Sharkeyma is 19 years old and was originally from New York, before coming to Alabama to live with her grandmother at the age of 7. Sharkeyma left NY because she was the victim of severe child abuse, which contributed to the mental health problems she began experiencing as a child. By the time she was 13 Sharkeyma was in the custody of Alabama DHR, where she went through some very difficult teenage years. In June of 2009 she aged out of the DHR system, which meant she was left with no financial support, no insurance, no high school diploma and no job skills. Within a matter of weeks Sharkeyma found herself homeless, and in August she discovered she is expecting a baby. She tried to enroll in the Job Corp Training program, but was told she did not qualify because she is pregnant. She has spent her pregnancy during the coldest winter on record sleeping wherever she could find a place, including underneath bridges and in abandoned buildings. Several weeks ago friends helped Sharkeyma find a place to stay in a dilapidated house in Ensley that has water and electricity but no heat. She, and another homeless person who stays there also, both work for the landlord several days a week to work off their rent.
Sharkeyma has health problems and her pregnancy is high risk. The baby girl, which she plans to name Rihanna Robin, is due in late March or early April. She asks you to pray for the health of her baby and that she will receive a crib mattress, an infant seat, car seat, baby bathtub, blankets, baby clothes, diaper bag, and all the supplies a mother needs to care for a newborn infant. Please pray for her health and safety, as well as the safety of her baby. Also please pray Sharkeyma will experience healing from the incredible pain and loss she has suffered in her young life.
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