Restoring Identity
The most marginalized and hurting people in Uganda are often young girls and women. At Peal Village, we're committed to advocating for young women who've fallen victim to unspeakable, emotional, and sexual injustice. Unfortunately, with everyone having to shelter in place, the pandemic has increased this injustice in many ways.
The district police contacted us regarding several pregnant young girls defiled and raped before and during the Coronavirus lockdown. We've taken these young women in, including their siblings, so that they weren't separated. At Pearl Village, we've provided a safe, nurturing, and loving home, healthy meals, medical care, and psychological wellness. Additionally, these young women will be learning new life and trade skills, equipping them to provide care for themselves and their babies' futures.
According to UNICEF, it is estimated that the number of young girls who marry before the age of 18 exceeds 46%.In Uganda, consequences are grave, especially for very young girls. Only one birth in five is officially recorded - and more often than not, girls don't have birth certificates or identification. This means when a young girl is sold into marriage or raped before the age of 18 - our organization and the police cannot bring charges against the abuser.
Project Orphans believes every child and girl should have an identity. Before the end of the year, Project Orphans will be cover the documentation and processing fees to 100+ girls in our community - from the ages 11 - 16, helping them receive their birth certificate and national identification card! Identification for the girls in our community allows us to protect the daughters' dignity and rights in our community and show perpetrators that injustice is not accepted here.
"I'm grateful to Project Orphans," says Racheal, a new Pearl on campus. "I am really happy for the counseling and support to raise my babies in a safe place. I never dreamed this miracle could happen to me - but Project Orphans is the family I needed."