A 16-year-old woman and her infant were accepted as boarders at Kworo High School, northern Uganda in a rare occurrence.
Juliet Katusiime, the student, and her infant, who is one year old, are both admitted to the Nwoya District school for the third term curriculum.
After being abandoned by her mother, Katusiime claims that she suffered abuse at the home of her maternal grandmother.
Abandoned With Her Infant
The student was reportedly sexually assaulted and ended up eloping with one of the men there after believing one of his falsehoods.
She claims that when she fell pregnant, the boyfriend denied any involvement, leaving her without any financial or moral assistance.
Luckily, some family members supported throughout her pregnancy journey.
Over 15 adolescent moms are permitted to attend classes at the school while caring for their children, according to the administration.
The newborns are cared for while their mothers are in class, and these young mothers have separate cubicles where they sleep.
16-year-old student dreams big
Katusiime is glad that she was permitted to attend a boarding school while also caring for her infant because she has hopes of becoming a nurse.
She receives a babysitter from the school administration.
Katusiime, however, faces difficulties paying for school fees because her father is unable to support her, the baby, and her sister, who is enrolled at the same school.
According to the Nwoya district education officer, the district supported the idea of the school and is cooperating with them because they have been very helpful.
Statistics from UNICEF, Uganda
A study conducted by United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in Uganda, revealed that 25 per cent of Ugandan teenagers become pregnant by the age of 19.
“Close to half are married before their 18th birthday and continue having babies into their mid-40s,” the report added.
It is unfortunate that most of the teenage girls experience complications during child birth or abortions due to lack of awareness and support.
“Uganda has one of the world’s highest maternal mortality rates, with 18 mothers dying every day in pregnancy or during and after childbirth.”
