Two new additions to the Casa Alianza family

In my last entry I wrote about the somewhat bittersweet nature of spending my second Christmas here with the kids at Casa Alianza, the enjoyment of being with them, but at the same time, the difficulties for the kids with no families or safe places to go during this time.

This Christmas, however, something a bit special happened.  Two of the girls living at our protection center for teenage mothers, gave birth.   The first happened on Christmas Eve when Sofia (as always I am changing names) gave birth to  a baby boy.   Three days later, on December 27, Helena also gave birth to a boy.  

Both of these girls are 16 years old, and have been the victims of various abuses including rape, sexual exploitation for commercial purposes and violence and sexual abuse by members of their own family.  They have suffered unimaginably, but at the same time, they have shown remarkable strength and resilience over the last few months. 

I truly hope that the new life bought into our community will have the chance to grow and develop in a healthy and sustainable way, and never have to face the same difficulties that their mothers have gone through.   This, therefore, is a short but happy entry.  Sadly some less happy things have happened here during the Christmas period as well, which will feature on here shortly.

But for now, I will leave it at that.   Through all of the opportunities Casa Alianza hopes to provide to these two girls and their children, providing education, support, activities, unconditional love and absolute respect, family reintegration etc, will be able to ensure that these two newly born youngsters are able to get the healthy and happy childhood that every child deserves.

A very happy new year to you all.