These were the haunting questions we faced in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. The government had directed us to carry out an emergency rescue of street-connected children and youth in Eldoret. In our minds, our target population was predominantly boys—since Tumaini had mainly worked with them.
But then, reality hit us.
We had thought about working with girls before, but now it became urgent. As we walked the streets, we saw young girls—some still children themselves—already mothers. Teen mothers.
The Alarming Reality
Did you know?
- According to research by the African Institute for Development Policy (AFIDEP) Kenya, 151,433 teenage pregnancies were recorded between January and May 2020—a 40% increase above the country’s monthly average.
- The World Health Organization (WHO) states that pregnancy and childbirth complications are the leading cause of death among girls aged 15–19 years.
- Nearly 98% of teenage mothers who survive childbirth drop out of school in Kenya (Plan International, 2019).
A Life of Hardship and Risk
Teen mothers face overwhelming challenges that often push them deeper into the streets to survive—rejection from family, societal stigma, financial struggles. A 2018 census on street families revealed that 1 in 10 females aged 15–19 had given birth.
We see these young mothers every day—carrying babies, begging for food, struggling to make ends meet. But have we ever stopped to think about the dangers they face on the streets?
A Game-Changer: The Teen Mothers Program
In 2022, we took a bold step. Tumaini Innovation Center launched the Teen Mothers Program, a safe space designed to give young mothers hope, dignity, and a second chance. We launched:
✅ Boarding Facility – We can accommodate up to 80 girls.
✅ Daycare Center – A state-of-the-art facility where teen mothers can safely leave their babies while attending classes.
Our focus also shifted to not just the teen- mothers on the streets but also reaching those in the slums before getting to the streets hence the ‘prevention program’.
How You Can Help
It costs Ksh 135,000 to support a teen mother through a one-year vocational course. But we cannot do this alone. We invite you to join hands with us in transforming lives.
�� Visit us: Tumaini Innovation Center, Elgeyo Road, Eldoret
�� Email us: tumainicenter@gmail.com
�� Call us: 0726 055 778 / 0723 783 178