The Story of Mala
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Mala is twenty-six years old. Our outreach team first met her during their weekly visits in a red-light area, where they go door to door introducing themselves and inviting women to visit our center. When they met Mala, she had been drinking heavily and was deeply distressed. The team spoke gently with her and prayed for her. She later shared that, for the first time in a long while, she felt a sense of comfort.
Over time, Mala began visiting our center and slowly opened up about her life. She grew up in poverty and never had the opportunity to attend school. After her father passed away, she lived with her mother and younger brother. Around the age of thirteen, a relative arranged her marriage. Within a year, she gave birth to her first child—a girl. Her husband and in-laws were deeply unhappy that the baby was not a boy, and they began to abuse her both verbally and physically.
When Mala became pregnant again and gave birth to another daughter, the abuse escalated. Eventually, she and her two girls were thrown out of the house.
With nowhere else to go, Mala returned to her mother’s home. Life there was extremely difficult, and the family struggled to survive. During this time, Mala met a woman who befriended her and promised her a good job in a nearby state. Desperate to provide for her children, Mala trusted her.
She left her daughters with her mother, hoping to send money back home.
The promise of a job turned out to be a lie. After arriving at the destination, Mala realized she had been deceived and sold. Trapped and terrified, she found no way to escape. She remained in that place for four years before being transferred to the area where we now work. She has been there for the past six years. Despite everything she has endured, Mala has shown incredible resilience. Our team continued to visit her regularly, offering support and counseling. At first, she struggled to trust—understandably, after so many betrayals—but little by little, she began to open her heart. Today, Mala is actively involved at our center. She attends literacy classes, participates in the tailoring program, and joins in prayer and worship services. She is sharing more of her life with our staff and rebuilding trust step by step. We look forward to the day when we can help Mala leave this place behind and be reunited with her two daughters.
Mala’s story highlights the devastating consequences of child marriage for girls. The region where we work has one of the highest rates of child marriage in the world. An estimated 84% of girls who marry before the age of 18 receive no formal education, limiting their opportunities and independence. Child marriage often leads to early pregnancy, which can result in serious and life-threatening health complications. These young girls are also at greater risk of contracting diseases and experiencing ongoing domestic violence. Once married, a girl is typically expected to leave school and take on the responsibilities of managing a household, caring for children, and serving her extended family.
Additionally, early marriage significantly increases a girl’s vulnerability to exploitation and human trafficking, as her lack of education and support leaves her with few options for protection or escape. Pray for Mala, our staff and all the women and children we serve. Blessings, Vicki |