Hannah and Eurina grew up in a rural community in the Upper East Region where hunger and poverty were part of daily life. Their parents, mostly without work, often travelled to the cities to look for income and could not always care for them.
At 15, both girls became pregnant while in junior high school. The stigma attached to teenage pregnancy forced them to leave school during their pregnancies and after their babies were born.
Through NABOCADO’s Food Security Project, the community formed a Community Child Protection Committee, which was trained and supported to deal with child welfare and protection. The committee identified Hannah and Eurina and, after weeks of counselling and encouragement, helped them return to the classroom to complete junior high school. It also brought parents, teachers and pupils together to talk about children’s rights and how to protect children from sexual abuse and other forms of violence.
Both girls have since been admitted to a community senior high school, where they are pursuing their dreams: Hannah wants to become a nurse, and Eurina an actress.
“I am truly excited that I returned to school with the encouragement of the committee. If I had stayed at home to marry or take care of my child, my aspirations would have been shattered.”
Part of the Food Security Project, funded by Kindermissionswerk ‘Die Sternsinger’, Germany.
To protect their privacy, we use only their first names and do not show their photos.
Story and photos: Moses Apana Apobona, NABOCADO Media & Communications.