NEARY, 23: MY STORY
MY name is Neary and I am 23 years old. When I was 17, my own father abused me. At the time, my mother and my brother and sister lived in another province.
I ran to my neighbour and asked to use their phone to contact my mother ... we (my neighbours and I) went to the chief of the village and the chief called the police to catch my father. He is in prison now.
My mother is not happy with me and she wants me to help my father. I wanted to help him, too.
The police said if I did not tell the truth, my father would do bad things to my mother, so I told the truth to protect my mother. I was scared of my father, and my older sister and younger sister did not value me.
It’s been five years now. Every time I talk about it I cry. (But) I think I’m growing now and I am mature now.
When I got the chance to work at Outland Denim, I felt happy. They are good. They found me a job to do. It’s harder for me to find a job than other people because I had an injection when I was very young that made me grow small and the bone in my arm and leg moved down, and now I cannot use my leg and arm very well. I can only use one leg on the sewing machine.
They understand us at Outland. It’s helped me to be better. It has made me happy because when I’m working it’s like I have a friend, another family. When I’m working and sewing clothing, I’m happy to come to work. I’m happy with my work. It’s not just teaching us skills to sew but also teaches us other things, how to behave well and change my attitude.
Before, I said to myself I cannot do anything because of my body condition, but now I think I can do anything. Now that I have skills, I don’t look badly on my body. I love working here. I want to work here as long as possible.
I want to work here and earn money to buy some land for my husband and my daughter, and some chickens, and send my daughter to school.
I want to encourage girls who are in a bad situation not to be disappointed in yourself because there are a lot of people who are waiting for you, to give you a helping hand. Just open your heart and receive the help.