I pulled up to the dark grey building and waited for her to appear. They didn't give me a name or the reason we were making the trip. My job today was to deliver her safely to the address provided no questions asked.
She startled me. A beautiful young girl - no older than eighteen - appeared at my window. She wasn't smiling; she looked rather tense. I sensed her hesitation to enter my car so I assured her that I was a friend of her "contact." She was safe to ride with me. To break the ice I complimented her beautiful traditional dress; she shyly looked away and stared out the window. This was an assignment from the women's organization I volunteered for.
The car ride to our destination was quiet. It didn't help that we didn't have a language in common. We did however laugh at my horrible parallel parking skills. It's tough to find good parking in the city.
As I will learn, our destination was the county hospital.
I wasn't sure why I was chosen for this assignment. I couldn't be her interpreter, I was useless. But I trusted my coordinator's decision and went with it. As we approached the receptionist we were ushered to the special 6th floor. The nurse greeted us warmly. We waited in silence and I avoided looking in her direction.
And finally the doctor called us in. I gestured that I would wait for her outside and will be here when she's done. She shook her head and protested "Noooooo!"
She took me by my hand and insisted I stay. I had no choice, so I obliged. We entered into the examining room where there were an unusual number of staff members present. I became suspicious. Why are all these people here? Why am I here?
There was an interpreter present in the room with us. The doctor spoke to the young girl slowly and softly. And the interpreter delivered what he said word for word.
Doctor: "We reviewed your lab work, and you are not HIV positive. The results came negative."
The interpreter and the girl started hugging and jumping with joy. The young girl ran up to me and embraced me so hard. I was still recovering from the shock. My body shivered. I had no idea.
I felt privileged she trusted me to hear her verdict, her fate.
I would learn later that I was chosen because I came from a different ethnic background. Women who sought assistance with the organization didn't want to be identified and shamed within their own communities. The young teen was raped by a close relative in her country. When she came to America, she was urged to get checked, but she surely couldn't do it with the knowledge of her family who deny that the assault ever took place.
The brave young girl contacted our organization for help. If word went out to her community that she got tested for HIV, she would be an outcast never allowed to marry or live a normal life.
I can still remember her face when I dropped her off at her house. She was beaming with light. It was almost like a rebirth, a second chance to live. I never saw her again, but the memory of her and her experience are engraved within. I pray that every victim will have the courage to fight back and strip themselves of the title: victim.
A True Story, 2006.
December 3, 2011
Innocence Stolen: A Young Woman's Story
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20 reflections:
A beautiful post that made me do both: cry and smile. And feel hopeful - there's still hope nevermind the seriousness of the problem, for Allah is Al Rahman, Al Rahim. We ought to remember that.
Aameen to your prayers.
Thank you.
Seriously, thank you.
Wow, what an amazing story. Do you have any idea how she is doing currently or was this your sole encounter with her?
I love the stories you write on these types of issues that affect women especially btw. I was going to ask if it was a true story when I first started reading but then I saw at the bottom.
It's really wonderful that you volunteer your time to help women like this. Kudos.
Wow.. That literally brought tears to my eyes.
"I pray that every victim will build the courage to fight back, and strip themselves of the title: Victim."
I really loved this sentence...
You have amazing narrative capabilities!
Allah ya3teeki il 3afya!
What a touching story. VERY well written, both sad and uplifting at the same time.
What a touching post! Thanks for sharing that, you're doing truly amazing with your volunteering. I too love your last sentence.
This was the only encounter I had with the young girl. I don't even remember her name.
Unfortunately, since I moved a few years ago, I haven't been volunteering with the organization. InshAllah maybe one day I can start something similar where I live.
This shook me. It shook me hard. smile and weep both. Beautiful!
I am happy for this girl that he could do it with courage and i am sad that she got raped. And i am also sad for those women who take the HIV from their irresponsible, druggy or lewd husbands.
They're always scared to be attached as indecent, even if they're not guilty for what has happened, is happening or will happen, and so they remain silent..
I can't imagine what the poor girl was going through. What was she feeling? I failed to read her apprehension but perhaps she didn't understand the extent of what would have been. After all, she was only a child of 18 or 19. She looked much younger. So pretty though and full of life.
Wherever she is, I pray that she is stronger, wiser and happy.
amazing story.. tried to show the unimaginable pain suffered thru thhose innocent girls
"raped" by a close relative? where the hell is the bs "honor killing' thinkin now? if she even talked to a neighbor she would've been shot... all those honor ppl shud b put in gas chambers.
MashAllah...what an account. Kudos to you.
By any chance, would you be willing to disclose the name of this organization. I live in Virginia, as well, and would love to volunteer there. Thanks.
That was one brave girl to ask for help.Many women shut themselves wallowing in self pity and ending up destroying their lives.This was a wonderful true story that brightened up a girl's life.Hope she is well and good.
lat
Masha'allah........... I had the same experiance,I used to work for Human right egence and one day i had a girl she didnt know how old she was but i think between 15-16 yrs old she had very painful story.
Her step dad rape her and she didnt tell her mom she left home infact she left her country she was so scared that she might be pregnant.when she findout she wasn't she was the happiest girl in the whole world i was so happy for her she huged me so tide i will never forget the joy and the pain in her ayes at the same time
you did a great job......
its time families realize that more than their false egos, its their children's lives and mental peace that are important...snubbing the issues won't do good to anyone...it only makes them co-culprits in the horror that rape is
Its a sad moment when you realize that there are people out there who prey on the ones they are supposed to protect. Or their selfishness is so profound, that they are careless about those who are under their care. I remember having to break so many bad news to women that they had HIV or other sexually transmitted diseases and their gaurdians are the ones who gave it to them in the worst abuse possible. It gets to a point when you wonder why we couldnt reproduce like the hydra..just bud off a baby.
Its easy to tell the abused person to come out and confront and tell your story, but nobody will understand until they walk in their skins...its hard.
As a community, we need to try and cut out judging people and just simply say "I'm here, and I will be here." with no questions asked. The ONLY way an abused person will be able to come to terms and move on is if ppl stop judging them. Otherwise, they just bury themselves.
Allah is the most merciful, but He is the Avenger. He will take care of us in every way. Never let His people down. Ameen
Love this post. It must have been shocking but also humbling to witness something like this.
Btw is this from the Organic Muslimah archives? Seems vaguely familiar to me, feel like I've read it on your blog before! :)
It has to be older because I already commented on it. Was so confused why I was getting an email about a comment when I hadn't left one yet. Looked through the list and there I am!
haha yes! This is from the archives :)
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