A Mother's Fight for Justice - Margaret, Zambia

Margaret spends her days caring for her 12 children in their small, cinderblock home outside of Lusaka, Zambia. The family is poor - but the house is full of laughter and the evidence of great love. Older siblings help care for younger ones, and everyone takes extra time to support the youngest child, Masuzyo,* who was born with Down's syndrome.

One morning, seven-year-old Masuzyo took a familiar walk down their dirt road to visit a nearby neighbour's house to play. That morning, the family's nightmare began.

Before she reached her friends' home, Masuzyo met the adult nephew of another neighbour, who beckoned her to follow him. Masuzyo, trusting this familiar face, accompanied him into his house, where he violently raped her.

Masuzyo's friends found her on the street and brought her home to her horrified family. Margaret wept at what had happened to her little girl while her husband called the police.

Though the family was desperate for justice, after the initial police report, the case against Masuzyo's attacker stalled. The justice system wasn't working to protect Masuzyo.

But Margaret and her husband learned from a friend that International Justice Mission might be able to assist their family. Upon learning the facts of the case, IJM Zambia quickly took Masuzyo on as a client.

With a voice in court, everything changed for Masuzyo. IJM lawyers and investigators built a strong case and, when the trial concluded six months later, justice was done: Masuzyo's rapist was found guilty. He is currently in police custody, awaiting sentencing from the High Court.

IJM aftercare staff have provided counselling and vital necessities for Masuzyo and her family. They have also secured an opportunity for Margaret to train in entrepreneurship, and she is starting a small business selling beads, charcoal and other goods.

Masuzyo will continue to heal in safety - and, because of IJM's advocacy, other young children will be protected from harm.