Too many problems here

"My name is Abdiyo. I am a 16-year old mother, and a Somali refugee. I came to Kenya with my mother, Noorto Shukmi Mohamed, after my father and brothers were killed 12 years ago, in Somalia. My mother is very sick now. She has suffered from severe psychological trauma for years, because she couldn't stand the situation. I am left alone to face the hardships of refugee life in Dadaab [in Kenya's eastern region near the Somali border].

"Refugees have so many problems. I have a 5-year old baby, but no husband.

"If I came back to my country, I would be stoned to death because I am a single mother.

My baby was born in the camp when I was 11. My clan is very conservative. In their eyes, having a baby alone is an insult to our religion, Islam. My community considers my son to be a bastard, because his father refused to recognize him, and left me when he learned that I was pregnant. I have so many problems that I cannot solve.

"I was very young when we left Somalia. I have no memories from my homeland. But Somali Culture has recently been introduced as part the camp's school curriculum, and this makes me happy.

I would be pleased if there were peace in Somalia.

But I cannot leave Kenya, because of the continuing insecurity in back home. Despite this, the situation in Kenya is hardly much better for me.

"When I go to school, my son is at risk of being killed, because he is a bastard. I go to school under protection, otherwise I would be killed.

"I don't have food to give to my son, because they steal my food every month. For example he has not eaten anything today."

Out of fear of being further abused, Abdiyo refused to specify who steals her food rations the UN's World Food Programme provides twice a month.