By J. Omiro
In June 2015, I found out I was expecting my daughter, Hawi (which means "Blessing"). When I shared the news with her father, he told me to abort the baby, saying he wasn’t ready to take on the responsibility. But I refused.
In February 2016, I gave birth to Hawi. At the time, I was overwhelmed with stress because my job contract had just ended, and Hawi’s father wanted nothing to do with us. Left with no other option, I decided to stay with a relative. However, when Hawi was just six weeks old, that relative told me she could no longer accommodate us.
Feeling utterly hopeless, I went to Rongo Catholic Church to ask if they could offer me a job. With baby Hawi strapped to my back, I met a Sacramentine Sister from Bergamo. I shared my story with her, and she listened with kindness and compassion. She offered me a place to stay and food to eat, and even reached out to her aunt, Martha Maende, who welcomed me and my baby into her home.
Martha gave me a job and, more importantly, she counseled me. She encouraged me to embrace my baby Hawi, reminding me that she was a blessing in my life. Thanks to her support, I found strength and hope. Today, Hawi is 8 years old, healthy, strong, and very clever. She is now in grade 3 and brings so much joy to my life.
To every woman out there: never choose abortion. God is merciful and will always send help in your darkest moments. I am deeply grateful to Sister Maureen Ogundeph, the Community Manager of the World Women’s Observatory in Africa, and to Martha, who became like a mother to me. They helped me when I had nowhere to turn, and they gave me the courage to save and raise my baby.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
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