He was on his way home when he got the call. He eagerly answered it, his heart racing. "Hello, Jabulani." "Hello, Doctor. I've decided to accept your offer to sponsor me." He didn't realize that he was tense until he felt himself relax as relief washed over him. "I'm so happy to hear that. When …
Jabulani
She was leaning against the house she lived in with her parents when he drove up. The first time he saw her it was at the hospital when her father went in after he got into an accident at work. Neither he nor her mother spoke much English so she was there to translate. She …
Binta’s Story
When I was 12 years old, my mother handed me over to an agent. I was crammed into a truck and taken from my home in Benin and across the border into Nigeria. I was crying and scared. I didn't know where they were taking me or why my mother just gave me away to …
International Day of the African Child
Today is the Day of the African Child. Since 1991, this day has been celebrated on June 16 to commemorate those killed during the Soweto Uprising in South Africa, and to recognize the courage of the students who marched for their right to an education. This year's theme is ‘access to child-friendly justice’. ‘Access to …
Blinded But Not Defeated
In June 2011, Rumana Monzur's visit to Bangladesh turned into a nightmare when her husband, the father of her child viciously attacked her. He robbed her of her sight and disfigured her face because she wanted to pursue a higher education in Canada. "He has made my world dark. I can't see my daughter," …
Farida’s Story
In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened; he saved me from all my troubles - Psalm 34:6, NKJV I was 13 when my parents married me off to a 36 year old rich Arab man. He was the second man who wanted me to be his wife. The other man was a neighbor …
In Sanaya’s Memory
It was love at first sight for me when I saw her walking towards me. It was a blind date. I don't usually go on blind dates, mind you, but for some inexplicable reason, I went on this one and man, was I glad I did. She had to be the most beautiful girl on …
Pit Toilets: Death Traps?
Many of us have more than one flushing toilets in our homes. We have access to proper sanitation facilities. When we use public washrooms, we can lock the doors of the stalls we use and when we're done, we have running water and soap to wash our hands. Sadly, this is not the case for …
Sex Selection Abortion
Sex selection abortion is the practice of terminating a pregnancy based upon the predicted sex of the infant. The selective abortion of female fetuses is most common in areas where cultural norms value male children over female children, especially in parts of East Asia and South Asia (particularly in countries such as People's Republic of China, India and Pakistan), as well as in the Caucasus, and Western …
Thomas and Tracey
My nephew, Sam and I were on a double date with a mother and her daughter. It has been a long while since I have even thought about dating again. Eight years ago I lost my fiancee, Brenda. She was killed by a drunk driver just weeks before our wedding. It took a long, long …
Notes to Women 