A disaster being pregnant isn’t just one which’s unplanned, but additionally one which’s unsupported, in line with Eyres. And whereas there may be much less stigma round single parenting in Hong Kong than beforehand, extra must be executed to strengthen neighborhood networks.
“There are an estimated 5,400 crisis pregnancies in Hong Kong each year, with most being women under 25,” Eyres says.
The age of women looking for the charity’s assistance is getting younger, she says; some are as young as 13. And instances have grown more and more advanced, particularly for women aged 12 to 16.
“Analysis by the University of Hong Kong reveals that one in four of our girls have experienced a previous pregnancy, and the same proportion began engaging in sexual activity before reaching [16] the legal age of consent in Hong Kong,” Eyres says.
Mother’s Choice was established by Eyres’ dad and mom, Ranjan and Phyllis Marwah together with their mates Gary and Helen Stephens, in 1987. It has since offered almost 55,000 pregnant ladies with counselling, a secure place to reside and prenatal and postnatal programmes.
There is not any such factor as a hopeless case – all people will get a second likelihood
“Almost half of the girls that come to us are already the second or even third generation of teen pregnancy, so creating community around these girls is key to breaking the vicious cycle,” says Eyres, who grew up volunteering on the charity.
Cultivating trusting relationships with adults can be important.
“The common denominator for all the girls who come to us is they don’t have safe, trusting adults in their lives,” Eyres says. “So embracing them into relationships so they can learn about their options and be empowered to make the choice that’s best for them is important.”
“I have a choice” is the mantra Mother’s Choice instils in teenage ladies dealing with disaster pregnancies. They are inspired to make knowledgeable selections relating to parenthood – both adoption, termination or self-parenting. “Not one of them is easy,” Eyres says.
Eyres says that 70 per cent of the ladies are selecting parenting.
“Hong Kong now has subsidies and public housing for single parents, but even with these you’re set up for failure as a parent – and you’re very vulnerable – if you don’t have a community of family and friends around you,” she says.
Would you swipe proper for this canine? In Hong Kong, you possibly can
Would you swipe proper for this canine? In Hong Kong, you possibly can
“Most girls who come to us grew up without a family, raised in an institutional residential care system, or informally being passed around to people in the neighbourhood,” provides Eyres.
Without neighborhood assist, ladies are vulnerable to neglect, abuse or being left in an unsafe place.
“Not having that stability of a permanent, loving, safe family makes them vulnerable to abuse, to sexual assault, to engaging in inappropriate relationships, to not knowing their own self worth,” Eyres says.
“But when we have people walk the journey with us, the future is bright.”
Helping to brighten that future is the charity’s home for pregnant ladies within the coronary heart of Hong Kong.
“It’s a healing space for girls to learn and express themselves,” says Romy Kung, the home’s assistant supervisor, as she walks by one of many flooring dotted with pianos, artwork supplies and yoga mats.
For many women it’s a second home, and Kung a second mum: her affection for the ladies is palpable.
“I even attended one of the girls’ weddings,” Kung says, pointing to a photograph of the celebration in an album devoted to particular celebratory moments.
Life expertise, from cooking and cleansing to balancing a finances, are additionally taught right here on a strict schedule that goals to arrange the ladies for parenthood and life exterior the home.
In one room are cabinets lined with child books and plaster moulds displaying how the physique adjustments throughout completely different phases of being pregnant.
Kung tells the story of 1 woman who got here to the home aged 13 and 13 weeks pregnant. Her drug supplier boyfriend was in a detention centre. She confirmed expertise within the kitchen and left with hope – and a job within the meals trade.
Hong Kong NGO Mind HK’s free psychological well being checks ‘make sense’ of emotions
Hong Kong NGO Mind HK’s free psychological well being checks ‘make sense’ of emotions
Hope is a phrase Eyres makes use of so much.
“When you hear some of the girls’ stories, you wonder how can they overcome that kind of abuse, that kind of trauma?
“But what I’ve learned from being in my role for 12 years is that there is no such thing as a hopeless case – everybody gets a second chance,” she says.
