Aminata

 

Gang rape victim

“She was just bleeding in front of me,” said Mohammed, a staff member of our local partner Pikin to Pikin (which means Child to Child in Krio). Aminata, only 14 years old, had just been gang raped by four men.

Aminata and her aunt came to Kailahun town from their remote village to find someone from Pikin to Pikin to take them to the local hospital so that she could receive medical attention.

“Pikin to Pikin is a household name in this region, thanks to the radio programmes. So people come to us for help” said Mohamed. “The colourful cloth wrapped around Aminata was covered in blood; her face was badly swollen from being punched.

“I immediately took her to hospital. Sadly she died 48 hours later.”

Mohamed is understandably devastated by these recent events. Despite this he feels that the project is making a real difference. “The radio programmes are helping to raise awareness amongst parents and children about the how children can stay safe. We are slowly seeing changes as people begin to understand the risks. But much more has to be done….too many of our children are being raped.”

Your donation could help us reach more teenage girls with our radio project  so that they can understand the risks of sexual violence and what they can do to keep themselves and each other safe.

We’re still listening, will you? Learn more about our appeal and watch a short film here.

To help us support more children like Aminata, donate to our appeal.

 




 

Photo credit: David Walker, ODI.