At just 15, Jacinta from Kenya became a mother. By 22, she was raising three children on her own. A reality that could have left her isolated, overwhelmed, and without options.

To survive, Jacinta started brewing and selling illegal alcohol. It was dangerous and unstable, but she didn’t see another way to feed her children.

That changed when she found the Teenage Mums Club. A community that offered not only support, but the chance to build something new.

With the encouragement and training she received through the club, Jacinta was able to save enough money to open a small guesthouse, complete with a kitchen garden to grow food for her guests.

She says being part of the group has been life-changing not just for her finances, but for her sense of belonging.

Teenage Mums Clubs across the Mt Kenya West region bring young mothers together to care for one another, pool resources, and learn new skills. 

The clubs offer income-generating opportunities, support with childcare, and vital training in areas like reproductive health, parenting, and self-care.

In a country where 13,000 girls drop out of school each year due to pregnancy, this support matters deeply.

Teenage pregnancy in Kenya is often linked to poverty, lack of sexual education, early marriage, and is deeply rooted in gender injustice.*

Many teenage mums are abandoned by their families and left to raise their children in poverty, often without education, income, or safety.

But programs like this are changing the story.

They help young mothers stay connected to school, regain financial stability, and rebuild confidence. They work with families and communities to reduce stigma and challenge harmful beliefs. 

And perhaps most importantly, they remind young women that their lives, and their children’s lives, are not defined by their circumstances.

Jacinta’s story is one of hope, strength, and second chances. She is building a life and doing it in the company of other women who know what it means to begin again.

*Centre for Study of Adolescents - Understanding-Teenage-pregnancy-in-Kenya-FINAL-2.pdf

Initiatives mentioned in this article are part of the ‘Imarisha Maisha II’ program, which receives funding from the Australian Government through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP).