Help bring an abused married child back to safety
Donation protected
My dear friends and family, I never thought I would need to make a request for funding of any kind, but unforeseen circumstances have arisen and I am obliged to seek your generosity.
A 14 year old child I know has been forced into a child marriage against her mother's will, to a middle aged man who already has a wife. I am desperate to safeguard her welfare; therefore I am urgently applying to undertake guardianship of her which her mother has already given consent to.
As you can see in the photograph, her body has scarcely begun to develop whilst carrying a frail, child-like frame. She has never celebrated a birthday and her wedding day was the first time she had been the centre of attention. As an innocent soul with no education, she had no idea what was expected of her as a married child.
For 6 months she survived rape, physical and emotional abuse and extreme restrictions from her ‘husband’. She also was mentally abused by her father, who threatened her on a regular basis to stay in the marriage, to ensure his family ‘honour’.
She came to me in despair about her situation through whatsApp voice notes which she recorded in secret. Her statements were heartbreaking.
I immediately contacted the Ivorian Child Protection Minister, where they contacted her. When questioned about her circumstances, on the phone, she stated that all was well; therefore Child Protection Services were unable to assist her. It transpired the ‘husband’ was next to her and was unable to tell the truth.
With the help of a cousin and a friend of mine, they managed to locate her. They contacted the Charity Save the Children Ivory Coast who took the girl into hospital for post-rape treatment and eventual surgery for the physical abuse her frail body had endured. She is now under the supervision of Social Services, which are only able to ensure her primary well-being and are keeping her on a temporary basis.
The tribe this little girl comes from will use their cultural traditions which require the family to avenge her ‘disloyalty’ sooner or later. Therefore, she will remain in great danger unless she has the safety of my guardianship to enable her to live with me in England.
The ‘husband’ and father have gone into hiding from the police, to avoid punishment of their illegal act
To prevent her facing a life of abuse, It is essential to act as a matter of urgency before the country’s presidential election at end October.
This is where I need your contributions to cover the costs of rescuing her from a life of misery.
The medical costs have been generously covered by Save The Children Charity in Ivory Cost.
I have also kindly received free legal advice for the process to follow.
The total costs required to rescue her are £6,731.00 this includes
Abidjan court and administration fees, UK visa fees and all necessary flights for myself and the child.
Please donate whatever you can to help this child; any amount will go a long way towards ensuring her safety.
Thank you
A 14 year old child I know has been forced into a child marriage against her mother's will, to a middle aged man who already has a wife. I am desperate to safeguard her welfare; therefore I am urgently applying to undertake guardianship of her which her mother has already given consent to.
As you can see in the photograph, her body has scarcely begun to develop whilst carrying a frail, child-like frame. She has never celebrated a birthday and her wedding day was the first time she had been the centre of attention. As an innocent soul with no education, she had no idea what was expected of her as a married child.
For 6 months she survived rape, physical and emotional abuse and extreme restrictions from her ‘husband’. She also was mentally abused by her father, who threatened her on a regular basis to stay in the marriage, to ensure his family ‘honour’.
She came to me in despair about her situation through whatsApp voice notes which she recorded in secret. Her statements were heartbreaking.
I immediately contacted the Ivorian Child Protection Minister, where they contacted her. When questioned about her circumstances, on the phone, she stated that all was well; therefore Child Protection Services were unable to assist her. It transpired the ‘husband’ was next to her and was unable to tell the truth.
With the help of a cousin and a friend of mine, they managed to locate her. They contacted the Charity Save the Children Ivory Coast who took the girl into hospital for post-rape treatment and eventual surgery for the physical abuse her frail body had endured. She is now under the supervision of Social Services, which are only able to ensure her primary well-being and are keeping her on a temporary basis.
The tribe this little girl comes from will use their cultural traditions which require the family to avenge her ‘disloyalty’ sooner or later. Therefore, she will remain in great danger unless she has the safety of my guardianship to enable her to live with me in England.
The ‘husband’ and father have gone into hiding from the police, to avoid punishment of their illegal act
To prevent her facing a life of abuse, It is essential to act as a matter of urgency before the country’s presidential election at end October.
This is where I need your contributions to cover the costs of rescuing her from a life of misery.
The medical costs have been generously covered by Save The Children Charity in Ivory Cost.
I have also kindly received free legal advice for the process to follow.
The total costs required to rescue her are £6,731.00 this includes
Abidjan court and administration fees, UK visa fees and all necessary flights for myself and the child.
Please donate whatever you can to help this child; any amount will go a long way towards ensuring her safety.
Thank you
Organizer
Aissa Toure
Organizer