Monday 13 October 2008

Sauda's story


"Praise to the living God. Am Sauda, aged 20, a mother blessed with one lovely daughter named Tracy.
I was born in a poor family. I grew up with my father and step-mother. I was alone, I didn't have a brother or a sister. My step-mother had 6 other children and I was badly mistreated. I only made three years of school. So I escaped to my aunt's house and stayed there for three years. She also mistreated me. She forced me to love men so I could buy myself soap, pants etc."

"From there someone persuaded me to come to Kampala to work as a housegirl. I was 10 years old. I found work with a lady who had 5 children. She sold bananas and sweet potatoes to make a living. One day, the neighbour asked my boss if I could work at their place for a day? She said OK. The neighbour - a woman - escorted me upstairs to the bedroom and left me alone. When she left the room, a man came from behind the door. He turned out the light. I started to shout but no body would help me. I cried and cried but nobody would help me. The man raped me, I was 13 years old."

"I went back to our house but I was so weak. I slept the whole day. I told my boss I was sick. After some time I still felt weak, I didn't see my monthly period for three months. My boss took me to the doctor who told me I was pregnant. My boss asked me about the man, but I feared to tell her so she chased me away and told me to go back to my parents. But my parents had already rejected me."

"I went to a friend who took me to her grandmother. The old woman gave me local herbs for drinking and bathing for abortion. I even took some tablets. But the abortion refused. After some months I gave birth in that house because I had no money for the hospital. I stayed in that situation for three months. Then the old lady died and I was chased off that plot. I went back to my friend's place. The Lord blessed me and I got work washing and cleaning, for a Kenyan, then an Indian, then Beatrice [a Medair colleague]."

"After two years, I was told to leave as there was no money to pay, Beatrice was looking after too many relatives. I started to suffer alot with my daughter. So one evening as I was going to the market I met a born-again Christian, preaching. At that time I was a Muslim. He told me that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life, and to come to him, all who are carrying heavy loads and I will give you rest. I was heavy loaded in my life, and no-one can help me, only Jesus. So when they called people, I ran freely and confessed salvation without anybody forcing me. From that day I started going to church and they prayed for me. After this time I met Liz."

"Before I had nothing to eat with my daughter, she was not being schooled and we could not pay rent. But I praise God for his many miracles, now we have everything that was lacking. I thank him so much."




7 comments:

Mickle in NZ said...

Dear Sauda

Thank you for letting Gandalady share your life story with us . it is indeed very harrowing and worrying. I am so relieved that you have somewhere good to live and to work, that Tracey is able to go to school.

There are peolpe like me, on the otherside of the world that are touched and very humbled by your life story so fay. I am so very happy that life has improved for you. With genuine love and care, Michelle in New Zeland.

(I guess Tracey, then Emma, Gloria and Katherine help to keep you laughing and smiling - at home and at work)

Mickle in NZ said...

Fay should read far.
Special huggles, dear Gandalady, for helping us learn about dear Sauda. xxxxxx

Marie said...

This is astonishing. Thank you Sauda and Lizzie.

hexe said...

Thank you as this helps put life in perspective doesn't it. I wish you much joy and peace Sauda.

Carlo said...

Unfortunately, this story is not unique. There are numerous such stories out there and we never get to know about them. Some people die a miserable death, or end up losing their minds. However, such a story of redemption is encouraging and uplifting to the soul. Thank you Sauda for sharing. From one Ugandan to another.

Jack'sMom said...

Yes, sadly this story is familiar. I'm glad to hear that Sauda has found a stable income to give her some safety from exploitation. I find it depressing that so many other people don't. :o( S.

Rebecca said...

It is easy to become desensitised to the statistics and the all-too-common bad news from Africa. Thanks for reminding us of the person behind the numbers and that happy endings are possible.