Teenage pregnancies continue to derail the education and future prospects of thousands of girls in Kenya.
This has forced many to abandon their studies and take on the responsibilities of motherhood before they are ready.
While some aspire to return to school, the burden of childcare and a lack of family support often stands in their way.
A new initiative in Mathioya constituency, Murang'a county, is now offering young mothers the opportunity to pursue their education without worrying about who will look after their children.
The non-profit 360 Climate Institute has established the "Cha Mama" Daycare Baby Crèche, a childcare facility that enables teenage mothers and young women with infants to attend vocational training while their children are cared for in a safe and nurturing environment.
The daycare operates alongside the institute's tuition-free vocational training programme, allowing mothers to acquire practical skills in areas such as catering, beauty, fashion and other technical courses as they work towards financial independence.
"We realised some students who had enrolled for training could not continue because they had become young mothers and had no one to leave their babies with," institute's CEO Daniel Irungu said.
"That is when we knew we had to provide a solution that would allow them to continue pursuing their dreams."
According to the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey, teenage pregnancy remains a significant challenge, with thousands of girls becoming mothers before the age of 19 every year.
Many are forced to leave school, exposing them to poverty, unemployment and social stigma despite the government's policy allowing adolescent mothers to return to school.
Irungu said the idea was born in 2024 after the institution noticed an increasing number of students dropping out shortly after enrolling because they lacked childcare support.
Beyond serving learners, he said the facility has also become a lifeline for young trainers at the institution who are raising children while building their careers.
Babies at the centre are cared for by trained caregivers in a stimulating environment that promotes early childhood development, while their mothers attend classes with peace of mind.
"Our message is simple. Early parenthood is not the end of anyone's dreams," Irungu said.
"Every young person deserves an opportunity to build skills, secure employment and create a better future regardless of the challenges they have faced."
The initiative currently accommodates up to five babies, with plans already underway to expand the facility as demand continues to grow.
Board chairperson Hannah Muriithi said the organisation had not anticipated the number of teenage mothers seeking vocational training until they started receiving applications from girls who wanted to study but had no one to care for their children.
"We started with space for only five babies, but we are now working to expand Cha Mama and welcome partners who would like to support the project because the need within our communities is much bigger," she said.
Among those whose lives have been transformed is Jane Njeri from Nyandarua county.
She discovered the institution online and enrolled for a catering and food technology course while pregnant.
After completing part of her studies, she took maternity leave before returning to complete her training with her baby enrolled at the daycare.
Each morning, she prepares her baby before reporting to school, where the child spends the day under professional care. During breaks, she visits to breastfeed and check on the child before returning to class.
"There was no one at home who could help me take care of my baby. Here, I can study knowing my child is safe, and I still get the opportunity to breastfeed and spend time with my baby during breaks," she said.
The programme has also benefited Jane Wanjiru Kanja, who joined the
institution as its first student and now serves as a trainer while raising her
child.
She said the daycare enabled her to return to work and continue building her career instead of remaining at home because of childcare responsibilities.
"I want young girls who have lost hope because of stigma to know that having a child is not the end. With the right support, you can raise your child, continue learning and build a successful career," she said.
Nancy Gakii, the caregiver in charge of the daycare, said children are received from 9am, provided with meals and cared for throughout the day in a child-friendly environment.
Mothers are free to visit and breastfeed whenever necessary before returning to their lessons.
She said the centre also supports children's development through play, interaction and age-appropriate learning activities to help them achieve important developmental milestones.
Residents have welcomed the initiative, saying it restores hope to young mothers who would otherwise remain isolated because of stigma and childcare responsibilities.
"Having a child should never mean the end of someone's future. This programme has shown our young mothers that they can still continue with their education and achieve the lives they had hoped for," resident Joseph Gikungu said.
