Uplifting Teen Mothers in Kenya

Dear friends,

"My name is Tracey...and yesterday, my name was mentioned in the radio stations. But for the wrong reasons!!

"I was among the few candidates who sat for their final exams as teen mothers...having conceived two months before sitting for the exams!

"A few months ago, I was almost expelled from school after they discovered I was pregnant. It took the intervention of GEMINI to save me and to ensure I was still enrolled as a candidate for the final exams. I had to stay with Stella for the three months prior to the exams.

"I was offered a personal tutor and a part-time nurse to help me cope with my revision as well as be able to attend pre-natal clinic.

"Its been a long road but I hope the worst is over. As I look at my baby, named Ella (a tribute to Stella's great work), I know I'm still going to achieve my goal and become a social worker.

"On behalf of all the teen mum candidates who sat for their exams this month, I would like to request each of you to offer a special prayer so that when results are announced, we will be among the top candidates.

"I also wish to express my deep thanks for all your support...both moral and financial..we really appreciate and pray for each of you.

"Thanks so much...

                                         -Tracey

Hi friends,

"My name is Ndinda, a 23-year old mum of 2 beautiful kids. I'm one of GEMINI's previous beneficiaries, having dropped from high school after getting pregnant a few months before my final exams. I was tested during a routine check-up and was immediately expelled!

"The news was devastating to my parents. They also kicked me out of home and I went to live with my aunt, an unemployed mother of three. She assisted me acquire part-time employment in a kindergarten as a cook. The pay was miserable, the work burdening, especially to a 6-month pregnant lady like me!

"I was "discovered" by GEMINI when they came to visit the institution for the annual Day of the African Child celebrations. They assisted me to register for my exams and last year, I sat as a private candidate and scored 302 points out of a possible 500 points.

"I have also been enrolled in their tailoring course. A well-swisher has promised to purchase sewing machines for me when I complete my course in December. The future is really bright for me...!

"On behalf of other project beneficiaries, i would like to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation for all of you that have continued to support us through prayers, donations and encouragement.

"We really operate under hostile conditions but all your support gives us new strength to see another day. We will be dedicating the coming months to celebrating the positive strides that all teen mums have gone through. And as 7 more teen mums prepare to sit for their exams this October, your support is needed more than ever...

"Please drop your comments, feedback and donations. We really, really appreciate..."

Yours, 

Ndinda

Dear friends,

I want to take this opportunity to express my deepest appreciation for all your support, your feedback and your donations over the last 6 months. We received approximately US $1,180 between Jan and May. This doesn't seem like much but to us, it is the difference between life and death!

We have been able to access fertilizers, seeds and some raw materials for our projects. We have enrolled 3 new teen mums into our informal tailoring and bakery courses. We managed to conduct informal sensitization meetings for gender-based violence victims.

Again, thank you so much for your donations. I have attached a short summary of how we spend your money. We still have a long way to go, a lot still needs to be done and every penny is appreciated from the bottom of our hearts.

Kindly go through the attachment and as usual, we look forward to your comments.

Thanks so much and God bless!!

Stella

• GEMINI financial summary (PDF)