Empowering Adolescent Girls and Young Mothers

Umutoni Clarisse

Clarisse is 17 years old and lives with her parents. Her family has faced significant financial challenges, leading her father to instruct her and her siblings to leave home and find jobs to support themselves. Clarisse managed to study up to Senior 3 but was forced to drop out due to financial constraints. At the age of 15, she began working as a houseworker to contribute to her family's income.

Tragedy struck when Clarisse's boss left her alone at home with a boy who also lived there. That night, the boy took advantage of the situation and raped Clarisse. After discovering she was pregnant, Clarisse informed the boy, who claimed he was incapable of raising a child. When she reported the incident to her boss, she was immediately fired and forced to leave her job.

Now, Clarisse struggles to care for her baby, facing significant financial and emotional challenges. Despite living with her parents, she lacks the support needed to navigate her difficult circumstances effectively.