Vulnerable young mothers across coastal Kenya are defying early pregnancy and poverty to rebuild their lives, thanks to interventions by the Community Health Promotion Fund (CHPF), which provides mentorship, life skills training, and psychosocial support.
The programme, which aimed at breaking cycles of hardship, has transformed the lives of dozens of adolescent mothers who faced social stigma and economic challenges, helping them return to school and pursue their dreams despite motherhood.
Swabrina Omar, 22, from Baharani kwa Mwarabu in Mombasa County, became pregnant while in Form Two, a development that threatened to end her education permanently.
Raised by a single mother and facing persistent poverty worsened by her elder brother’s serious accident, Swabrina’s future appeared bleak.
“The programme taught me responsibility, calm communication, and how to make informed decisions. I learnt that being a young mother does not mean my life is over,” Swabrina said during an interview at her home.
With support from CHPF mentors and encouragement from her mother, Swabrina returned to school when her baby was only four months old. Although she is currently working to provide for her family, she remains focused on rejoining school and enrolling in college.
In Mvitwa, Kilifi South, 20-year-old Lidya Athama faced similar challenges. Her father’s serious accident while she was in Class Eight plunged the family into financial strain, forcing her to shoulder adult responsibilities prematurely.
Limited support and vulnerability led to Lidya becoming pregnant while in Form Two. Rejected by sections of her community, she found strength through her mother’s support and the fund’s intervention.
“Through psychosocial support and mentorship, I rebuilt my confidence and renewed my focus on education. I now know I can create a stable future for my one-year-old child,” Lidya said.
Beyond personal transformation, beneficiaries have become advocates for change in their communities. Both Swabrina and Lidya now encourage peers to stay in school, avoid early pregnancy and drug abuse, and seek guidance from trusted adults during difficult times.
CHPF’s approach addresses health, education, and emotional well-being simultaneously, creating comprehensive support systems for vulnerable adolescents. Programme coordinators say this holistic model has proven effective in empowering young mothers to overcome adversity.
The initiative operates across several coastal counties, reaching hundreds of young mothers annually through community health volunteers and partnerships with local education institutions.
Health experts note that targeted interventions for adolescent mothers reduce school dropout rates, help break intergenerational cycles of poverty, and improve maternal and child health outcomes in underserved communities.
By Rian Akinyi
