Idah, 14 years old is the first girl we ever met while out moving through the compounds on a Saturday back in July 2022. We found her aunt selling vegetables and begin to talk about life and how things were going.
Idah’s mother died when she was young and her father abandoned her. To this day has nothing to do with her nor is the family sure of his location. They just know he remarried and has not seen Idah since she was little.
Idah was sent to Mufulira a few years back to live with an aunt who was to put her in school. The aunt has never been able to afford that, nor did it appear that she was putting much effort into the process.
Idah went missing last November as she was set to enter the house. The aunt sent her away and we have since found out that she was being used by the extended family as a maid. More than likely there was a small amount of money or favor given to the aunt for Idah to be used in this fashion.
Stories like Idah’s are all too common in Zambia, and this is why our team pushed so hard to get Idah and bring her into the home.
Idah is now safe and is starting her grade 1 year.
