By Madeline Balser | Development Manager
Alisais a 19-year-old Congolese refugee who was a high school student in Congo when she faced a distressing situation. At a young age, men began approaching her parents, seeking her hand in marriage. This made Alisa extremely unhappy because she was determined to finish school and fulfill her dream of becoming a doctor.
One evening, while returning home, Alisa discovered five men in her compound. Upon further inquiry, she realized they had come to ask for her hand in marriage. Frightened and in disagreement, Alisa tried to protest, but her parents seemed determined. As she attempted to escape, the men forcibly caught her and took her to the suitor's house, where she experienced assault and became pregnant.
Alisa managed to flee from the man's house and return to her parents' home, but they rejected her and subjected her to constant verbal abuse. When war erupted in her village, Alisa had to escape while six months pregnant. Without the support of her family, she embarked on a perilous journey to safety, heavily pregnant and relying on the kindness of strangers.
Upon arriving in Kenya in 2023, Alisa had to rely on the goodwill of strangers for food and shelter until she gave birth. However, this unstable housing situation exposed her to physical and verbal abuse from those who hosted her. Alisa expresses that she felt burdened by the baby and even contemplated abandoning the child after birth. "People treated me poorly because I was unmarried and pregnant, and I felt like I didn't want the baby because of the circumstances surrounding his conception."
It wasn't until the baby was three months old that Alisawas connected withRefuSHE through a generous individual. She was immediately taken to theSafeHouse where she and her child received medical care. Once her own health and that of her baby improved, Alisa began receiving counseling, which helped her navigate the various stressors and challenges in her life. "Before RefuSHE, I was always stressed and had negative thoughts. But now those thoughts are gone because counseling has taught me how to cope, and I've learned to accept what happened to me."
Alisa has also found a supportive community of other refugee and Kenyan girls, and she has made friends among them. "I've made friends and realized that everyone faces their own challenges. It makes me happy to know that I am not alone."
Alisa has also overcome her initial feelings of animosity towards her baby, sharing that "When the baby was born, I felt an overwhelming amount of love. All my negative thoughts vanished."
In addition to counseling and support, Alisa enjoys participating in yoga and Zumba classes at the SafeHouse. "Yoga has helped me clear my mind. Even when I'm stressed, joining the class brings me calm and relaxation."
Today, Alisa's son has turned one and is healthy. She expresses her happiness at feeling safe now and having access to necessities such as food and medical care.
Despite the challenges she has faced, Alisaremains hopeful and believes she will rebuild her life and fulfill her dream of becoming a doctor. She reveals that her favorite subjects in school were math, biology, and chemistry.
For Alisa, a promising future means ensuring the safety and well-being of herself and her child, as well as having access to basic necessities and education which will enable her to be self-sufficient.
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