New Zealand holding there first same sex marriages, incredible.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-23747242

Our class of 6-10 year olds were lively, loud and so hungry to learn. At this age they were blissfully unaware of this issues going on around them involving Women at Risk, but you did start to see how it affected them in social situations while in the class room. There were a few that really stood out to us behaviour wise, one of them being Yebseara.

She seemed to be grabby, very loud and possessive with objects such as pencils and pens. If she didn’t like something she would cry and scream, and steal things from the other children. Slowly over the course of the week we started to unravel her story.

Her mother moved to the city when she turned 6 years old, her mother (Yebsearas Grandmother) died when her mother was just 8 years old. She then went to live with her Auntie and Uncle who used to beat her and treated her like there maid. She upped and left to live on the streets at just 10 years old.  I can’t even start to imagine the bravery it took to make that leap into the big wide scary world at just 10 years old.  Not long after she made the choice to run away from the abuse at home, the abuse started while living on the streets, where she became a prostitute.

From a young age she was raped, used by men of all ages and tossed to the side after. She then fell into what usually follows hand in hand when you’re in that position, drugs and alcohol played a big part in her life over the next few years.  She fell pregnant and like many in her situation has no idea who the father is. She continued to use drugs throughout the pregnancy and when she had given birth which is why at ten years old Yebseara is tiny and very thin.

Due to the drug use she doesn’t really remember giving birth or the first year or so of Yebsearas life. When I heard that one line, I crumbled. Knowing that this incredibly strong woman had been through so much and still been able to turn it around with the help of W.A.R. Battling a drug addiction and having a child she didn’t really have a connection with even after a few years of the baby being alive, and giving up her life as a prostitute must have been incredibly hard.

Yebsearas Mother Working At W.A.R.

We began to understand why Yebseara would hit you instead of patting your arm to ask for a pencil, scream and shout while she was just talking to you as this must have been the way she learned to get her mothers attention.  Her mother now works full time for W.A.R making scarfs they sell to raise money for the charity. Despite all this when talking to Yebseara she said that her live was good, and that she lives with her mother and little sister. We were unable to find out if the younger sibling was a result of a relationship or ‘work’.

Yebseara would like to be a pilot when she is older, and loves Ethiopia for the acceptance it brings to everyone. She is worried about sharing with friends and fighting at school, and is aware that her behaviour is different to other children and is trying to change. This tiny sweet little girl has such a big history that she is not even aware of. Watching her in our free play sessions it was lovely just to see her run, jump and skip like any other normal 10 year old. Because of the educational help, love and support Women at Risk have given this gorgeous little girl and her mother, she is able to be a child, run, jump, skip, draw and learn until she is 18 years old.

Decided to start blogging after traveling to some incredible parts of the world and some big changes in my personal life. I have some fantastic stories to share, and great photos too.
Hope you enjoy!