About ADEW: Who we are
Background on female-headed households
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My name is Naima and I am 16 years old and have finished third preparatory. I left school in order to help my mother in the house, I am the oldest, and my mother was getting tired from serving all of us, in addition to her work in the market. I have no time to take literacy classes or to go to sewing or any other skills training. I work from early in the morning until late at night. I have six brothers and sisters of different ages. Some of them go to school and I prepare their breakfast and help them get dressed. Others work and I have to prepare their food. Then there are those who are younger than I am and whom I take care of during the day. Between cleaning the house, cooking, washing, and taking care of the younger children the day goes by.
My only dream is to rest, to relax, and have time for myself. Just to sit and do nothing. I do not have any other dreams for I do not have time for such things (Bibars 2000)