Jackline Anyango Otieno, a 19-year-old from Ombeyi ward in Kisumu County, found herself facing a bleak future after getting pregnant immediately after sitting her form four national exams. She encountered rejection, both within her family and the community. Jackline's dreams were seemingly shattered, and she spiraled into depression, grappling with low self-esteem and the stigma associated with being a young mother.
"Being a young mum with no career, the struggle to make ends meet pushed me into a deep state of depression. Revealing my child to the world was also an incredibly tough ordeal, since bearing a child in your father's compound is considered taboo."
In response to the pressing needs of adolescent girls and young women (AGYWs) like Jackline, ICS SP initiated a mentorship program in Ombeyi ward. The program targeted AGYWs aged 10-19, aiming to equip them with life skills through a curriculum that would open doors to social and economic empowerment opportunities. This included business support, vocational training enrollment, psychosocial support, and access to essential services such as medical screenings and family planning.
Jackline learned about the program through her peers and saw it as a lifeline to transform her life. She eagerly joined the Champions Safe Space, a group of 25 AGYWs that convened every Wednesday and Friday for life skills sessions and mentorship. The modules delivered by the energetic mentor provided clarity and insight, prompting Jackline to reassess her past experiences and find courage in redefining her future.
"Modules being delivered by our joyful mentor are very friendly and provide a lot of sense and clarity, which gave me the courage to reassess and positively rise above my experience."
Through the mentorship and valuable information obtained from the life skills modules, Jackline discovered the importance of self-acceptance and the intrinsic value each person possesses. Inspired by the program, she developed the idea of making and selling samosas as a business venture. This entrepreneurial initiative not only enabled her to pay bills but also boosted her self-esteem, allowing her to speak confidently in public.
Jackline expresses gratitude to the ICS mentorship program for choosing to uplift girls, young women, and the community at large. Her personal transformation serves as a testament that individuals should not be defined by past failures. She encourages her peers to embrace the mentorship program, highlighting the understanding and support provided by the ICS mentor, who goes the extra mile to counsel and challenge them to remain focused and determined.
"I am immensely grateful to the ICS mentorship program for extending support to girls, young women, and society at large. I stand as a living testimony that we should not be defined by our past failures. I urge my peers to wholeheartedly embrace this mentorship. My sincere thanks go to my ICS mentor; she understands us profoundly and is always ready to go the extra mile, counseling us and challenging us to stay focused and determined."
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