Sharifa’s Story

Sharifa was living with her mother, who is HIV positive and very ill. Sharifa’s father died of AIDS when she was eight months old. According to the Local Chariperson of the village she lived in, at the time Sharifa joined the PFP family, her mother did not have a job, but she received money from men who “visited her”. Since her mother had not been able to find employment to care for her family, she turned to selling her body for money and taught her eldest daughter to do the same. The mother and three children all lived in a one room mud hut, and the community was concerned for the well being of Sharifa and her sisters because of the men that visit the house, and because of the lack of care they received at home. 

The responsibility of caring for the household and children had fallen in the hands of Sharifa and her eldest sister, since the mother was unable and often unwilling to do so herself. Unfortunately, the family did not have enough money to meet even their most basic needs and the children were not able to attend school for lack of school fees. They often went without food and other basics as well. In 2015, Sharifa joined the PFP family and is now safe and happy with her sister, Sanyu. She enjoys studying at boarding school and loves playing games with her Peace for Paul sisters. PFP nurtures the reltionship Sharifa has with her mother and during school holidays she enjoys visits from her mom in a safe and controlled environment. Sharifa is looking toward her future with hope and happiness!