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Information and Research - King Hussein Foundation
Information and Research - King Hussein Foundation
4 April، 2023

Youth Deprived of Family Ties Stories: Story Two

Summary

The following story is part of a series of stories narrated by youth deprived of family ties as part of the advocacy campaign activities for the “Empowering Care Leavers in Jordan” project.
I lived in different branches of care centers until the age of 18. Later, I moved to another institution where I worked and slept.
That was when I was told that a non-Jordanian man wanted to marry one of us, and I immediately accepted. 
Why would I reject this offer? I was tired of moving from an institution to another. I had no chance to complete my education and I really didn’t have anything better to do. I thought I would spare myself a lot of suffering if I accepted, and lived under one roof for the rest of my life.
I wish I had someone to advise me. I wish someone approached me and explained what it meant to marry a non-Jordanian man, who was twenty years my senior. No one bothered. I knew from the very first day that I had made a mistake, and I repeatedly approached my previous supervisors, telling them that I wanted to get a divorce.
Sadly, they reminded me that if I got a divorce, I would literally sleep in the streets. They said I had to thank God that I had found a man to marry me. In their opinion, who would marry a girl born to unknown parents?
My children and I were all physically abused by my ex-husband. My children were and humiliated and made to starve, because he only paid 1 JD a day to cover food, beverages and all other expenses.
After nine years, I finally got a divorce and I stayed in the streets for months. I would carefully choose a location between a car and a wall, so that no one would take notice. I started working to be able to afford a room, where I could live with my children who stayed with their father until I could find a shelter.
When this day finally came, we agreed to meet. That day, I called him several times and he didn’t pick up. I found out he had travelled to his home country with my children, and I had absolutely no idea!
I was about to go insane. I had no one and no entity to stand by my side. I always wonder what sin I have committed to be treated like a criminal. I always wanted to face whoever is blaming me and say: are you a saint yourself?

Languages
Arabic
Target Group
Orphans
Women
Theme
النوع الاجتماعي
حقوق الإنسان
Media Source
Information and Research Center - King Hussein Foundation (IRCKHF)
أهداف التنمية المستدامة
3
Good Health And Well-being
6
Clean Water And Sanitation
11
Sustainable Cities And Communities
12
Responsible Consumption And Production
13
Climate Action
14
Life Below Water
15
Life On Land
16
Peace, Justice And Strong Institutions
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Information and Research - King Hussein Foundation
Information and Research - King Hussein Foundation

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