Story summary:

15-year-old Lelo* was born in the Somali Region of Ethiopia. Lelo*’s family are pastoralists who used to depend on their livestock for income, but since the droughts began, her mother has opened a tea shop in their community to support their family. When Lelo* was 14 years old, an older man asked her to marry him. Lelo*’s parents agreed to the marriage because their family were struggling economically due to losing their livestock during the drought. However, Lelo* is part of Save the Children’s anti-violence school club, she told her teacher and the leader of the club that she felt pressured towards early marriage. They negotiated with her mother to cancel it. Lelo*’s mother runs a tea shop in their community which helps provide an income for their family during periods of drought.

Strong quotes:

"The land was fertile and green. We used to take the animals to graze and they were healthy and fat. The land was once fertile, but the following year there was a severe drought. We had a total of eight cows."

"All eight cows died. All of the animals that used to live around the village died. Their remains used to be on the ground, and it smelt bad."

"The animals died. Even the plants dried up. I swear the weather changed. Heat, wind, and storms came."

"When I was 14, I was proposed to. The man proposed to my family, and I was informed when I arrived home. I was demoralized."

"I confided in a friend who informed the teacher and the leader of the gender girls club about the marriage. They went to my parents and told them that I do not agree with this marriage, finally [after a lot of negotiation] my parents agreed to cancel this marriage."

"I participate in [Save the Children’s] school clubs. They introduce us to issues like early marriage. [They give us] books about awareness, they support us. I'm not in a leadership position, but I am a member."

"I want to complete my studies and get married when I'm older. I aspire to become a doctor, especially in the field of surgery."

How is Save the Children helping (or did we help) that child or family:

Save the Children runs community discussion forums on parenting without violence in schools across the Somali region. Lelo* participates in these community groups which focus on the risks associated with child marriage and FGM. Save the Children also provided Lelo* with books, uniform, and school materials.

Interviewee’s story in their own words (Quotes):

Lelo* describes her home and family.

I am 15 years old, and I live with my family. My family consists of my parents and siblings. There are five of us, I have one older brother and one younger brother, two boys and me. Our house is constructed from wood, we have eight goats. There are no sheep, only goats.

My parents are pastoralists. Our family's primary source of income comes from raising livestock. We had three cattle and ten sheep before the drought, but when the drought happened, we lost the cattle and all the sheep. Here in our village, droughts occur frequently. Due to the drought here two years ago, we lost some of the small animals we used to possess, and now we own very few.

My mother runs a business, that's how we make a living. My mother sells tea and our family depends on this income. I am happy because there are schools here, I get both types of knowledge from religious school and academic school.

When I wake up in the morning, I shower and brush my teeth, [then I] prepare breakfast, sweep the compound, fetch water, and take care of the animals. Then I cook lunch. In the afternoon, I fetch water and prepare dinner for the family. My work ends when I tie up the goats, afterwards I go to bed.

Lelo* describes the drought.

The land was fertile and green. We used to take the animals to graze, and the animals were healthy and fat. The land was once fertile, but the following year, there was a severe drought. We had a total of eight cows and all eight cows died. All the animals that used to live around the village died. Their remains used to be on the ground, and it smelt bad.

Now droughts come. The land becomes hot and it becomes harder to work. That's exactly how it was. The animals died, even the plants dried up. I swear the weather changed, heat and wind came.

Although we had less income [during the drought] we never missed food. Although our animals had died and our economy took a hit, my mother runs a tea shop, and we use the money it generates to buy food for ourselves.

Lelo* describes her experience of child marriage.

I was happy and focused on my studies. It was normal. When I was 14, I was proposed to. I had no idea. [It happened] while I was in school. The man proposed to my family, and I was informed when I arrived home.

I was demoralized, he arrived while I was still in shock. When I returned to school, I confided in a friend who informed the teacher and the leader of the gender girls club about the marriage. They went to my parents and told them that I do not agree with this marriage, and finally [after a lot of negotiation] my parents agreed to cancel the marriage.

It was eventually cancelled. The man withdrew, and I resumed my studies. They [the teacher and club leader] were considerate and they supported me. You [will] become a role model for the future generation. That is what they told me. Early marriage is harmful.

Lelo* describes Save the Children’s support.

I attend school and I am currently in grade 9. English is my favourite subject; I want to complete my studies and get married when I'm older.

I participate in [Save the Children’s] school clubs. They introduce us to issues like early marriage [they give us] books about awareness and they support us. I'm not in a leadership position, but I am a member.

In the future, I aspire to become a doctor, especially in the field of surgery.