STORY OF CHANGE - Empowering Adolescent Mothers
Cecilia Mwanza’s Story of ChangeCecilia Mwanza, a 20-year-old adolescent caregiver from Sambani village in Rufunsa, reflects on the profound impact of a session led by Community Based Volunteer Mrs. Betty Nguni. She shares her experience:
“‘Exploring our challenges’ opened my eyes to not only the struggles I face but also the strength I have within me to overcome them. It’s empowering to share and discover solutions collectively. I’ve started using the strategies we discuss to manage stress and prioritize self-care, which has made a noticeable difference in how I care for my family and handle daily challenges.“
Cecilia is one of the 1,200 adolescent caregivers participating in REPSSI’s “Happy Mother, Healthy Baby” project. This initiative addresses mental health issues affecting adolescent mothers aged 14 to 24 years, fostering resilience and well-being.
Fixon Self Help Group: Empowering Adolescent Caregivers Through Savings and SupportFixon Self Help Group, composed of adolescent caregivers aged 17-24, meets regularly at the Chimusanya facility in Rufunsa District.
These meetings are dedicated to savings and securing loans, which are then invested in small businesses within their village to improve their economic standing.Currently, Fixon, which includes 25 adolescent caregivers, has accumulated savings of K6,700.
The group began their saving initiative in January 2024, with each member contributing K20 or more, as per their agreement.These caregivers are also part of the REPSSI intervention, a project that focuses on mental health and support for adolescent caregivers. This initiative aims to address the mental health challenges faced by these young caregivers, fostering both their economic and emotional well-being.