Anafghat
Originating from Tarbiyat, a remote settlement of 2000 Tuareg herders Anafghat was customarily given away in marriage at 11 years of age for a dowry of one camel. She became pregnant while still going through puberty and endured an agonizing 4 day labour before eventually gaving birth to a still born baby boy.
In December 2004, Anafghat had to travel to Niamey to have surgery to repair a 3 inch wide fistula. Whilst recovering in hospital her father made her a promise;
"Father you must promise me that when we go back I can go to school, and that my sisters wont get married so early."
It was a lot to ask of her father, a goat herd...but he promised. When she recovered from her surgery, Anafghat returned to her village and insisted on returning to school, picking up where she left off in third grade. She also began talking to girls about the health perils of early marriage and early pregnancy.
Sadly, Anafghat passed away in 2007. The teenager who sought to change the practice of early marriage in the West African country of Niger, died suddenly from complications of an infection on May 25, 2007. A memorial ceremony was held to honour her short life on the 6th September 2007. The ceremony took place at Glenstall Abbey where an Almond tree was planted and a Memorial Stone laid in her honour. We would like to thank Shanganagh Marble and Stone Centre who supplied the memorial plaque, in particular to Fran O'Neill for her kindness. We would also like to thank the Monks of Glenstall Abbey for their support.
"To live in hearts we leave behind, is not to die"
