A Flower in a Pond: the story of Water Lily

Everyone has dreams, but not everyone has the freedom to pursue them without fear. As we celebrate World Humanitarian Day, we are reminded of the importance of kindness, inclusivity, and empathy.

This is the story of a 17-year-old boy who identifies as Water Lily, his favourite flower. Like many others, Water Lily dreamt of dancing, of studying, and of becoming someone who mattered. But the world around him struggled to accept his identity. When he tried to express who he truly was, he was met with online hate. His social media became a source of pain, filled with scornful comments that cut deep into his spirit.

A Painful Silence

“Earlier, I would use Facebook, but due to negative comments, I deactivated it. I would get comments like..he has the face of a girl, so is his voice. I don’t know why they say that.”, he said.

His confidence faded, and he began to shut himself away, even avoiding public spaces at school to escape the taunts of his peers.

A Spark of Hope

However, a spark gave him strength. At school, he joined the Red Ant Club, a child rights group operational under the Safety for Children and their Rights OnLine (SCROL) project. There, he heard words that would change his life: “You are not different. You are worthy of respect.”

“After coming to the Red Ant club, we had events about gender where we shared that all genders are equal,” Water Lily said. “All boys and girls are equal, and we should respect everyone. No one should be looked down on.”

For the first time, Water Lily found a space where his identity was not something to hide, but something to honour. 

A Voice for Change

In that space of safety and solidarity, Water Lily found his voice. He began speaking up in the club, tentatively at first, then with growing confidence. He learned how to protect himself from online harm and how to stand tall in his own truth.

“I was elected the president of the club. I play a leadership role for the whole school,” he proudly shared. “We do awareness programmes in different schools on online safety.”

Supported by his new community, Water Lily not only learned to navigate online dangers but has also witnessed a positive transformation in himself.

“I am very happy at the club. I feel I am stronger now,” he stated. “Earlier, I was fearful about how people would comment about me and my voice. I don’t feel so now. I will not be scared. I will reactivate my Facebook account. If people comment, I will not care about the comments.”

Dreaming without Fear

Now, at 17, Water Lily is capable of dreaming without fear. His vision is a world where every child has the freedom to express themselves, regardless of their identity. Having found the courage to be himself, he is also actively pursuing his personal ambition of becoming a dancer and an instructor.

“I learnt not to give up,” he stated. “The club has taught me not to be scared and to move forward.” 

His journey from fear to freedom proves to us all that a world without fear begins with a community that chooses to be kind.

Watch his full story here!