Empowering Adolescent Girls and Young Mothers

Uwingabire Noella

Noella's life has been marked by significant challenges. Her father left her and her family due to conflicts, leaving them without his support. Noella was forced to drop out of school in Primary 6 because her family could not afford to continue her education.

Tragedy struck when Noella was raped, resulting in a pregnancy. Unfortunately, she does not know the identity or whereabouts of the perpetrator, nor does she have any means of contacting him. The situation became even more difficult when her mother, unable to cope with the circumstances, chased Noella out of their home.

Now, Noella struggles to care for her daughter, Joanna Kessy. In desperation, she sometimes relies on financial support from older men, often referred to as "sugar daddies," to provide for her child's needs. This situation highlights the extreme hardships faced by young mothers in similar circumstances, who often lack support systems and are forced into difficult choices to survive.