mothers, felons and gangsters -- younger than my sister

I dont know where to begin.

Today has been incredible... both in good and bad ways.

My first stop today was a house for nine unwed mothers (and their children). The moms ranged in age from 12 to 22! All but one of them had gotten pregnant after being abused and raped --often times by someone in their family.

(one of the babies! she is so adorable...and wouldnt let me put her down the whole time i was in the house!) 

The kids I met today look no different than my former students ... or even my little sister and her friends. But then I started listening to their stories ... sad, sad stories. I met a 12-year-old girl named Maria. She gave birth to child about 7 months ago. She got pregnant after her godfather raped her. Now, because her family kicked her out of the house for getting pregnant, she is living in a Orphan Helpers half-way house.

Today I also met Christian. Hes 14 years old and covered in tattoos. On his neck is a large, very visible 18 ... the mark of one of the most prominent gangs here in El Salvador. He was arrested for extortion and the judge sent him to an Orphan Helpers half-way house because if she sent him to a normal dentention facility he would likely be killed. Even now, Christian cant go to certain places for fear of being killed. Hes 14! And who knows the types of things he did while actively involved in the gang? 

 

christian

I met 18-year-old Sonya. She is in a womens detention facility -like juvenile hall- for homicide. She has two kids. She is awaiting her sentence and doesnt know when she will get out.

Story after story after story. What do I do with this information!??!?!?!