Nearly 400 teenage mothers in Embu County who had dropped out of school due to pregnancy are set to continue their education under the “Restored Hope” program. The initiative, spearheaded by Woman Representative Pamela Njoki and funded by the National Government Affirmative Fund (NGAAF), provides full scholarships to help these young women achieve their academic dreams.
Scholarship Initiative
The first cohort, who resumed learning in January 2024, has been joined by a second group set to begin in January 2025. Speaking at Siakago Girls High School, where she disbursed over KSh 3 million in cheques to beneficiaries, Ms. Njoki expressed confidence in the program’s potential to change lives.
“It has been my desire to restore the dashed education goals of our young girls who did not manage to complete their secondary education as a result of early pregnancy,” she said.
Additionally, Ms. Njoki pledged to assist graduates interested in entrepreneurship by providing them with startup capital.
Vocational Training for Boys
Recognizing the need to empower all youth, Ms. Njoki also launched the Boy Child Short Course Program. This initiative targets young men unable to pursue post-secondary education due to financial constraints.
Through a partnership with Achievers College of Professionals in Embu, the program offers subsidized vocational training courses, equipping young men with technical skills for self-employment.
“Empowering the society through access to education is my priority area. When we impart skills and knowledge to our youth, we give them the power to flap their wings beyond their imagination,” she remarked.
Restored Dreams
Beneficiaries of the initiative, such as Evelyne Mwende, expressed gratitude for the life-changing opportunity. Mwende, who dropped out in 2019 due to financial difficulties and later married, is set to sit for her Form Four exams in 2024.
“I am heading to Form Four this January, and I am happy my education dream was restored,” Mwende said.
To prepare the girls for the school term, they were also provided with sanitary towels and cash for personal essentials.
Transforming Lives
The “Restored Hope” program and the vocational training initiative highlight Ms. Njoki’s commitment to addressing systemic barriers to education. By focusing on teenage mothers and disadvantaged boys, the initiatives aim to foster a more equitable society through education and skills development.
