Mother of premature triplets seeks support

Last year Angelique Niragire was a Senior One student. Then she met a fellow student, a boy who was in Senior Four, who impregnated her. She dropped out of school due to the pregnancy and waited to bring forth her bundle of joy. Unfortunately, she developed labour pains at seven months and gave birth to triplets. Now one month old, the triplets have only brought sorrow to their 23 year-old-mother. Niragire 23, a resident of Bugoyi cell, Gisenyi sector in Rubavu district fears she might not be able to raise the three babies to maturity, since she does not have enough to eat, let alone feed the babies. “I can’t certainly say I will be able to raise the triplets since I am not financially stable and neither is my family. I am still dependent on my mum and I wish the father of my children was able to look after us,” she says, as she appealed for support from well wishers.Niragire failed to pay hospital charges only to be bailed out by local officials.“The sector officials gave me Rwf100,000 which I used to foot the hospital bill. I also bought some few materials like milk and clothes but this was just a drop in the sea,” she says as she stares at her children from one of the two bedrooms she shares with her family. She is a third born in a family of six.“Now the milk I bought is over, I am not sure whether I will get something to eat and drink to be able to breastfeed them.”Niragire’s mother, Bonnette Nyirarukundo is equally worried about her grandchildren and daughter.“I feel sorry for her but this is not the time to play the blame game. She delivered rather early and it was unplanned. What worries me is how to raise the babies who might not see their first birthday if nothing is done,” she said.According to Dr Violette Ayinkamiye, a Paediatrician at Gisenyi Hospital, for a woman to raise a new born, especially multiples, she needs to get nutrients rich in vitamins such as meat, fish, eggs, vegetables. The new mother also needs to drink milk in order to get breast milk.“Niragire will not be able to get all the necessities, the babies are at high risk unless support is provided. Besides, the babies need appropriate clothing which they do not have,” said Ayinkamiye.Rachel Nyirasafari, the in charge of social affairs in Rubavu said the district knows the plight of the young mother though they are yet to extend the necessary support.She said the district has asked the sector authorities to design a project for her and submit it to the district for support.A report released by Gender Based Violence (GBV), last week, revealed there were 522 unwanted pregnancies registered last year in several schools countrywide.The biggest perpetrators of sexual violence which leads to unwanted pregnancies are older men, commonly referred to as sugar daddies, fellow students, teachers, and motorcyclists. Neglect by parents/guardians, peer pressure and poor discipline were also among the major causes of sexual crimes which lead to unwanted pregnancies.

National

Mother of premature triplets seeks support