Irene’s Journey of Hope
Who: Strømme stiftelsen: Adolescent Girls Education and Empowerment project in Tanzania
What: Reviving the Dreams of A Teenage Mother from Kitopeni, Bagamoyo
The life of Irene Kenneth Patrick, a 15-year-old girl from Kitopeni, took an unexpected turn two years ago when she became pregnant, shortly after completing primary school. Raised by her grandmother after losing her father at a young age and having been abandoned by her mother and stepfather, Irene has faced countless hardships.
Living in a modest home with her grandmother, who has no income, Irene relies on the goodwill of relatives and community members to survive. Now a young mother to her young son Hamid, she faces the daily struggle of providing for her son, without any source of income.
"It’s hard to even think about what tomorrow will bring. Some days, we don’t know where our next meal will come from," Irene shares.
She once dreamt of becoming a nurse to care for her grandmother, but her early pregnancy and economic situation made it feel impossible. Although a charitable organisation attempted to help her return to school, the effort was short-lived due to financial difficulties, and the school eventually closed.
"I wanted to go back to school and learn, but there was no money for books, and walking long distances with a baby made it impossible," she explains.
Despite having little to offer, Irene’s grandmother remains determined for her granddaughter to have a brighter future. She firmly believes that education is the only way Irene can transform her life and provide for her child.
"I believe in my granddaughter, and when she gets a second chance, she will overcome the challenges she’s facing. She has learned her lesson. I wish I could support her, but I have no means for both of us. Still, I will keep seeking help by any means, so she can return to school and fulfil her dream. I want her to have a better life than I could give her, so she can support herself and her son."
Despite the obstacles, Irene’s desire to return to school has never wavered. She remains hopeful that with the right support, she can pursue her dream of becoming a nurse. At the same time, she has started to consider alternative paths that will enable her to support her son, such as learning vocational skills such as hairdressing and beauty.
"I wish to go back to school and become a nurse, but given my situation, I think I need to learn something that will help me take care of my son. I’ve been thinking about hairdressing and beauty – maybe one day I can open a salon."
Irene believes that many other young people in her community face similar challenges and pleads for opportunities, not just for herself, but for others like her.
"I know I’m not the only one in this situation. Many girls like me need a second chance."
Today, Irene’s hope is rekindled through the Grieg project, to realise her dreams. She will begin life skills training shortly, after which she will be supported to re-enroll in school through the Tanzania Secondary Education Quality Improvement Project (SEQUIP) pathway. “I hope that with the right support, I can return to school or learn vocational skills like cosmetology so I can become a beautician and create a better future me and my son”
Les mer om prosjektet her.
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