Marina was born into a poor family in a small village in Prey Veng province. She is the eldest amongst six siblings, and is smart and responsible. When life became more difficult in Prey Veng, her parents decided to move the whole family to live in a church compound in Takeo province. Being the eldest and the smart one in the family, her family’s hope for a better life hinged on her frail shoulders. While she was studying in high school, she worked as a part-time English teacher in Cambodia Adventist School. The money she earned from teaching she gave to her parents to help out in their daily expenses.

She had set her sights on going to a university in Phnom Penh, a goal she had achieved. She met her partner there and started a four-year relationship that came to an end when she got pregnant. Her boyfriend wanted nothing to do with her pregnancy and vanished. Due to shame and disappointment, her family did not accept the baby and refused to support her for being pregnant outside of marriage. Depressed, miserable, alone and pregnant, Marina had nowhere to go as she watched her world crumbling before her eyes. Until she found Mother’s Heart Organisation.

Marina began with the Crisis Pregnancy Support Programme with the goal of being independent so she could raise her baby and still be able to achieve some of her dreams. When she entered the programme she was approximately four months pregnant and received pregnancy care right away. She was provided a safe place to stay by one of our partner organisations where she was immediately surrounded by staff who supported and cared for her, and other young mothers. While there, there she improved her self-awareness and had the support and encouragement from the Mother’s Heart’s team, as well as from the young women facing similar circumstances to her. The social worker and counsellor met with her several times a month to provide all her needs, especially on her pregnancy and emotional well-being. She faithfully went to her health checks and other appointments with the midwife.

Marina also began attending maternal education classes and other skills trainings needed to achieve her goal of independence. Throughout these classes organised by the social work and counselling team, she was able to navigate through her feelings and emotions and was able to make a plan for her and her baby.

She is a smart young woman and, after several classes, she regained her self-esteem. She quickly absorbed the knowledge she gained from attending these classes and counselling sessions and became better prepared for her new journey as she welcomed her baby into her life. During her time in the programme, Mother’s Heart also provided counselling to her parents in the hope of reconciliation. Mother’s Heart observed that Marina has shown strength of character and learned from her transgression. The Director of the shelter also agreed with the team that Marina is very determined to turn her life around and make a fresh start with her baby. Such was her progress that the Director offered her a job to work there when she graduated from the Mother’s Heart programme. These days, you can find a different Marina at the shelter, not as a resident, but as one of the regular staff. She is confident and in love with her baby. She has a place of her own, a job to provide for her and her baby’s needs, reunited with her family, and a new and promising life with so much opportunity ahead of her.