BY GEORGE ODIWUOR

When Samantha Riahan walks through the gates of Wasamo Girls Secondary School, she is no longer just a student—she is a role model. Not long ago, she faced what seemed like an insurmountable challenge. Defiled and impregnated, her dreams of education nearly slipped away. But today, she is a volunteer teacher, guiding other girls through the same struggles she once faced.

Vivian Rebeca shares a similar story. In 2022, she found herself pregnant and ready to give up on school. But with encouragement from her teacher and unwavering support from her mother, she returned to the classroom, determined to rebuild her future. Last year, she sat for her Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams and scored a C (plain), a grade she is proud of.

Samantha and Vivian are just two of the many girls at Wasamo Girls Secondary School in Mfangano Island, Homa Bay County, who have been given a second chance at education and life.

A Different Kind of Classroom

One classroom at Wasamo Girls is unlike any other. Instead of desks and textbooks, it is filled with sewing machines. On the walls, brightly colored posters offer life lessons—warnings about the dangers of early pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections like Human Papillomavirus (HPV), and the risks of drug abuse.

Here, teenage mothers gather not only to learn but also to heal. The space doubles as a workshop where they stitch reusable sanitary towels, an initiative that serves both as a skill-building exercise and a means to financial independence. Through the Mothers’ Club, these young mothers gain practical skills in fashion and design, equipping them for a future beyond secondary school.

A Haven for Teenage Mothers

Wasamo Girls Secondary School is the only girls' school on Rusinga Island, with an enrollment of 120 students. Unlike other institutions that might turn them away, Wasamo provides a safe space for teenage mothers to continue their education. The school’s open-door policy, supported by the Forum for African Women Educationalists Kenya (FAWEK), is transforming lives through initiatives like Imarisha Msichana (Swahili for "Strengthen the Girl").

The program runs across 20 counties, helping schools establish clubs that empower adolescents to navigate the challenges of teenage pregnancy, gender-based violence, and financial hardship. One such club, Tuseme (“LetUs Speak Out”), encourages students to focus on academics and life skills, while the Mothers’ Club provides a supportive community for young mothers like Samantha and Vivian.

From Vulnerability to Leadership

Samantha, who graduated in 2024 as the school’s top student with a B (plain), credits her success to FAWE Kenya’s support. “I attribute my good performance to the activities initiated by FAWE,” she says. Now, as a volunteer teacher, she serves as an inspiration to other girls who might otherwise have given up.

Vivian, too, has found new purpose. “Teenage mothers should not lose hope and get married. They can achieve their dreams if they do not give up on education,” she says. Her ambition is to become a sign language teacher, a career that will enable her to uplift others.

Through their work in the Mothers’ Club, Samantha and Vivian not only sustain themselves but also help other vulnerable girls. By producing and selling reusable sanitary towels, they reduce the financial burden on students who might otherwise fall prey to predatory men offering sanitary products in exchange for sexual favors.

The Challenges and Triumphs of Wasamo Girls

Despite its success, Wasamo Girls faces significant challenges. The school principal, Florence Oyoo, notes that during school holidays, some girls are at risk of exploitation by men, especially fishermen operating along Lake Victoria.

“The island has foreigners who work at the beaches, and some prey on schoolgirls during April, August, and December holidays,” she explains. Each term, the school admits new students, some of whom are already mothers. In 2024, Form One students were enrolled while still nursing infants. Two Form Two students and one Form Three student also returned to school pregnant.

To combat stigma and ensure academic progress, Wasamo Girls provides regular counseling sessions. Teachers, acting as counselors, encourage students to treat teenage mothers as equals, emphasizing that despite being mothers at a young age, this does not define their potential or future.

Inspiring Messages for a Brighter Future

As students walk through the school, they are constantly reminded of their worth through "Talking Points"—20 motivational messages displayed on metal plates. Messages like “Give the girls a chance to speak” and “A girl child brings joy; she is no less than a boy” serve as daily affirmations, instilling confidence and resilience.

The efforts of FAWE Kenya and the dedication of Wasamo’s staff are paying off. “This program has improved academic performance and increased enrollment,” says Principal Oyoo.

Eva Ojwang’, a FAWE Kenya official overseeing Imarisha Msichana project in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation in Homabay and Migori counties, says the initiative was born out of necessity. After the COVID-19 pandemic forced students to stay home for nine months, many girls failed to return to school due to pregnancies or early marriages.

Since its inception in 2022, the program has empowered over 1,000 teenage mothers return to school, giving them a second chance to succeed.

Breaking the Cycle

FAWE Kenya’s work does not stop at Wasamo Girls. The organization collaborates with government agencies, law enforcement officers, and community leaders to create a support system for vulnerable girls. Through the “I Care About Her” initiative, young men are also educated on the importance of protecting and respecting girls.

However, challenges remain. Some girls struggle academically after their return, while others battle stigma from peers and family members. Limited resources also mean that not all teenage mothers who wish to continue their education can be accommodated.

Despite these obstacles, Wasamo Girls Secondary School stands as a beacon of hope, proving that with support and determination, teenage mothers can rewrite their stories. As Deputy Principal Quinter Goroba puts it, “We always tell them that they are equally important. They made a mistake, but they deserve a future.”

And so, each day, Samantha, Vivian, and their peers stitch together not just fabric, but the pieces of their dreams—one thread at a time.