Private School Opens Doors to Teenage Moms and Moms-to-Be

Kenya opened its first private school dedicated to pregnant minors and teen mothers where they can get their education without feeling any shame, and gain back their self-confidence.

“This school is filling a need and a gap that society had neglected for so long,” says Lizz Muriuki, founder and director of Serene Haven. “They are picking up girls and telling them ‘hey, there is potential  —  you are good, just this thing happened, we’re giving you a second chance,’” adds Ruth Kirimi, a guardian of one of the students.

Each teen mom can bring her child along to Serene Haven; the baby is taken care of while the mother goes to class. Teen pregnancy in Kenya remains the third-highest in East Africa behind Tanzania and Uganda, but thanks to the private institution, young mothers and expecting teenagers don’t have to drop out of school anymore.