Uganda, Jan. 20 -- Bridget, not real name, is the youngest child of her parents, with two older brothers. When we were growing up, she was a reserved and introverted child, who faithfully sucked her index finger into adulthood.

In her late teens and early 20s, she took on a relatively wild lifestyle and quickly became pregnant. No one imagined her as a mother, but Bridget brought forth a set of twins, a boy and girl. I always assert that nothing in the world changes the life of any girl or woman like becoming a mother. The change happens on physical, emotional, spiritual, mental and financial fronts. You are suddenly permanently wired to think of another human being before yourself.

You may deny these realities, but the fact is that you...