A program has been initiated in Mikindani slums of Mombasa County to empower the young teen mothers and vulnerable adolescent girls to improve their livelihoods through skills.
Girls living in the area have often been victims of forced early marriages, early pregnancies, gender-based violence and alcohol and drug abuse.
Some are forced to drop out of schools due to poverty and low levels of economic development. Others opt to serve as sex workers to earn a living, but that is about to change.
Mikindani Hair and Beauty College has become now a safe and solace haven to the vulnerable group through mentorship and offering training at subsidy fee to make them self-dependents, and thereby calling an end to the sexual and economic exploitation and abuse of girls.
According to the college administrator Miss Betty Adhiambo, the college was started in May this year with the aim of motivating young girls who drop out of school due to pregnancy and financial constraints. Ms. Betty says they are offering training at a subsidy fee while orphaned girls and girls with needy cases are sponsored by the college.
According to the administrator the college offers courses in Hairdressing, Cosmetology, Barbering and Nail technology where before enrolment the young girls are guided on how to choose courses of their choice.