Memory’s Story

Memory is a single mom who currently lives with her parents with her six-year-old daughter and one-year seven-months twins. She came to Mercy House with the hope of getting a basic education that can help shape the future of her three kids.

Memory was due to be married but her hopes became shattered when the father of her daughter died in a car accident. He had just graduated from college and was coming home to pick Memory and her daughter. Memory narrates that in her grieving period, she shut God out and resorted to drinking and partying.

I went to every nightclub I could get myself to and went out with several men to merely prove I was neither lonely nor hurting. I often left my baby at home with no remorse whatsoever.

Memory recalls that she went on with this kind of lifestyle for over 2 years until her mother threatened to disown her. She narrates:

I have had a troubled relationship with my father and grew up craving his affection. To this day, my dad has never shown me the kind of love and care that he shows my siblings. Growing up and feeling unloved by my father often made me wonder whether he was my real dad. So when my mom threatened to disown me, that cut deep. My mother means the world to me, so I resolved to change and returned to the church my mom pastors.

Two years later, I met a guy who seemingly cared for us and promised to marry me. One day, he invited me over to his home and demanded sex. Because I was now pursuing God, I refused but he locked the doors and insisted. I gave in and ended up pregnant with twins. When I gave birth, he accepted the responsibility for the twins but refused to marry me citing that his mother was not comfortable with me being his wife. I became shattered again. I was so broken and hopeless with 3 kids and still living in my parent’s home. This was such a hard time because I became a laughing stock in my family and neighborhood. I stopped moving around in my neighborhood during the day because of the amount of ridicule and despise I received. I also stopped going to church because everyone laughed at me. I was so sad and depressed to a point of attempting suicide. Thankfully, my young sister found me about to take my life and told my mom. It was at this point that I underwent counseling and was given scriptures to help me find my hope in Christ again.

Last year, I heard of Mercy House from my mother who attends the Ndola Pastor’s Fellowship where the announcement for enrolling Life Learners was made. Mom brought a form home and I decided to apply. I hoped to get help and education so that I could begin working towards my dream of becoming a doctor…

When Memory got to Mercy House, she was humbled by the love and care she received. Through the discipleship courses she has attended so far, she has learned that God does not reject anyone. She says:

I am now confident in my relationship with God knowing that he does not reject anyone; he accepts us just as we are. I feel very hopeful about my future and sure about myself because I believe and trust that I have Christ. My future and that of my kids are safe because Jesus who is with us will see me through as a single mom.

Memory fends for her kids through her hair plaiting skills, something she does when she is not having classes at Mercy House. She now dreams of starting a Hair Salon once she is done with Mercy House. She believes this will be her stepping stone to becoming a medical doctor.