Teen Mothers In Kakamega Beat Odds to Go Back to School
Vivian Nafula, a pseudonym used to protect her identity, faced significant challenges as a teenage mother. She became pregnant just before taking her Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCPE) exams two years ago. Unfortunately, she couldn’t immediately pursue secondary education due to the demands of caring for her newborn. At just 15 years old, she had to stay home while her friends moved on to Form One.
During this time, she took on menial jobs to provide for herself and her baby since there was no one else to support them. Nafula’s desire to return to school a year later was hampered by financial constraints.
Fortunately, she crossed paths with Halima Wesonga, who introduced her to the ‘Teen Mothers Scholarship’ program. With the program’s support, Nafula was able to join St Elizabeth Girls Lureko and resume her education.
The ‘Teen Mothers Scholarship’ program, initiated by Janet Kasilly, wife of the Kakamega governor, offers teenage mothers a second chance at education. It aims to empower these young mothers and help them overcome the challenges they face. Nafula, for instance, received a C+ in her exams and aspires to become a doctor.
Saumuh Abdallah, another teenage mother, also benefited from this program. Despite facing teenage pregnancy, she managed to return to school with her tuition fees covered. Saumuh’s mother takes care of her baby while she attends classes, allowing her to focus on her studies.
Before entering the program, parents and guardians of the teen mothers agree to help care for the babies to ensure their children can concentrate on their education.
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Janet Kasilly emphasized the importance of education for these girls and encouraged them to aim for academic success, assuring them of support in their journey. The program plans to enroll more teenage mothers, expanding to technical institutions to equip them with skills for self-reliance.
Kakamega County, where this initiative operates, faces a high rate of teenage pregnancies, with approximately 12,900 reported annually. Nationally, teenage pregnancies are a concern, and programs like this aim to provide young mothers with opportunities for a brighter future.
Teen Mothers In Kakamega Beat Odds to Go Back to School
