“It was only when I started going to Gan that I understood it’s not like that by other
kids. Their fathers drive them to Gan and drop them off with smiles and kisses. From
my father, all I knew was anger and threats. The first time I came to school with signs
of abuse, I was very ashamed. I didn’t want to go out for recess. With time, I learned
to cover up the marks with made-up stories.
From fourth grade, I started declining in my schoolwork. I had the worst grades in the
class. I looked for a place where people would value me and I’d be significant. I
became friendly with the neighborhood street youths. The school principal spoke with
me, but all efforts to keep me in school failed. In ninth grade, I was already on the
street all the time. Together with the “gang,” I’d circulate, bored and looking for
occupation. At age 16, my best friend started working as a messenger for a drug
dealer. A short while later, I got an offer to work in even more dubious places….
I knew that I really didn’t want to “work.” I knew there was no chance I’d sell my body.
But the “agent” who found me put on the pressure and started sending me threats
every few days.
Then, one day, by chance, I met a childhood friend. She got me to talk about my
situation. I cried. She immediately contacted her older sister. It turned out that her
sister was a counselor in the amazing organization, “Being There for Them.” Within
an hour, a car from the organization picked me up from the street and brought me
straight to their Center. In one moment, I got what I hadn’t had all my life: a warm,
loving home, support, and guidance.
At “Being There for Them,” I underwent the rehabilitation I needed to set off on a
normal life. Half a year ago, I got a vocational certificate. Today I’m 21 years old,
working and supporting myself. I’ll never forget who were the ones who brought me
to where I am today and who helped transform me within a few beautiful years from a
forsaken street urchin to a happy, fulfilled young woman.
Today, I ask of you just one thing:
To identify with “Being There for Them.”
