By Louise Batty | Managing Director
Dear Friends,
thank you so much for helping us to acheive our goals. As you will be aware the micro project which you supported has now been retired and we failed to reach our goal of $2,000 but dont worry. We have planned the camp in June 2016 wo that gives us 4 more months to fund raise to reach our total.
I want to share a story with you about the impact of our work and what you are helping to support and the impact we are acheiving. Although it is a difficult story to share it is also important that you know the realities the children we are working with are facing.
I will call her Jennifer. Jennifer is 17yrs and in grade 11 this year. Last year in March 2015 Jennifer was raped by her next door neighbour. She reported it to her mother, her was scared to report it further because of fear of reprisal. With the exposure to children’s rights Jennifer received through KTD196, Jennifer reported the case to the police. Her mother didn’t want KTD196 told. The police arrested the perpetrator. He has since been released on bail and is living next door awaiting a trial date.
Jennifer became pregnant through the rape and courageously decided not to have an abortion but to put the baby up for adoption. Jennifer had to contend with teachers and students ridiculing her and being nasty to her for being a pregnant teenager. This was further compounded by clinic nurses who treated her very badly by judging her. Her mother still did not want anyone told about the circumstances. Jennifer agreed to this in order to honor her mothers wishes.
Jennifer was asked to leave school because she was obviously pregnant. Jennifer went alone to the magistrates court and requested a letter stating that she was raped and there for was allowed to remain is school even though being pregnant.
Jennifer gave birth to her baby on Christmas day 2015 and fell madly in love with the child and has decided to keep the baby. KTD196, since finding out about the pregnancy, has provided support and aid to both mother and child. We have also advocated for her with the school, clinic and Scout group who were unaware of the circumstances of the pregnancy. (It was also a good opportunity to speak about the danger of making judgments but also to support teenagers who are pregnant and not just dismiss them).
Jennifer is now in Matriculation. She starts school at 0630 till 1900. She is not allowed to breast feed her child on school grounds. Her mother walks the 4kms to school 3 times a day with the baby so Jennifer can feed the child to give her daughter the right nutritional start to life.
Jennifer says it’s because of Scouts and KTD196 that she is able to stand up for herself and overcome horrific circumstances. Since the community has found out about the circumstances of the pregnancy Jennifer has been recognised as a strong young person who has overcome. Jennifer hopes one day to become a social worker.
Because of your support we have been able to build the resilience needed to overcome such terrible circumstances for Jennifer and her beautiful baby. Not just over come but Jennifer wants to contribute back to support other girls in particular through becoming a social worker. This is just one story of many to encourage you about the value we are achieving with your donation. Thank you
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