Dear Friend, My name is Shummy and I am a Psychosocial officer supporting girls in Awamu projects.

Girls in the slums are under attack

Life for girls in the slum where I live and work has become very dangerous and tough. Lockdown has caused a huge increase in violence against women and girls. Our office has become a place of refuge for those seeking help and protection.

Girls tell me “I just want to die”.

When I first meet girls they’re traumatised. They often feel shame and fear. Some of that comes from the terrible trauma they have experienced, but the other part is fear of how they will be treated by other people when they find out – the terrible stigma they fac.

But as a psychosocial practitioner, I see first-hand how the right support, counselling and training can help girls recover and take back control of their lives.

I wish you could see how their confidence blossoms over the course of our sessions. It’s beautiful. I only feel sad knowing there are more girls out there who need our support.

I believe that no girls should feel alone because of what they have been through. Do you?

It’s incredible to see how girls start to open up about what they’re going through. Together we explore their feelings, as well as new techniques to deal with the trauma.

One young girl I work with is just 8 years old. She is slowly recovering physically and mentally from a brutal attack by a gang of men. She recently ended her session saying “it’s good to be me!”. It sounds simple, but this statement shows me that there is hope and she is on the road to recovery and healing.

My wish is that every girl has the support they need to recover.

Together we’re working hard to shape a society where girls can be safe and everyone feels accepted. But until we get there, girls who have experienced sexual violence need our support.

Our new ‘Nansamba Safe Haven’ will be a safe house for girls escaping violence. Much more than a roof over girls’ heads, it’s where our specialist staff will provide residents with the building blocks they need to begin a new life, free from fear.

From the 29th November to 6th December any donation made to our Safe Haven appeal on the Big Give will be doubled at no extra cost to you.

Please save the date and choose to give the gift of a life without fear this Christmas.

It’s amazing to see the relief on girls’ faces when they realise they are not alone.

I hope you will support us to make recovery possible for more girls.

My best greetings to you.

Namutebi Sumayiya, Psychosocial Officer