"Jamila"

Jamila loves looking after the children and babies at the safe house. Although she does not have her own children, she knows just how to comfort every baby at just 20 years old.

Jamila started her story when she was living at her grandmother’s house. While her mother was nearby, she was not well enough to care for Jamila. Her grandmother went to work one day, and Jamila’s uncle stopped by the house. He asked for some tea and bread, and Jamila went to the store to buy these things as they did not have them at home. She came back and put the tea on. She then went to wash a knife to slice the bread when suddenly, her uncle pulled her into her bedroom and tied her eyes with a scarf. He told her to keep quiet, or he would cut her with a knife. Jamila had no choice but to stay quiet while he raped her, terrified for her life. Afterward, he swiftly left the house and left Jamila there. When her grandmother came back from work, Jamila explained what had happened, and they went to the police to report the crime.

By this time, her uncle had already fled, and to this day, no one has seen him. She was then taken to the hospital for a check-up and was treated for STIs. As Jamila recounted the story, she said that he had lesions around his genitals, and she needed to be treated accordingly. A community health worker at the hospital reported the case to the safe house, and she was brought there. It was not safe for Jamila in her town, as her mother also lived close to her grandmother. The rest of her family believed that this would be the best decision, as there was no telling if her uncle would come back and harm her once again. If her uncle wanted to target and abuse her again, she couldn’t stay where she was previously. While this is an unfortunate reality to face, Jamila has found solace and comfort while living in the shelter.

Jamila has now been at the safe house for a year. It has helped her discover her love for children and babysitting. She hopes to open a daycare when she leaves the shelter to always have children around her. She says that finding this passion has helped her heal immensely, which is why she hopes to be able to keep doing it when she leaves. Jamila wishes that her uncle was caught and put in jail, as she does not feel safe knowing that he may still be alive. When asked what her main desire for the future was besides having children around, Jamila says that all she wishes for is peace and a world where she can live freely.