Mary Acu: Why Teen Girls are At-Risk
“Acu
is about 12 years old. Her uncle said she was big enough to
get married and start having babies.”
In the past, I have
written about several of the reasons the dorms we are building
are so important. I have told you of the 278 orphans killed
during wild dog and hyena attacks from January to October
of '06. I have also told you of slave raiders who ride up
on horseback and take a child who is left alone. Now I have
another story to tell you.
When in Sudan , I meet with the older girls in our school
each day after school is dismissed. One of those girls, Acu,
missed three days of school. When she returned on the fourth
day, she came running to me in tears. She had severe and bloody
rope burns on her wrists and ankles. She told me that the
family who agreed to let her stay with them while she waited
for the dormitories to be built didn't want her to come to
school anymore. The man of the family is actually Acu's uncle;
both her parents are dead.
Acu's
uncle told her she was too old to go to school. Acu
is about 12 years old. Her uncle said she was big enough to
get married and start having babies. When Acu
refused and told him that James Lual Atak, the New Life Ministry
Director, told her she could stay in school until she graduated,
her uncle beat her and tied her hands and feet together. He
kept her bound for three days and would not allow her to eat,
go outside to use the latrine (outhouse) or leave the house
in anyway.
Acu also
showed signs of being raped; but this would be so shameful
for her, she did not disclose rape. James went to talk with
her uncle and, for now, was able to work out a temporary agreement.
The fact is, however, that we know the all our girls are at
high risk of being sold into child marriage or sexual slavery.
While we are working to educate
the people in the community and help them to catch a vision
for a different future, we know this will be a long time in
coming. The real and long-term change will happen as we raise
up the next generation of well cared for, educated
and loving peace keepers.
- Kimberly Smith,
President
Teenage
Girls Group - Feb 2007
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