By Fedelis | Aged 16, of Mayuge District, Uganda
Fedelis (16) is one of 65,000 Ugandan girls whom Act4Africa aims to provide with a brighter future through Global Giving. These are her words.
"I count myself privileged and lucky to be in school, as otherwise, I would have already been married off at an early age. I live near a fishing community where fishing is the source of livelihood for nearly every family, and early marriages are such a common norm.
"Coming from a large family of seven and being the eldest girl, much as my father cited financial reasons for my being out of school, girls are rarely a priority in most families for educational opportunities.
"As I reached my teenage years, the temptations of being lured into early marriage were high due to forces in the environment surrounding my community. Besides having been married off at an early age, perhaps I would have been infected with HIV as, there are very high rates of HIV infection around the itinerant fishing community.
"The stigma and ridicule from my fellow peers of the fact that I was not in school and the many advances from the fishermen tempted me to leave my community against my wish and plan. Then one day, Act4Africa came to my village and mobilized a group of girls and young women to form a savings and enterprise group. As a group we set up a pig farm and began saving money into a joint bank account, arranged with help from Act4Africa.
"Over the next couple of years I became an active member of the group and was proud to become Act4Africa’s youngest Community Mentor. I am very fortunate that Act4Africa recognized my potential to become a young leader and I am so grateful to have been chosen to join Act4Africa’s Grow A Girl programme. Thanks to overseas sponsors I am now privileged to be in school. This is a life changing experience that is driving my future aspirations. I now hope to become a nurse.
"None of this would have happened if it weren’t for supporters of Act4Africa through Global Giving. Your donations help support the talented and supportive Ugandan team of mentors, trainers and advisors, for whose efforts I am truly grateful – with your support, Act4Africa has made me the person I am today.
"My heartfelt thanks to you!"
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