Neema Abel is a 16-year-old girl living with her parents and her child in Nyanshana, Nyamagana District. She is one of the girls who have benefited from the Adolescent Gate Program, which has been implemented since 2021 to empower girls in the area.
Abella James dropped out of school due to early pregnancy, which in one way or another limited her dream of becoming a doctor. During her pregnancy, she was rejected and seen as a useless person within the family, and she was blamed for not prioritizing her education. Neema Biteko was identified during our first assessment in Nyanshana and later joined girls’ activities such as educational sessions. Through these sessions, she gained new knowledge in parenting, small business skills, and built self-confidence through self-esteem training.
Initially, Neema Biteko depended entirely on her parents for survival. However, after joining the girls’ group formed by the Adolescent Gate Program, she managed to start her own small business selling vegetables and fruits in Nyanshana. Through this business, Neema Biteko has been able to generate income, which has helped her solve some of her challenges and support her child with basic needs.
“Through this business, I can now manage myself without depending on anyone as I did before. I can buy basic needs using the profit I generate from my business and also support my family in a small way. Adolescent Gate has given me a new start, and being part of this project has made my life meaningful again. I wish other girls would join the project because it helps them fix their broken lives and start afresh.”
Recently, Neema Biteko started attending a sewing program. According to her, she wants to engage in at least two or three income-generating activities to enable her to earn enough money to support her baby and assist her family.
Selling vegetables and fruits has helped Neema Biteko improve her living standards, and she has managed to rent a single room where she now lives with her baby.
“I am Neema Biteko’s mother, and I am very thankful for the efforts made by your organization in supporting girls like my daughter. Your work has been a new light to many girls here in Nyanshana. Supporting girls is part of preparing future mothers. I believe one day they will face challenges like the ones I am going through now, but if they are well equipped, it will be easier for them to manage. When Neema became pregnant, her life became very difficult. As a family, we struggled to support her, and at times all we could do was ask her to stay at home and wait to give birth. I am sure this caused her a lot of pain. Today, I am very happy to see how your organization has helped her rebuild her life.”