Naomi & Derek's Story

Naomi and Derek, Accra, Ghana

Naomi is from the Northern region of Ghana. Like so many girls in the North, her parents could not afford to keep her or send her to school. When she was just 13 years old her parents found her a domestic work place in a house towards the south of the country. The employers agreed that in return for her work, she would be sent to school and would have board and lodging. Naomi set off on the long trip, and arrived at her new home. Sadly, she never saw the inside of the classroom. The master of the house soon started to sexually abuse Naomi and after a while, she fell pregnant. When she told her employers, the man denied all knowledge and she was thrown out of the house. With no money, and the shame of the pregnancy stopping her from going home, she took to the streets of Accra and started to beg in order to get food.

She was found by one of the workers from Street Girls Aid on the streets of Accra, and was offered a place to stay and prepare for the baby. Inside the House of Refuge, Naomi spent time with other young mothers and set about learning basic parental skills. She had her baby safely in a maternity clinic run by Urban Aid and returned to the house of refuge with her new son, Derek.

S'Aid's workers have been in touch with her family and have explained Naomi's situation to them. When Derek is a little bit older they will return them to her home town. Naomi still hopes to return to school. She has learnt essential skills at the centre, which will enable her to earn some money. Naomi would like the man to take some responsibility for her baby. A dream that is unlikely to be ever realised.