FALSE: Photo does not show the drought situation in Embolioi, Kajiado County, in October 2022
Admin 87 teenage mothers in Mukuru slum, Nairobi County got trained on Tuesday at Ruben Center as they celebrated the Youth International Day.
The whole day event that will also last for the whole week is meant to train young mothers in different ways that they can be independent financially.
“I am so grateful to engage these young women in this forum. Our aim is to improve their lives by exploring into different business opportunities available for them so that they cannot depend on any person financially as they try to raise their kids,” said Maggie Kariuki, lead coordinator for Advocacy and Networking at Ruben center.
As the world is celebrating the Youth International day, alarming statistics from the UN indicate that over 60% of young women living in informal settlements are vulnerable socio-economically. Mukuru slums in Nairobi County are no strangers to such young women.
“I am hoping that from this training, I will be able to acquire skills that will enable me to open up a salon and clothes store. That has been my dream all along, but I have no idea on how to go about it. The first day here has been amazing and also challenging, I hope it will work out for me,” said 18 year old Agnes Njeri, a mother of two who also urged other young mothers to join her in the forum as they seek a way to be independent in their lives.
Of much concern also, has been the repeated cases of abuse among young women. Mostly in informal settlements, this has been blamed to poverty among other socially related issues.
Maggie Kariuki now has a solution to the numerous numbers of young mothers struggling in Mukuru slum. Through her project, she also added that she is in talks with different partners so that in future they can also be able to finance different business projects for the young mothers who have no startup capital.
As the global event takes center stage, at least
This particular group of youth has not been neglected. From Ruben center and Maggie Kariuki, the message is short and clear.
There is always a second chance in life, don’t give up.
By Shadrack Andenga odinga
