Sierra Leone, a country in West Africa, faces several challenges. You may have heard of a few of these challenges, like the aftermath of the horrific Ebola epidemic. Maybe you have heard about the children soldiers who wield guns bigger than themselves. But there is another epidemic facing Sierra Leone—the rapid increase in the number of teenage girls who are pregnant and unwed.  
 

An unmarried mother-to-be may find herself trapped in a hopeless situation. She may become a social outcast and even face rejection from her own family. She may be put out of her home and forced to live on the street.
 

Can a young woman, with no job skills and no place to live, depend on the kindness of strangers? Hopefully she will be fortunate enough to be taken in by one of the shelters that were created specifically to help girls in her situation. Together, the kindnesses of distant strangers who live thousands of miles away make it possible for these shelters to exist through their donations.
 

Employment opportunities for those who cannot finish school are very limited. With her education cut short, a young pregnant girl and school drop out faces a future of poverty. So does her baby. It is in the best interest of us all to educate these girls instead of condemning them. With proper support, many girls could finish school, learn a skill and become self-sufficient. 

Without a helping hand, a life full of potential will be discarded. It does not matter that, sometimes, the girl is a victim and her pregnancy is the result of rape or coercion. Safe havens can make a difference in the life of a pregnant teenage girl—and the future of the entire nation. They can help these girls finish school, which is the key to a better life. 

We welcome your support towards this through our Educational LifeLine Program.