Yenny's Story
One of seven children, Yenny Lim was abandoned as a newborn by her Malaysian parents. After an early childhood with her grandmother, they reclaimed her, and immigrated to Australia. Once here, her parents struggled to assimilate, and Yenny felt trapped between two worlds, missing her grandmother and growing up with parents she felt no connection to.
As she got older, Yenny argued with her traditional, overbearing father. She felt unwanted and worthless, and drugs blocked the pain. Confused, and at just sixteen, Yenny was told to leave home.
With nowhere to go, she moved in with her boyfriend, who physically and emotionally abused her. As a result of the abuse, she became pregnant, and her life crashed down around her.
Without a stable place to stay, Yenny thought she couldn't raise a child on her own. So she decided to stay in the relationship and go through with the pregnancy. But the abuse continued, and under a year later, this led to a second pregnancy. Yenny became suicidal, and knew that to survive meant getting out.
Her health suffered. She was isolated and alone, and emotionally and financially drained. Yenny came to Melbourne Citymission, pregnant and with Jet who was 4 months old.
The Young and Pregnant Parenting Program (YAPP) assists young people up to 25 years of age to find accommodation, to receive education and training and enable them to work, and vital parenting skills.
For the first time, Yenny felt cared for and supported. We re-established her sense of self worth, of belonging, and connection to the community. She now has a better place to live, is beginning to have contact with her siblings, and is learning parenting skills.
"I live for my boys. They mean everything to me. They are my happiness and my joy. Everyone always talks about their families... I want my boys to have that too."
Without a safe and nurturing environment, young lives are at risk. That's why it is important for you to help us now, to assist other young parents. Without Melbourne Citymission, children can miss out on the care and support they need. We help them throughout the year - so please, at this time, make their Christmas a happy one.
Whatever you can afford to give will help young, disadvantaged parents get through a challenging time. Thank you.
Please donate to our Christmas Appeal and support our work with families throughout the year.
