Support 1000 teen moms' Education in Kisumu, Kenya

Make Me Smile-Kenya continues to support Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW) in Kisumu County through a comprehensive package of interventions designed to reduce vulnerability to HIV, early and unplanned pregnancies and gender-based violence. This report covers programmatic activities implemented during January and February 2026 across the following thematic areas: Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), Vocational and Technical Skills Training and Child and Youth Development.

During the reporting period, 196 adolescents were reached through Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) sensitization sessions, enhancing their knowledge of HIV prevention, reproductive health, and access to youth-friendly health services. To further reduce financial barriers to education, 23 pregnant and breastfeeding adolescents received school fees and scholastic support, including essential learning materials. This support directly contributed to reduced absenteeism and improved school attendance, ensuring that adolescent mothers were able to resume and sustain their education without interruption. Overall, the project made measurable progress toward improving educational outcomes and reducing vulnerability to HIV among pregnant and breastfeeding adolescents in Kisumu County.

The project successfully conducted mentorship sessions for 1,185 adolescent girls, providing beneficiaries with structured guidance, emotional support and life-skills development. These mentorship sessions strengthened adolescents’ self-esteem, coping mechanisms, and motivation to remain in school despite challenges related to stigma, early motherhood, and health risks. Beneficiaries reported increased confidence in managing their dual roles as students and young mothers, as well as improved peer support networks that reinforced positive behaviour change and educational aspirations

Through Make Me Smile’s Vocational Training Center, 239 adolescents were enrolled across Information Communication Technology, Solar Technology, Tailoring and Cosmetology trades in both January and February 2026, maintaining consistent enrollment over the two-month period. This is particularly significant in the context of the broader project goal of supporting 1,000 teen mothers' education in Kisumu County, as vocational training serves as a critical pathway for young mothers who may face barriers to re-entering formal education. By equipping teen mothers with marketable skills in IT, solar installation and crafts, the programme directly addresses their economic vulnerability, reducing dependence and creating sustainable livelihood opportunities that enable them to support both themselves and their children. Combined, a total of 51 graduates gained employment across the four trades during the reporting period, representing tangible progress toward economic independence for this highly vulnerable group.

Overall, the project continues to make measurable progress toward transforming the lives of adolescent girls and young women in Kisumu County, equipping them with knowledge, skills and confidence to break the cycle of vulnerability and build futures defined by possibility, purpose and resilience.