A Unique Educational Experience: How a Kenyan Model Is Bringing Teen Mothers Back to School?

SadaNews - The Greenland School dedicated to teenage mothers in Kenya has provided the opportunity for over 310 young women to return to secondary education, while also providing care for their children, with the number of infants exceeding eighty. The school is a rare model that combines education with psychological and social support, aiming to break the stigma against young mothers in society.

Valerie Wairemo, 19 years old, stated that she had nowhere to turn when she discovered her pregnancy, noting that the school provides her with a supportive environment that allows her to continue her studies while caring for her baby between classes.

The school was established in 2015 under the management of the nonprofit Shining Hope for Communities, and it accepts students through scholarships, especially from the Kajiado County south of Nairobi. It works on reintegrating young mothers into education and giving them the chance to build a professional future.

Paul Mukelia, the school director, points out that most families do not support the students, and the school has to negotiate with tribal elders to ensure the girls' enrollment. The school also emphasizes providing psychological support and guidance to the students to face community and familial rejection.

Workers in the daycare, such as Caroline Mwambai, note that some students feel that their children are a burden, which is why the school works on teaching them essential motherhood skills and childcare while they are in classes.

National statistics indicate that more than 125,000 infants were born to mothers under 19 during the year 2024, and pregnancy is the main reason for girls dropping out of school, alongside financial difficulties that prevent many from returning to school.

Based on increasing demand from coastal areas, the school intends to open a second branch in Kilifi County to expand the scope of this unique educational experience.

The students emphasize the importance of the stigma-free environment in the school, where they find the support that enables them to pursue education and achieve their professional aspirations.

Source: Associated Press