How grassroots organization 'Birth & Beyond' is creating a safe space for teen mothers in Kajiado

Patricia Njeri, the founder of  'Birth and Beyond' runs a community-based organization that empowers teenage mothers by creating a safe space for them to thrive. 

In an interview with Citizen Digital, Patricia revealed that she founded the organization after making a life-changing decision to quit her job as a banker to pursue her passion for women's empowerment, solely focusing on teenage mothers.

“I was a banker before I started the program. From soul-searching and knowing what I love doing, I discovered that I love empowering women and decided to focus on adolescent mothers,” she said. 

Drawing her inspiration from her story being synonymous with the plight of adolescent mothers, Patricia  highlighted stigma as one of the main challenges she faced then, noting that it is presently prevalent.

“What inspired me to start Birth and Beyond is because I was a teenage mother myself 19 years old," she said. 

Despite the implementation of a policy in 1994 that allowed teenage mothers to resume school after childbirth, Patricia says that young mothers in low-income areas like Kajiado North Constituency, struggle to return to school due to financial constraints. 

Patricia further affirmed that readmitting and admitting teenage mothers to school through sponsorships are among the four key pillars her organization focuses on.

The organization also offers psychosocial support and mentorship to revive the teenage mothers' self-esteem. 

Patricia added that the organization operates through partnerships with the church and other organizations that share their vision.

According to Patricia, the main challenge the organization faces is acquiring resources, highlighting that  fundraising has become a daily activity at her firm.

She went on to say that because teenage pregnancy have a negative effect on the young mothers' self-esteem, it takes time for them to restore their confidence.

Charity*, a 16-year-old teenage mother narrated that she had to take a brief hiatus from school due to her pregnancy. She revealed that her family and friends were hostile upon discovering her pregnancy, further expressing that the harsh treatment she received from her kin degraded her self-worth.

Charity* further stressed that 'Birth and Beyond' has supported her in regaining her self-esteem through counselling sessions and readmitting her back to form one.

Monica, 22, on her part recounted that her experience as a teenage mother was burdened with hardships, noting that she is an orphan who lives with her grandmother.

She expressed her appreciation to 'Birth and Beyond' for enrolling her in a mechanical vocational school, which landed her a job, affirming that she is now financially stable enough to support her three-year-old child.

Monica aspires to tread in Patricia's footsteps and help fellow teenage mothers overcome the adversities she did.

Patricia hopes to start a baking and computer vocational school this year, noting that the fundraising event is set for June.