Teenage Mothers Economic Empowerment Project

In the heart of Mathare north we meet Maya (not her real name), a 17-year-old who faced immense challenges as a teenage mother. Dropping out of school, homelessness, an abusive relationship, and a difficult delivery which marked her early journey.  Her encounter with the Mathare Children's Fund Panairobi (MCFPanairobi) ignited a spark of hope.

At 15, pregnant and abandoned by the child's father who used to physically abuse her, she resulted to being on her own. Later during the pregnancy, Maya could no longer work to fend for herself hence she was evicted from her rented room due to accumulated rent arrears. Seeking refuge on the streets, she battled depression and used drugs to cope a better part of her pregnancy. "I was always high on marijuana and always chewing khat because I couldn't afford to stay sober. All these thoughts in my head were overwhelming and I needed a way to keep up.”

A ray of hope shone when, her aunt took her in at around 8 months pregnant till her due date, but dimmed when she refused to help her during childbirth. Delivered by an untrained midwife, complications arose, forcing Maya to flee and seek emergency care. "My aunt refused to assist during childbirth and forced me to go to a local midwifes house in the neighborhood. The midwife was untrained and used traditional methods to deliver babies. Complications arose and my instincts led me to run and seek help" she said

Further heartbreak followed as she learned the child's father had multiple families and offered no support. "My heart broke when I learnt that my childs father had multiple children from Various relationships and was even expecting another child with another Teenage girl like me barely a month after I gave birth."  She risked contracting sexuality transmitted diseases during her affair with her child’s father who had multiple partners at the same time. "I was lucky I didn't get any infections and diseases from him" she said.

Moving in with her grandmother offered some stability, but they lived in cramped, poverty-stricken conditions. Her grandmother works casual jobs in the neighboring slums to fend for herself, Maya and her daughter, and Mayas other four cousins. Maya during her stay at her grandmother’s place discovered Mathare Children’s Fund Panairobi through a former beneficiary of the program.

 Determined to build a better future, she approached Mathare children's Fund Panairobi and sought help. "I walked in the gates of MCFPanairobi and they welcomed me with both hands, they listened to my story, took me in and offered me free vocational training." This vocational training program provided a lifeline. Enrolled in cosmetology, Maya finally pursued her dream of becoming a beautician.  "I have always wanted to be a beautician, so for me it's a dream come true"

MCFPanairobi's childcare allowed her to focus on her studies while knowing her daughter was safe. "I can easily focus in class since I know my baby is well taken care of at the daycare and that my child and I will have something to eat for the day" The Mathare Children's Fund Panairobi has a daycare that takes care of the children of teenage mothers benefiting from the free vocational training. The daycare has two caregivers who ensure the wellbeing of the babies.

Despite challenges, she graduated in December 2023, her sights set on a well-paying job or business to support her family. Grateful for MCFPanairobi support, she dreams of helping other girls like her find their own paths to empowerment. "I'm grateful to MCFPanairobi for the help they're giving and that they may continue to help other teenage mothers like me who have lost hope."