The child was raised by her grandfather, who groomed her with the intention of using her marriage to settle dowry-related demands from his former in-laws. When he received a marriage proposal from a friend seeking a bride for his son, he accepted and collected dowry without the girl’s consent. Upon learning this, the girl ran away and sought refuge with Darsalam, a trusted community figure known for supporting women and girls and linking them to services through her training with WOJE.

Darsalam immediately contacted a WOJE social worker at the Women and Girls Friendly Space (WGFS) in Gurei. Together, they planned to report the case to the police. However, they first needed to involve the girl’s mother, whose whereabouts were only known to the child. Darsalam met with the mother, who initially agreed to support the case but later withdrew her consent.

With no immediate protection, the girl returned to her grandfather’s home to avoid raising suspicion. Shortly after, the grandfather rushed the marriage process and took her to her supposed in-laws’ home in another town. Before leaving, the girl kept Darsalam’s phone number to stay in contact.

Darsalam did not give up. She maintained communication with the girl and reached out to the new family, educating them on the dangers and illegality of child marriage. The man intended to marry the girl was unaware of her age and strongly opposed the arrangement once he learned the truth. As a teacher who values girls’ education, he expressed his commitment to protecting the child and ensuring her return to Juba.

Now, Darsalam, the girl, and the man are working together to bring her back safely so she can resume her education and receive continued support from WOJE. Darsalam’s persistence highlights the critical role of community leadership in protecting vulnerable children and challenging harmful practices.