International Day Of The Girl Child.What does this day mean to you?
by AchiengNas | October 11, 2012 at 9:20 AM
Jas TodayA girl, what about?
A female child.
A person's daughter, especially a young one.
I know so many girls.
I know so many girls who have been raped by men, as old as their older brothers, their father’s age mates and those who are fit to be their grandfathers.(I know men are reading this).
I know so many girls who have been married off for bride price by the age of 10.
I know so many girls who are mothers today, the youngest mother I saw recently is 12, married off and defiled. A mother, yet without breasts.
I know so many girls discriminated.
I know so many girls denied LOVE from their parents.
I know so many girls denied Education.
I know so many girls who have lost their parents and relatives to HIV and they are alone to themselves.
I know so many girls crying out for help, wanting to be educated but there is just no one to help them.
AND
I know of a girl who lost her father and siblings to HIV, she was so lucky to be born HIV negative by HIV positive parents (the mother living positive with HIV).
This girl is Jas, we call her. She is 8 years old.
Jas is lucky she can read and write. Others have died, and others simply cannot afford.
I adopted Jas when she was 4 (she is one of my 16 nieces and nephews I take care of, who lost their parents to HIV).
Jas has a friend called Ema from California, USA.
Jas and Ema are exchanging videos and letters, these have helped her learn to read and write as well as build her self confidence. ( Sample Videos; From Jas to Ema: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyIeeq-xHf0&feature=youtu.be and From Ema to Jas: http://youtu.be/yymQI3HDIhw)
“I can read and write.”she proudly says.
"I want to become a pilot when I grow up."she said with a big smile.
This is Jas TODAY (Picture) and years back.
You can make a difference in the life of a girl NOMATTER where you are.
Check out how: https://www.facebook.com/RGCMUganda
Happy International Day Of The Girl Child!
Jas in 2011
L-R_Jas and Helen in 2009
4 months old Jas
Jas's father before he died
Comments
Powerful
Wow ! Fantastic to read about Jas's recovery and development. Her smile touches my heart.
Among the many adversities that come our way, there is always a hope of better future for someone, somewhere.
We should not let this hope go.
I pray that just like Jas, many more girls would get the opportunity to live and learn.
Thank you for sharing.
Much love,
Mukut Ray