Thank Goodness for You!

*Before you read on, I want to let you know that the content of this email might be triggering if you have been a victim of violence. 

Betty is 14 years old. She's a child who had a child four months ago.  When I write about situations like this, I often say that “she became pregnant in very difficult circumstances.” She was a victim of violence.  

The perpetrator, who was a teacher at Betty's school, was arrested, convicted, and is now in prison in Uganda. We're relieved that the government took action in this case and is acting in support of women.

It's not too often that we see justice in these circumstances, especially in the remote villages.

Betty had to drop out of school and is staying with an aunt. Thankfully, she heard about our Girls' Vocational Center and asked to join the hairdressing course. This is a very marketable skill in Uganda and will give her the opportunity to begin earning a small income

Because of all of you, our donors and supporters, Betty had a place to go.  She is learning and now has the support of our team and the other girls. Our team member Hilda says she has seen positive changes in Betty in the short time she's been coming to the center. She now feels hopeful and that she can have a better future.

While we can provide her with the classes,  Betty needs supplies for her baby. As part of our Bridge to Success program, we've posted a project for her on Donorsee so that she can have baby clothes, bedding, a mosquito net, diapers, and food for both of them. This will help the baby to be healthy and develop properly.  

We are so thankful to all of you. Without your support, there would have been nowhere for Betty to go!

 In these rural villages where we work, no one else is coming to help. You and we are it!  People are living in extreme poverty. The girls and young women usually have no education or have had to drop out of school. Many are lacking literacy skills. 

Thanks to you, we are seeing progress. Several of the women have been able to start small businesses. The Vocational Center is training 35 girls, both at the center and in the community.  Reproductive health classes are being held, and girls have received period supply kits!

You are making a big difference and giving these girls and their children a better future! 

With Gratitude,

Mary

P.S. If you'd like to contribute to baby supplies for Betty, you can make a donation on our crowdfunding partner site, DonorSee, or you can donate directly on our CLP site and put Betty in the notes.