A Price Too High to Pay

 I would like to share an all-too-familiar story about schoolgirls living in ultra-poor communities in developing countries. As heartbreaking and difficult as this may be to read, it is a real story that continues to repeat itself over and over again in the lives of young ladies who are created in the image of God … and who are loved dearly by Him, just like we are.

I have modified different aspects of this story for the sake of these young ladies.

“May our hearts break for the things that break the heart of God.”

Costly consequences

Imagine having to face your teacher once again without that pencil, pen, notebook or a stick of chalk for the blackboard. You’ve been warned of the consequences multiple times. You’ve been spanked, lectured and switched in front of the other pupils for this; still, this need is never mentioned at home.

Why? Because your parents have reminded you of these three rules more times than you care to remember: 1) You come from a poor family, 2) the only way out is through your education and 3), your teachers are always right no matter what they say or do. So of course, these harsh punishments are your personal secret and burden to bear.

You know better than to ask your mom, grandmother or another adult in the family for the money to purchase any one of these items. Your entire family has gone to bed hungry several nights in a row. Besides, you don’t need another lecture on how inconsiderate and selfish you are to even consider such a question.

You are eventually expelled from school for not having supplies; still, no word about this at home. Every morning, you act like all is well and off “to school” you go. As much as you would like to be in class with your teacher and classmates, you find a quiet place to cry since you are not permitted to peer through the windows or even stand around the schoolyard.

A young man about the same age as your brother sees you and asks why you are so sad. You tell him everything. You tell him why you were expelled from school and how hungry you are. He seems to care because he says he will purchase everything you need to go back to school plus some food for a simple favor.

What would you do?

You would do anything for the humiliation to stop at school, wouldn't you? If you have gone to bed hungry for days on end, wouldn’t you do anything for a plate of food? Since your way out of this poverty is through education, wouldn’t you do anything for a pen, a pencil, a stick of chalk or even a notebook?

After the favor, he promises to be right back with everything you need … never to be seen again. Weeks later, you discover you are now pregnant. You try to hide it for as long as you can, dreading the day your parents find out because you already know you will be disowned. This is one of the rules in your home as well as the culture in your community. 

You are 13 years old. Where do you go? Who do you turn to?

* * *

My brothers and sisters in Christ, this is the tip of the iceberg of what many young ladies, who are babies themselves, are experiencing.

At Julie’s Heart Cry, we believe girls like this 13-year-old could have been protected from sexual predators in their community.

How? By partnering with native pastors who have a biblical conviction for evangelism and discipleship, and Christian schools like the Good Samaritan whose founder is a native pastor in one of the poorest communities in East Africa. Because he is embedded in his community, he can identify the poorest families, including vulnerable children from refugee camps, as well. 

Our ministry requires these pastors to have a biblical understanding to serve the poor, even though they may not be able to give tithes and offerings; they must have a good relationship with fellow pastors in their community; and they must be willing to apply Scripture when cultural beliefs and practices are not aligned with the Word of God. 

To learn more about how JHC is involved in providing sustainable solutions for vulnerable young ladies, as well as job skills training and more for mom-headed households, click on the Our Ministries tab at the top of the page and select “Self-Sustainability” in the drop-down menu.