guinea. Sweeter still was her people beginning to understand the damage of FGM. This career path had given her a voice. It gave her the attention she needed for other little girls to get a chance to live.

She went out for drinks as planned that evening. She made a mental note to send some mails before going to bed. Then she relaxed and enjoyed her evening. Towards midnight, she headed home.

Home was a dream come true. A houseboat on the Seine river. The water splashed gently against home. She looked forward to a bed. Her corpse was found days later. She had been declared missing.

The police do not suspect homicide. Her family does. When she died, fighting for the sanity of countless little girls was still uppermost on her mind.

A heroine and queen not celebrated enough. Farewell beautiful queen. Thank you for making a difference.