Hello again, Mum Brenda. We are so pleased to once again be reporting to you on the activities of your centre.
Our work here is progressing well. We have had an exciting and busy two weeks at the centre, and are happy to report that new girls are continuing to access the services we provide.
We are supporting two new girls since our last report. Purity was rescued to the centre on July 4, 2007 after being defiled by a neighbour on July 1, 2007. She had been taken to the hospital by her grandfather, which is where we were made aware of her case. We are disappointed to find out that there due to lack of awareness, the grandfather did not know that the HIV prophylaxis must be given within 72 hours, so she had missed the window period to take them. She is staying at the centre currently in order to receive counselling and medical care and follow up.
Leah is a 5 year old girl, who on a publicity day, was brought to the attention of the Centre. Her case is one of community support as she is safe at home, and the defilement took place at the beginning of the year. We looked at ways to support her besides shelter and our first thought was to provide her with counselling sessions, which she began during that first week under our care. As well, we have discovered that though the family has been pursuing a legal case, they do not have representation, and since the perpetrator is from a rich family and can afford legal services, it puts the girl at a risk for losing the case. The centre has therefore involved a lawyer to help represent her, which the family would otherwise be unable to engage.
Agnes, Fatuma, Mercy, Jennifer, Winfred, Lina and Stella all pass on a big hello. They are all doing well living at the centre. We are now looking at discharges for all the girls, and are beginning to do home studies to ensure that they will go home to a safe and caring environment. We are looking at starting a new process for intakes and discharges as well, and we are hoping to see a better flow of girls through this centre.
Our vocational girls are finishing up their second semester at the end of the month and are doing so well. They all have been working hard to learn all that they need to for their exams in November, and the teachers are pleased with their progress. We are hoping to take on production for the next uniform distribution for Ripples International, and pay the girls for the sweaters they produce, which will allow the girls to have money upon graduation to start up their own business.
The After Care girls were distributed your package, and they were so very happy. They all crowded around on another just to see the different pictures, and all could not wait to bring them home to show them off!! The girls come again on July 21, 2007, and we are always so happy and excited to see them come back and ensure they are still safe.
The girls all pass on their love. They miss their Mum, and can’t wait to see you again! We have no doubt that you will be kept safe under God’s protection until the next time we see you, which is really not all that far away!!
MERCY CHIDI
