15 May 2024
For today’s International Day of Families, we would like to honour the diversity and different forms of family life. That’s why we’re introducing Sophia (name changed by the editors), a single mother of two from our Yua sheltered structure in Gonderange, who is representative of many other mothers and fathers in need. A portrait.
26-year-old Sophia looks like many other young women her age and yet her life is different from many of her peers: Together with her two young children, the Luxembourger lives in an assisted living facility reserved exclusively for young, single parents (mothers or fathers).
A look back: Sophia was in the middle of her three-year apprenticeship as an upholstery seamstress in Germany when she became pregnant by her partner at the time. Her relationship with her parents was difficult. ‘My parents weren’t happy about my pregnancy at the time,’ she says. Partly because it became clear over time that the relationship with her ex-husband was problematic in many respects and the couple later split up.
The ‘Office national de l’enfance’ (ONE) and another social welfare authority worked together to find a solution and referred the Esch native to the ‘Centre d’Accueil Norbert Ensch’ (CANE) service of the Luxembourg Red Cross, more precisely to the Yua structure in Gonderange, which had previously been housed in the ‘Kréintgeshaff’ in the commune of Contern for many years.
Sophia has been living at the centre with her two children (3 years and 16 months) for three years now and shares the home with three other young, single mothers. ‘When I moved in here, it wasn’t easy for me. My daughter was born a month early. I wasn’t feeling well, I was aggressive. Because I wanted to get a better grip on my life, I successfully completed therapy with a psychologist,’ says the single mother looking back.
Speaking of the Yua group
It all began in 2018, when the Red Cross Yua group was still a pilot project. Just two years later, it has become a separate department whose services are funded by the state. This structure is aimed specifically at young mothers like Sophia, but also at young fathers aged between 18 and 27. They need a kind of ‘training camp’ for various aspects of daily life. In addition, the young single parents are to be supported in parenthood. The aim is to strengthen the bond with the child and become independent.
At this centre, Sophia and the other women have the opportunity to live independently with their children in their own room with a bathroom (kitchen and children’s playroom are shared) and at the same time – if necessary – receive round-the-clock care.
‘I want to get my motorbike driving licence, go on holiday, get married and I want my daughters to have a better life. That’s why I’ve already set up a savings account for them.’
Sophia, single mother of two children
There are currently a total of three social pedagogues, three educators, a paediatric nurse, a paediatric nurse and four ‘Aides socio-familial’ working in the Yua group. They teach the young parents everything they need to know as a mother or father. From washing and feeding the baby properly to managing their own money. But the topics of school, training, work and the search for a place in a childcare centre are also tackled together.
And with success: most of the young parents actually go their own way after three to four years and can leave the Yua group stronger. ‘I’ve had a new friend for a while now. We are currently looking for a flat together, even though we know that it’s not easy in this country. I also really want to find a job as a shop assistant and have already sent off a few applications. I want to be in control of my own life now,’ emphasises Sophia. Family is a big responsibility for her and she wants to be a role model for her two daughters.
When asked what her dreams for the future are, the young mother doesn’t have to think long: ‘I want to get my motorbike driving licence, go on holiday, get married and I want my daughters to have a better life. That’s why I’ve already set up a savings account for them,’ says Sophia as she says goodbye.
