“Sometimes tears roll from my eyes when I start thinking about my situation.”
When she was 16 years old, Stella* was raped. In Northern Uganda, when a teenage girl becomes pregnant by whatever means, she also becomes pregnant with stigma. Most girls who find themselves in this situation drop out of school. Most never return. Stella was one of these girls, and the reality that she would miss out on an education made tears roll from her eyes. In Northern Uganda, an education is often one’s ticket to greater opportunity and offers an escape from the cycle of poverty.
Stella was fortunate to have a supportive family. Her father worried about her and wanted to keep her safe. The man who raped Stella ran away and went into hiding to avoid arrest. But just because he was hiding now, didn’t mean he wouldn’t come back later to try to take her and the baby away. Her father also wanted to protect her from the shame, threats, and mistreatment that so often accompany stigma. Acting in what they thought was the best interest of their daughter, Stella’s family determined that there was no other choice but for Stella to drop out of school indefinitely.
THRIVEGulu, in partnership with Save the Children International and the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD), is supporting teenage mothers to re-enroll in formal education after they have dropped out. THRIVE provides counseling to affected youth and their families, so that everyone encourages the youth to stay in school. Our counselors also work with teachers and pupils to help them be welcoming to students who re-enroll, and they provide education to sensitize villages.
Stella was selected as one of 120 teenage mothers who will be supported in the five-year grant. When THRIVEGulu first shared the good news with the family, Stella was very concerned. As the primary caretaker of her daughter, she didn’t know who could care for her daughter during the day. However, Stella’s mother Joyce jumped into the conversation and said, “Don’t worry, my daughter, I will take good care of the baby and feed her well, so that you can attend school!” Stella was elated for this opportunity to continue her education. Once again, tears rolled from her eyes, but this time she cried the happy tears of opportunity!
“I never thought I would be a teenage mother,” Stella reflects. “But now, my focus is to remain in school, concentrate, and listen to what the teachers tell me. I plan to become a teacher so I can share my life experiences with others, and they can learn from my example. With the opportunity given to me by THRIVE, I have a chance to show my family, my daughter, and myself that I can do this!”
Without the support from our partners and donors like you, youth like Stella would not have an opportunity to return to school for the betterment of themselves and their families.
*This name has been changed to protect her privacy.
