– Lift your head up high. You can achieve what you want

Children & Youth

Sep 18

Who: SOS-barnebyer

What: Story about Rose

When Rose was 16 years old, she dropped out of school after becoming pregnant. Shortly after birth, she lost her child.

– When I got pregnant, I was married. But after the child passed away, it was hard to go back to school, says now 18 years old Rose from Ngabu, Malawi.

She left her husband after they lost their child. Rose was supposed to start secondary school but couldn’t afford it.

Encouraged by a mother group and supportive friends

A mother group supported by SOS Children’s Villages and the Grieg Foundation reached out to Rose to ensure she returned to school. They offered to cover her school fees and an apartment nearby the school.

– When I then got enrolled in secondary school, my mother encouraged me to do it. But it was hard for me to go back. Deep down I wanted to, but I was afraid that the other students would laugh at me. That was holding me back.

After being encouraged by the mother group and supportive friends, she decided to return to school. She wanted to prove those who were laughing at her wrong.

– Despite people shaming and discouraging me, I went ahead and wrote the exams, because I wanted to prove them wrong. And I did.

Future goals

Rose’s dream is to continue her education. She wants to go to college and become a nutritionist.

– I want to pursue my goals and be independent. As a nutritionist, I can help women in my community give their children the right nutrition.

Even though some of her peers continue to ridicule her at school, Rose now has new, supportive friends who encourage her to follow her dream. Another young mother student who has also been helped by the mother group keeps her motivated and reminds her to be strong.

For Rose, it’s also important for her to be a role model for her younger sisters.

– When a girl child is educated, she acts like a role model, both in her family and community. I encourage my sisters to focus on their education.

A clear message to other girls

The grief of losing a child, in addition to the constant worry about what her peers would think of her, almost made Rose not return to school. Today, she’s glad she did.

– It was very hard to move on and it’s difficult for people to understand what you’ve been through. But for other girls who have experienced the same as me, I would like to say; Move on and lift your head up high. You can achieve what you want.