A well-known axiom attributed to Benjamin Franklin is, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” When I tell people about WE International’s ministry to young women and teens already caught up in prostitution, some will ask, “What can be done to prevent young women and girls from being trapped in prostitution?”
Historically, some of WE International’s programs in Uganda are aimed at preventing teens and young women from entering a life on the street. Experience has shown us that without an education many young Ugandan women have limited options aside from teen marriage or prostitution. Through both WE International’s WE Educate program and it’s WE Empower microfinance program, scores of girls from poor families are obtaining a quality education giving them options to support themselves.
Recently, however, the WE International Ugandan team has taken a more direct approach to preventing young women and teens from falling into a life on the streets. This summer the WE Restore team organized a gathering of teens, young women and their families in Masese III, an impoverished neighborhood in Jinja, Uganda.
The goal of the meeting was to build relationships, learn first-hand about the challenges faced by young women and teens in this neighborhood and develop a plan to provide a path for these teens and young women. The visit revealed a wide range of challenges faced by young women and teens due to dire economic circumstances and other social problems.
The WE Restore team outlined a plan to address the wide variety of problems faced by young women and teens in the Masese III neighborhood. To begin with, the team has and will continue to engage with local leaders to better understand the local cultural dynamics, build trust and identify teens and young women at risk.
However, the main thrust of the program is to engage with teens and young women at risk. This means one-on-one counseling and mentorship to address trauma caused by sexual abuse, domestic violence, drug abuse and abandonment. The team will also lead group therapy and community education programs. A key component will be spiritual discipleship on both an individual and community level. Finally, the plan involves practical solutions, including daycare and skills training.
The WE International Uganda team hopes that by intervening early in the lives of at-risk women and teens (i.e., an ounce of prevention), they can alleviate much of the pain and suffering the team has witnessed over the years with the teens and young women who have come to the WE Restore Home.
WE International shows the love of Christ to the most vulnerable women, children and families in Eastern Uganda, including the teens and young women of the Masese III neighborhood. These efforts rely solely on your contributions, and when you donate using the button below, your entire donation will go directly to Uganda to support our efforts there.
