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Tsitsi Tasaranarwo
Herald Correspondent
Teenage girls falling pregnant frequently face many problems; while some families will support the child, but not approving of the pregnancy, others do not and sometimes there might not be close family so desperate girls need help.
In Chitungwiza one woman is helping.
Says a 14-year-old is now a teen mother who must take care of herself and fend for her child: “I am 14 years old. I used to stay in Mutoko with my parents. My parents separated and I then stayed with my aunt for three months. When I was staying with my aunt I was raped by her boyfriend.
“I later dated a boy who was 18 years old. I became pregnant when I was 13 years old. Social Welfare enabled me to live with Mrs Zimunya at the Place of Safety foster home on 3 December last year.
I gave birth at Chitungwiza Central Hospital three weeks ago. My educational level is grade seven.”
Eneseia Zimunya owns the Place of Safety foster home which is located in Unit H Chitungwiza.
“I grew up in a poor background. The hardships faced by these teenagers as most of them don’t have a place to stay is what drove me to become a well-wisher. I started taking care of these children in 2019.
“Most of these children come from broken families, or their mothers have died. Some end up staying with step parents and others misbehave.
“The girls which I take care of are aged 12- 17 years. In 2019 I have taken care of 40 girls. Currently I have five. Most of these girls leave after giving birth, some are taken by their relatives.
“The challenge which I face is not having enough food to feed them. The girls come to the foster home weak as they aren’t able to take care of themselves because of the pregnancy.
“Water is a problem which we face in Chitungwiza. We fetch water at a borehole which is 1km away from our home.”
She is grateful to the Kukosha organisation for paying school fees and buying groceries. Social Welfare also assists her, but they are not able to pay school fees to non-government schools.
WHO states that early pregnancies cause higher risk of eclampsia, puerperal endometritis and systemic infections than women aged 20-24 years and babies face risk of low birth weight, preterm birth and severe neonatal condition.
She is seeking help from well-wishers and there is no donation which is too big or small. Those who are willing to help can contact her on 0772829797.
Online Reporter