Kenya
Support for Teenage Mothers
One in five girls between the ages of 15 and 19 in Kenya is either pregnant or already a mother. Many teenage mothers face significant health risks and drop out of school as a result of their pregnancy. Their prospects for the future are often bleak. We help these young mothers cope with the challenges and problems of their daily lives so that they can take control of their own futures and those of their children.
Background
In recent years, the number of teenage mothers in Kenya has risen sharply. The COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated the problem. The situation is often particularly difficult for young mothers, especially in rural areas.
The main causes of teenage pregnancies, aside from sexual violence and forced marriage, are primarily a lack of information and counseling services. Many young people know very little about sexuality, reproduction, and contraception. This also increases the risk of complications during pregnancy. Many young mothers lack reliable access to health services or hygiene products. Compounding these issues are poverty, a lack of parental support, peer pressure, hopelessness, and a lack of vision for what their own lives could look like.
Most girls and young women drop out of school when they become pregnant. This drastically reduces their prospects for a good, self-determined future. Many of the teenage mothers are illiterate—they therefore have little chance of finding decent employment. Instead, most work in the household or in agriculture, often leaving them dependent on others and without a steady income. The fact that many of these young people come from low-income families further exacerbates their financial problems.
This creates a cycle from which few escape. The children of teenage mothers often do not get enough to eat, frequently do not attend school, and suffer from stigmatization. Many are malnourished and, due to a lack of education, ill-prepared for their future lives. As a result, many of these children fall into situations of dependency. Furthermore, the likelihood increases that daughters of teenage mothers will also become mothers at a young age.
Our goal is to help these young mothers and their families break free from this cycle.
Häufig gefragt
What does ChildFund Germany stand for, and what is the goal of its work?
Our goal is to bring about lasting improvements in the future prospects of children in need, their families, and their entire communities. Through our commitment to these children and families, we aim to make a positive difference and create lasting improvements, always guided by the principle of helping people help themselves. This enables them to exercise their rights, overcome poverty and dependency, and lead independent and self-determined lives.
How can I be sure that my donation actually reaches its destination?
The efficient use of the donations entrusted to us is our top priority. To ensure that our aid is used in a highly targeted manner, we rely on close collaboration with local partner organizations in all the countries where we operate, so that our assistance meets the specific needs on the ground. Furthermore, all our support is guided by the principle of helping people help themselves. This ensures that the people in our projects benefit from long-term and lasting changes and, in the long run, no longer depend on aid but can live independently and self-determinedly. Our transparent and responsible handling of donations is also confirmed by the DZI Donation Seal, which we have been awarded continuously since 1995 by the German Central Institute for Social Issues.
How does ChildFund Germany work?
Our work is made possible by three sources of funding: sponsorships, other donations, and public funds. Our projects funded by sponsorships are designed for the long term. They are characterized by particularly close collaboration between our partner organizations in the respective project country and the local communities.
The donation-based and publicly funded projects have a shorter duration. Due to the limited timeframe, these projects require more intensive planning and support on our part.
In all projects, ChildFund plays two specific roles: First, raising funds so that the project work can be implemented at all. And second, bringing together and building bridges between those who provide money and expertise and those who lack these resources. The goal is to maximize mutual benefit from the collaboration and to advance our projects in the most effective way possible.
What kinds of projects does ChildFund Germany carry out?
Our projects, which are funded through sponsorships, are designed for the long term. They are characterized by particularly close collaboration between our partner organizations in the respective project country and the local communities.
The donation-based and publicly funded projects have a shorter duration. Due to the limited timeframe, these projects require more intensive planning and support on our part.
What regions and issues does ChildFund Germany focus on?
We operate in various countries across Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Eastern Europe. Our work focuses primarily on education, nutrition, livelihood support, and child protection, as well as humanitarian aid in emergency situations. Issues such as health and climate protection are also central to many of our projects.
How can I support ChildFund Germany?
There are many different ways to support our work. From a one-time donation to a regular donation as a “Future Donor” to becoming a sponsor, you are free to choose the form of support that best suits you. Long-term and particularly sustainable support can also take the form of a foundation or a bequest. We also offer a range of customized support options for businesses and schools.