I became pregnant at 17 years old while I was in my second year of secondary school. I never told my parents about my situation, but eventually, my mother approached me after hearing rumors from others in our community. She was often out and about, and the whispers reached her. This was a very difficult time for me. My parents were in deep conflict, and the situation only worsened.
My child was frequently sick, and I faced many challenges throughout this journey. I spent two months in the hospital after an operation due to complications, and shortly after that, my child began to suffer from paralysis.
My family abandoned me, and to this day, nothing has changed. I felt immense pressure and bullying during my pregnancy. The father of my child rejected him and refused to register him. Even when our child fell ill, he said that his family does not accept sick children.
Throughout this painful journey, I struggled to find clean water to drink, and my mother would secretly bring me food. My child’s paralysis added to my despair, and I often lacked the money to take him for medical screenings.
Fortunately, Haguruka helped me overcome my depression. I had been living in isolation, consumed by negative thoughts about my life. There was a day when I felt like I might take my own life, but Haguruka taught me to accept myself and recognize my worth. I learned that I wasn’t alone; many others were going through similar struggles. I realized that giving birth didn’t mean my life was over—I could still continue my education.
With support from Haguruka, I received psychosocial assistance and used facilitation fees to buy soap for my baby. They taught us about children’s rights and encouraged us to save a small amount of money to start a business and generate income.
Now, I feel hopeful about my future. I believe I will return to school because education is essential for a better life. I want to advise other girls to be cautious of those who might deceive them.