A Fresh Start for Uwajeneza

Uwajeneza, a 19-year-old girl from Kariba village in northern Rwanda, faced a difficult situation three years ago. She became pregnant, but her family was unable to support her and cruelly asked her to leave her home. This left Uwajeneza and her child with nowhere to go.

Fortunately, the ADEPE Legal team, an organization dedicated to helping teenage mothers, crossed paths with Uwajeneza. When the team learned about her struggles, they immediately sprang into action to help.

Uwajeneza shared her story with the ADEPE team, explaining that she had no place to live and a child to care for. The team also discovered that the person responsible for her pregnancy was already in prison.

The ADEPE legal team began discussing Uwajeneza’s situation with her family, working tirelessly to help her return home with her baby. Through their persistent efforts, and by collaborating with the prison’s legal team, they were able to achieve a significant breakthrough.

The ADEPE Legal team convinced the father of Uwajeneza’s child, who was in prison, to officially recognize the child in the civil registry. Additionally, they facilitated discussions with the child’s paternal grandparents, persuading them to participate in the child’s education and upbringing.

The grandparents, moved by the situation, agreed to provide financial support to Uwajeneza and her son every month, ensuring the child’s well-being.

With this support system in place, Uwajeneza was able to return to her family, reuniting with her loved ones and providing a stable and nurturing environment for her child. The ADEPE Legal team’s unwavering commitment and the collaboration of various legal entities had transformed Uwajeneza’s life, restoring hope and opportunity.

Uwajeneza’s story is a shining example of the power of legal empowerment. By addressing the legal and social challenges faced by vulnerable teenage mothers, the ADEPE team demonstrated how the law can be a tool for positive change, uplifting individuals and strengthening communities.

Today, Uwajeneza and her son have returned to the embrace of her family, embarking on a new chapter filled with promise and possibility. This success story is a testament to the transformative impact that can be achieved when the legal system works in tandem with compassion and determination to support those in need.