Jessica’s* Story
“My name is Jessica, and I come from Mbinga District, about 650km from Dar es Salaam. I was born in November 1992; I am the third child in a family of seven. I completed my primary education in 2007 and I passed my standard seven examination, but I was not able to continue with my secondary education due to my family being very poor. I decided to move to a nearby town to find for the domestic work and I got a job of taking care of three children in one family at a salary of twenty five thousand shillings (£8.25) per month. I worked as a domestic worker for three months and I faced many challenges. Unfortunately, I was the victim of sexual violence at the hands of my boss. I escaped and went back to my village.
My uncle came home and asked my mother to take me to Dar es Salaam in order to help me to continue with my secondary education. It was in 2009 when my mother agreed and allowed me to go with my uncle to Dar es Salaam. When I arrived at my uncle’s house, I was given a working schedule from morning till evening and when I asked about going to school my aunt told me that I should do the housework first and then I was to go to sell water near a bus stand.
My Uncle did not help me; I continued with my schedule as I was directed by my Aunt even though in my heart I was very sad to see other children going to school. One day when I was at the bus stand selling water at 100 shillings per one pack, I saw a girl child nearby me wearing a school uniform. I called her and asked where she was studying and she told me that she was studying at KIWOHEDE center. She told me that, she was studying entrepreneurship skills, batik making, tailoring, decoration and soap making, and it was completely free. She told me if I wanted to join she can take me to KIWOHEDE and I agreed. When I returned home I told my Uncle and Aunt. The next day, early in 2010, I woke up early in the morning and did all the domestic chores and I asked for bus fare to go KIWOHEDE center.
When I arrived at KIWOHEDE, I met with the Management, they welcomed me very well and I was given self-awareness training, self- confidence training, counseling as well as HIV testing. I joined with my classmates to continue with studies. I continued with tailoring training until KIWOHEDE started a secondary school. I am among the first students who were selected to join secondary studies.
Unfortunately, my mother did not agree with that. In order to study, I had to leave my family and ask for residence at KIWOHEDE Bunju center. I studied at KIWOHEDE for a year and a half. Sponsors supported three girls, including me. They bought us startup kit, paid us rent for one year and they gave us capital for starting businesses that we had chosen for ourselves.
We worked as food vendors for a year. At the end of the year, I was able to pay the rent at the cost of 40,000/= (£13) a month, and purchased some essential items for myself, like a bed, a sofa, a mattress and a cupboard.
Now, I am married with three children. I am grateful to KIWOHEDE, particularly Executive Director Mama Justa Mwaituka and her entire management team for appreciating, supporting and valuing girl children, including me. Thank you for rescuing me from a terrible situation. I am grateful for your work for girls.
