Touching Stories
Some stories just can't be left untold...
Rachel is a 16 year old pregnant girl whose mother and step father have left her. They are
pastors who own a small church in the village, and when they found out Rachel was pregnant,
they thought that their reputation would be ruined if the community knew about this. During our
counseling session with her, it was made clear that it was the step father that did not want
Rachel at home anymore, and he threatened his wife to make sure she left, again fearing for his
pastor reputation.
Even a single Dollar could make a huge impact!
Pregnant Ruth and FHMI team
Sara is a 15 year old girl who gave birth to her son 2 weeks ago. Her mother is 31 years old
and also had Sara at 16 years old. They are living together in a shack that is falling apart. Sara
was working as a maid in a home with a few other people, when one day, she was taking a
shower and a boy came in while she was naked and raped her. She fell pregnant immediately
and the boy ran away. Sara was in tears as she was describing her story. Her baby was in her
arms wrapped in a thin cloth and with a sweatshirt that was meant for much older kids.
Even a single Dollar could make a huge impact!
Sarah with her 2 weeks Son
Sarah, Her Mum and FHMI Team
Inside Sarah's Home
Sarah and her baby
Maria is a 26 year old mother of 3 kids, with a newest 2 month old baby.
The baby was born with head enlargement and a large lump on his back.
When she went to the hospital, they told her the baby needs immediate surgery otherwise a lot of complications will arise as he grows up. The whole lower half of his body are paralyzed, and he constantly cries from the unbearable pain.
The surgery costs about 3 million Ugandan Shillings which is 1 thousand dollars
The baby was born with head enlargement and a large lump on his back.
When she went to the hospital, they told her the baby needs immediate surgery otherwise a lot of complications will arise as he grows up. The whole lower half of his body are paralyzed, and he constantly cries from the unbearable pain.
The surgery costs about 3 million Ugandan Shillings which is 1 thousand dollars
Even a single Dollar could make a huge impact!
Maria's baby with a large lump on his back
Denis (FHMI) with Maria
Maria and her baby
These are just a few of the stories of the women here in Uganda. From what I have gathered so
far, the primary issue is teenage pregnancy and lack of sexual education. Women are being
betrayed and lied to by men who promise to take care of them and offer some money. They
accept the enticing offers and sleep together and the young women fall pregnant early in life.
When they give birth, the man realizes he can’t sustain them and it’s too much responsibility,
so he runs away with no trace. The young mothers’s children also have kids in their teenage
years, because they are in such a vulnerable position no knowing what else to do or how to say
no. It’s a cycle that needs to be broken. Adolescent women need to be taught that if they
cannot fully sustain themselves, they cannot sustain a child.