I escaped child marriage when I was 14

Umme lives in a community in Bangladesh where families face overwhelming challenges. Her father died when she was little, and her mom worked hard to provide for her family, but it was never enough.   

By the time Umme was 14, her mom was struggling badly to pay school fees and feed her children. Hoping to give her daughter a better life, she began planning for Umme to marry.  

When Umme heard this, she was terrified.  

The good news is that Umme had been to Food for the Hungry child marriage workshops for girls, thanks to generous supporters like you.  

She learned that child marriage is illegal in Bangladesh.  

She now knew about the physical and mental health dangers.   

So she began to talk to her mom, sharing everything she’d learned. After hearing the truth, Umme’s mom stopped planning Umme’s marriage. And even though it was a struggle, she supported Umme to stay in school. 

And now, thanks to loving friends like you and her mom’s courage, Umme is writing her own future and helping other children to succeed in school too!  

“Today, I tutor children because I want to become a teacher,” says Umme.  

“I escaped child marriage when I was 14, but many more girls need help before it’s too late.” 

Rainy, 16, is another bright girl in Bangladesh who escaped child marriage and has big dreams for the future.  

“My dream is to become a lawyer. I will bring justice to girls who’ve been forced to marry, and I will help them.”   

“If I’m not able to study, my dream will be destroyed.”  

“When I was 14, my parents told me I had to get married. I was scared. But I knew I wanted to study in school.” 

Thankfully, through Food for the Hungry workshops, Rainy was supported and empowered to change her parents’ minds about marrying her off.  

“I escaped child marriage when I was 14. Will you help protect the next girl like me?” asks Rainy. 

Right now, a girl like Umme and Rainy urgently needs your help to stay in school, safe from child marriage. 

Learn how your love in action will help a girl pursue her God-given dreams and build an unstoppable future. Your kindness will protect girls and help communities to end child marriage for good.