Anabo and Maria want a second chance

This year' IWD found me in Amuria district, in a village where I went to honor a fallen woman hero. My grand mother who passed away aged 91 years and was among the first women to get an education in the 1940s in Teso region. She served as a nurse and has left a legacy to be remembered. 

During this trip I had an opportunity to speak on a one-on-one basis with three teen girls. 

1. Anabo (not real name) a young mother of two told me her desire to go back to school and acquire an economic skill to enable her take care of her children. Her relative took her to the city to pursue an education in secondary school but her parents did not see this as a proper decision because they believe the city was going to corrupt her mind to become promiscuous. She was withdrawn back to the village school and eventually  she got pregnant but the man responsible denied responsible for the pregnancy. Anabo says she was so desperate and got into another relationship which made her pregnant in the village. She believed that pleasing her parents by bringing in dowry was a solution. She went into the marriage but again this did not work out as she was being beaten by her husband and the children are suffering. She came back to her parents home where she is being ridiculed for failing marriage. Now she is pleading to be given another chance for an education....and be supported. 

2. Maria  is another girl I met who is desperate to continue with her education. she was in secondary level 3 (Senior 3). Her parents are very poor and she has 7 siblings. Her parents believe she should get married to get the family out of the very bad poverty situation. Maria is among the few girls I have met who is determined to set herself aside and change her life through an education. She left her parents and went to her auntie hoping that she can join a vocational trade like hairdressing or tailoring. She is seeking a sponsor to support her achieve her dream.

All in all I had the opportunity to encourage these girls that life is what you make. Life is full of mistakes and its how you deal with those challenges and mistakes which determines whether you will succeed or fail. Persistence will yield belter results. I also emphasized to them that the decision solely lies with them and only them. Others may come to help but the ultimate decision is theirs. I am glad I was able to encourage these girls and I hope that they can one day look back and smile when their dreams are fulfilled. I only feel a bit powerless when I cant pay their fees and actually see them in school/technical. The social norms (forced marriages) are real and so strong in these communities and need to be tackled

If you you are convicted that Anabo and Maria deserve a second chance and you can support in one way or the other, you can inbox me.