MCC helped Anita to defy challenges of teenage pregnancy
Anita frying samosas at her family home in Nakawa Division
Growing up in a humble background was no excuse for Anita, 24 (not real name), 24 to trace her path to success with the help of Reach Out Mbuya Community Health Initiative (ROM) in partnership with Mennonite Central Committee (MCC). MCC aims at improving Maternal and Child Health in slum areas of Nakawa Division, Kampala District for Dignified Livelihoods.
A resident of Acholi Quarters-Nakawa, Anita’s journey to success started in 2023 when she enrolled on ROM’s Mother and Child Health program under MCC at a time she was expecting her first child but could barely afford to access health care services and she was mentally distressed given the negative attitude she received from her family for conceiving at an early age: Anita had just concluded her senior six exams and her mother had high hopes of her daughter joining university for higher education.
“ROM provided me with antenatal care; counselling, Fancidar, a mosquito net, a mama kit and a lot more. Towards delivery, ROM referred me to Naguru Hospital and gave me transport fare to the hospital when labor struck.” Amito narrates.
“After delivery, I continued to visit ROM to immunize my baby and postnatal care. ROM also provided me with stuff including milk, soya flour and others for my baby. In addition to that, I and other young mothers were taken through training on how to prepare nutritious but cheap food for our babies and as I talk now, my baby is healthy and growing well without any sickness.” She added.
Anita continues to count her blessings at ROM for the skilling program that has seen her start a business with which she is able to look after herself and the baby. “I am so blessed that ROM also trained me on how to save money and start a small business. Through my 20-person savings group called God’s Will, created with ROM’s support, we acquired various skills like baking which I seriously took on and currently practicing.” She explains.
Anita bakes samosas and prepares tea which she sells to members of her community and children in neighboring schools. She says the business is so far running well and from the profits made, she can meet her needs, buy nutritious foods for her baby and save some money with God’s Will.
Her business was welcomed in the community because it brought quality and affordable breakfast services closer to the people unlike before when they would have to go to the trading center to buy breakfast accompaniments, something they detested.
Full of pride and confidence, Anita says, “Joining ROM has changed me; given me life skills and boosted me to think beyond my interests. With this experience, I have also garnered the courage to render services to other people in need, including young mothers like me who do not know what to do in the face of hard times.”
She encourages young mothers n to think that becoming pregnant is criminal. Instead, it is an eye-opener for one to think hard and come up with something through which you can thrive and care for your baby.
Amito is grateful to MCC for all the services provided to young mothers, especially those from humble backgrounds who are never able to pay for those services. “Thank you for empowering us to become something in life.” She said.
Her story is one of the more than 600 vulnerable young mothers whose lives have been improved through MCC.
