TWO LIVES NOW COMPLICATED

Seventeen year old Juliana sits in a pensive mood in front of a wooden structure which serves as a kitchen for her mother in-law.  She is still grieving over the death of her six month old baby girl who had died two days earlier. “She had a temperature in the evening so I took her to a man who said her rib had shifted.”  Juliana said “He then applied some medication and massaged her rib. I woke up at dawn and my baby was dead.”

Juliana didn’t have a lot of choices growing up. She is one of the many siblings her father refused to take care of. The responsibility was then laid at the door step of her mother who is jobless.
“Because my father didn’t take care of me I didn’t know what to do whether I went to school or not I didn’t have anybody to give me anything.” She said
Now she lives with her boyfriend Abdul Razak who is only twenty years old and unemployed. Juliana’s situation may be similar to that of many girls in rural areas across the country who are faced with many challenges as they grow up into adolescents. Many of such adolescents at very tender ages are forced to survive in the midst abject poverty.
In Juliana’s case, she turned to Abdul Razak who gave her some financial support. But as Razak claims he couldn’t continue to support Juliana without sleeping with her. “She is my girlfriend, somebody you give money to, you cannot just watch her spend all your money. Just that we didn’t anticipate pregnancy anytime soon” Abdul Razak and Juliana though sexually active had no or little knowledge about how to protect themselves not just from pregnancy but also from sexually transmitted diseases.
Even though their first baby has died, the two do not plan to abstain from sex especially now that they live together. Juliana has no clue about the options available for protection.  Abdul Razak on the other hand didn’t use condoms the first time because his friends told him “condoms leak” and so it is better to have sex without any protection.
The result of parental neglect and the decision by Abdul Razak has cost both him (Abdul Razak) and Juliana the chance of an education and a better life as they both continue to wallow in poverty and keep wondering what next to do with their lives.

Adolescence is a whole new stage in our lives. It is a time the body undergoes various changes and so many decisions need to be made. However, there is always a choice better than what may seem obvious depending on your circumstance. That is why it is important to do away with shyness and ask all the questions you habour. It is important to know where and who to direct these questions to. Friends may seem like a good option because they are your mates and may understand you better, but they may not have the best of advice to offer. It is important to talk to an adult. It can be a teacher, parent, or a health worker. Remember it is important that you stay in school no matter what. Are you a sexually active Adolescent?

Talk to a trained service provider and counsellor. Call or WhatsApp 020 580 2800
or Visit an Adolescent friendly corner near you!