By Adele Nandan | VP of Business Development and External Relations
Habiba is a 17-year-old Somali refugee mother. She was born in the Dadaab refugee camp, which hosts many refugees fleeing the Somali civil war. When she was just nine years old, her father went to fetch firewood for the family and was killed by hostile Somali tribesmen. Though devastated by this loss, Habiba, her mother and two siblings maintained a close, supportive family life. However, tragedy struck again when Habiba was sexually assaulted on her way to school—the perpetrator also threatened to kill her if she disclosed his identity.
Habiba tried to hide the incident from her family and friends. However, when she realized she was pregnant, her mother and the rest of the community rejected her and Habiba’s world fell apart. Some well-wishers who lived nearby took Habiba in temporarily. Upon giving birth to a healthy baby girl named Annan Abdi, she was referred to the RefuShe’s Safe House for lodging and medical treatment.
When Habiba first came to RefuSHE, she suffered from depression resulting from her trauma. With the support, hard work and care of RefuSHE staff and counselors, Habiba came to terms with the circumstances under which she became pregnant and realized that she could not continue to carry the burden of her clansmen’s’ rejection any longer. She bravely learned to forgive her mother and committed herself to education and caring for her child. The strength and resolve Habiba acquired over the next six months opened doors to incredible opportunities.She is now rated as one of the best students in her class and strives to be a better person each and every day. She has overcome her past fears and moved beyond self-doubt.Habiba is now working on her exit plan with all the skills and support she acquired from RefuSHE. With the income-generating opportunities offered by RefuSHE’s programming she is working toward an independent life for herself and her daughter.Amidst all of life’s challenges, Habiba feels as though she is living her dream and eagerly looks forward to a bright future.
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