Strathmore University, through its Community Service Center (CSC), has come in handy in this period of the pandemic to provide financial support to two rescue centers for young mothers, namely, Wings of Compassion and Maisha. The University has endeavoured to actualize one of its core values, service to society, by stretching its impact on the lives of the less fortunate amid the COVID-19.

Rescuing teen mothers

Located in Marurui, Kasarani, Wings of Compassion (WOC) houses teenage mothers, the majority of whom are below 15 years of age. It was founded in 2011 by Rev. Danshire and Dorcus Danshire, a couple whose deep desire and commitment to alleviate the dire situation of teenage mothers, who are victims of sexual abuse and exploitation experiences that have left them devoid of hope. The home initially started as a daily feeding programme, aimed to instill hope into the lives of these girls but now it does more than feeding; it counsels them and takes care of other basic needs.

Among its projects, CSC has had close ties with the rescue center as it has managed to engage a majority of Strathmore students and staff in frequent visits to the home over years to help support the young mothers. CSC has conducted fund raising activities and challenges, such as the Christmas Bucket Challenge, to rally well-wishers to give donations to the home. Such initiatives assembled food, clothes, toiletries, stationery and computers, which are still being used by the young mothers during their online classes. Strathmore has also provided funds to WOC through CSC to carry on with Mr. and Mrs. Danshire’s devotion to look after the teenage mothers and their babies during these harsh times.

“We are grateful to Strathmore University for its continued support to our girls. All our girls are leaders in their schools because of the great work that Strathmore students have done in instilling hope and raising their self-esteem.” Says Mrs. Dorcas Kangethe, the Programme Director.

Pro-life champion

Maisha, on the other hand, is run by Domittilah Atieno, a 66-year-old who is passionate about bringing hope and effective change. She has been providing a safe refuge for pregnant girls from Kibera slums. Being actively involved as a pro-life champion in the slums, it does not come as a surprise that Ms. Domittilah, who is also involved with the running of a primary school within Kibera, took the matter to hand following numerous encounters with cases of abortion and/or aborted babies on the roadsides in the slums.

Located in Ngumo Estate, the centre takes in the girls, gives them emotional and psychological guidance, and later reunites them with their families. Thus far, Domittilah, the administrator of the center, has supported more than 25 girls. CSC has managed to provide money to  support the home in purchasing foodstuffs such as maize flour, cooking oil, cereals, and sanitary towels. One of the girls is expected to deliver this month amidst the pandemic. Our support goes towards Ms.Domittilah’s commitment to preserve life and give the girls hope. “We thank Strathmore University for helping us survive this pandemic,” says Ms. Domittilah.

 

The article was compiled by Odhiambo Obonyo.

Would you like to share your experience of living through the circumstances brought by the Covid-19 pandemic? Kindly email: communications@strathmore.edu