How Can I Stay In School?

Dear Auntie Betty,

I am 15 years and in SHS Two. I am finding it difficult to pay my school fees. I have been forced to have intimate relationships with men including my sister’s husband in order to get money to pay my fees and buy other things I need.

I know it is wrong but I can’t stop because I want to stay in school and study to the highest level. I have fasted and prayed about it but I still can’t stop although I know I can get infected with HIV/AIDS or become pregnant. What should I do?

Misspah, Accra.
Dear Misspah,

Do you know that what you are doing now can cause you to drop out of school? You may end up with an unwanted pregnancy or be infected with an STD or HIV/AIDS. And then your aim of being in school no matter the cost would be in vain.

If your sister gets to know of the relationship between you and her husband that will obviously bring about a lot of problems in your family.

Life is not easy and whenever you choose an easy way out of a problem, you always live to suffer dire consequences. So you need to apply the brakes here and think seriously about your future, good health and dignity.

There are so many ways of achieving your aim of being educated so don’t kill yourself for that. You need to put a stop to this beahviour and change your ways.

If you put up this attitude everyone will perceive you as a bad girl and no one will be willing to help you when you are in need.

The fact that you need money does not mean you have to be intimate with men. You can also help yourself by selling petty items or manage with the little money your parents give to you.