Bringing hope to teen mothers
Watching increasing cases of teen pregnancies and resultant effects, Nancy Waithera set up Hope in the Street Initiative to help adolescents bounce back
Young school going girls have been thrust into the role of motherhood at quite an early age, dashing their hopes on whether they would go back to school and fulfil their dreams.
For some, it seemed like their candle for a bright future had slowly dimmed.
With a big burden weighing on her heart, Nancy Waithera felt the need to reach out to these young girls, and give them hope and assurance that despite getting babies at an early age, they still had room to bounce back again and ignite their passion and dreams.
Born in Machakos and raised in Thika, Waithera, the first born of two siblings, was brought up by her mother.
“I truly love and treasure her for sacrificing a lot to ensure I became the woman I am today.
Growing up without a father has been challenging since my mum and dad parted ways when I was only three years old.
Lack of a father figure caused me a lot of psychological and emotional pain as I often wondered why other children had their fathers yet I didn’t.
My mother did all she could to give us the best, but I still missed the father figure in life,” says the author and psychologist currently working in a non governmental organisation dealing with women and children.
This background created in her passion for the girl child, which drove her to find ways to help them.
She started by holding mentorship sessions with young people after completing high school, but she felt the need to start an initiative that would raise a platform for girls. That is how Hope in the Street was birthed.
“I started doing research on teenage pregnancy that had increased during the pandemic and explored its impact on the health of adolescents and young people living in the slums,” she says.
The initiative targets girls aged between 10-25 years. So far she has reached out to 1,000 girls.
“With the current emphasis posed by the government to curb the pandemic on “staying at home”, teenagers have adequate or else uninterrupted time where they engage in experimental sexual activities in a curious exploration of their sexuality and fulfilment of the demanding needs of their fast-growing bodies.
If proper mentorship is not done, all these fun-filled explorations may go unnoticed only to be revealed later by missing periods or a growing bump,” she explains.
With the resources she had, Waithera started the journey to offer solutions.
“Through the help of Dandora Millionaire Centre, I got 30 girls from the area to whom I would provide mentorship, reading materials, and a platform for effective interaction.
We operate a WhatsApap group that offers a space for them to air out their daily issues.
Waithera works with a team of mentors who talk to the girls on various issues.
“I always give the girls my number in case they need any assistance and counselling. I also hold one-on-one counselling sessions. I visit some of them in their homes to create a bond.
I provide sex education thus, creating a safe environment for learning about it.
During the events, I invite different people from different professions and encourage girls to identify the individual they would want to walk with,” she says.
She has also visited teenage mums in areas such as Korogocho, Kiandutu slums in Thika and Majengo.
After several meetings, the girls expressed another emergency: inability to access sanitary pads.
“Most girls rely on free sanitary pads and tissue paper distributed in school, but when schools shut to curb spread of Covid-19, they no longer have access to them,” she explains.
Waithera’s greatest achievement has been seeing the lives of these young girls transformed.
“I believe the change we so desire in society starts with me. Changing one girl at a time equates to changing future generations.
The girls I am mentoring are going forth to mentor other girls. They are growing up to become confident, assertive, and determined to achieve their goals in life.
Remarkably, girls are now saying no to sex and thus, reducing the rates of teenage pregnancy,” she says.
She has, however, faced some challenges along the way.
“Inadequate finances is one major challenge since there is so much to be done, but resources are limited.
I use part of my salary to support the initiative and with time, God has brought various sponsors on board.
A lot of friends have also carried this burden in their hearts and truly the journey is going on well,” she says.
Waithera intends to provide scholarships to the needy girls.
“I also look forward to create job opportunities for them so that they can achieve their dreams.
I am also looking into ways I can reach the boys and offer mentorship since there are issues young boys also grapple with,” she adds.
