NGPU March 31, 2023

Nakuru County to continue empowering youths through innovative programs

Written by Nancy Kihara

Teenage pregnancy and motherhood remain a big sexual and reproductive health concern in Kenya.

According to National Council for Population and Development, one in every five teenage girls between the ages of 15-19 years, have either had a live birth or are pregnant with their first child.

To address this vice, students from Egerton University in Partnership with the American Corner have created a programme that is geared towards addressing cases of teenage pregnancies in Nakuru County.

CECM for Gender, Sports, and Social Services, Ms Josephine Achieng today joined the group to understand the scope of their work and areas of partnership with the County Government of Nakuru.

Speaking during the event, the CECM lauded the group for assisting the teens in the journey of motherhood which she says can be challenging for them.

“The journey of pregnancy and parenting for teens under the best circumstances can be incredibly exhausting. I am glad that American Corner with committed mentors such as Angela has gone the extra mile to ensure that they realize their dreams,” she said.

She further noted that Nakuru County through the able leadership of Governor Susan Kihika, is coming up with a Draft Youth Policy and an Ajiri Center which will assist youths to get jobs and draft convincing Curriculum Vitae.

The Ajiri centres will be equipped with computers where young people can access training, mentorship and online working opportunities.

American Corner Nakuru Coordinator Angela Maramba noted that they are engaging the community through public forums to raise awareness about sexual and reproductive health, gender equality, girls’ rights and the importance of education.

American Corner is a United States Department of State-sponsored Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) that trains Youths on Education, U.S.A Young African leaders initiative, Culture, Interfaith religion and English Learning language.

Last year, the organization had a Talanta na Amani mtaani program, that brought together 150 youths for an educative forum on Youths and Women.

The program was later registered as a Community-Based organization under the name Talanta na Amani ladies which has fifteen members that empower young mothers and street children within and outside the School Premises.

They also hold Community outreach campaigns and peer education programs which help the group to spread their agenda to others.

This has seen teen mothers become powerful advocates for change that has seen many girls go back to school and become more confident and self-sufficient in life.

Nakuru’s American Corner is the fourth in Kenya and the first one in Nakuru County with three others based in Kisumu, Lamu and Nairobi.