Sophie

How sisterly gossip helped Sophie control her future in Papua New Guinea

Sophie Cliffy first heard about Marie Stopes Papua New Guinea from her sisters, who received long-acting contraceptive implants to help protect them from unplanned pregnancy. When they told her a Marie Stopes outreach team was visiting her rural community, she attended an education session seeking advice.

Sophie and her husband previously used pills and injectables to prevent pregnancy, but visiting the hospital regularly became too costly and time-consuming. Now, she has six children, aged from five months to 16 years old.

“It’s hard to pay for school fees and it’s difficult to provide food for the children. I’m always stressed about it. My husband is very supportive. He tried to bring in an income be he’s also illiterate.”

“I’m happy because Marie Stopes makes things clear. They cleared up my misconceptions.”

Now that she doesn’t need to worry about unplanned pregnancy, Sophie is looking forward to an improved future for herself and her family:

“I expect the implant will make me healthier and I won’t have to stress about having another child. I’ll have more time to garden and help my husband.”