Support young mothers, cleric urges community

Teenage mothers at Prestige Teenage Mothers School, Subukia, Nakuru County, March 13, 2022. [Harun Wathari, Standard]

The government and the private sector have been urged to adopt initiatives that support teen mothers.

Young mothers from Prestige Teenage Mothers School in Subukia yesterday had their children dedicated at Deliverance Church, Nakuru, led by Reverend Elijah Mwangi.

The school is a rescue centre for young mothers and their children. It aims at giving them an opportunity to continue with their education while taking care of their children.

Rev Mwangi said: “This is an example of what society should be. These are children who need love and support.”

Some of the teenage mothers were accompanied by teachers and staff from the school.

Rev Mwangi said the environment at the institution was conducive for the girls to compete with their peers from other schools. “It is evident that these young mothers have a thirst for education. Society should not deny them that right,” he said.

Rev Mwangi said the Church has a role to play in giving direction to those who find themselves in dire situations.

“There are more such girls in our community. The Church discourages what led to this. However, the Lord will not cast away anyone who comes to Him regardless of who they are.”

Rev Mwangi emphasised the need to help the girls continue with normal life, saying discriminating against them contributes to the stigma.

“Today, we can see the girls who were victims of early pregnancy and the children they conceived. The men responsible for this are out of the picture. This leaves the girls with a burden that makes them lag behind compared to the men,” the cleric said.

“Pushing such girls into early marriages is setting them up for failure.”