TEENAGE | MOTHERS | WAKISA PREGNANCY

KAMPALA - Teenage mothers under the Wakisa Ministry, a pregnancy crisis management centre are slated to benefit from the Australian Alumni Association of Uganda through skilling.

The self-sustaining skills to be given, are an effort to settle the teenage mothers into community after delivery.

The Alumni Association composed of academia from Makerere University and other institutions has committed itself to skilling the teenage mothers to help them support their babies.

While launching the project, Sarah Bimbona, the chairperson of the association stressed that young mothers tend to suffer a lot after delivery due to lack of financial support from culprits.

Sarah Bimbona (L), the chairperson of the Australian Alumni Association of Uganda admires some of the products made to help support the girls. (All Photos by Agnes Nantambi)

These are children of tender age, aged between 10-17, they are very young to look after themselves and also look after their babies.

"We want to give them skills in tailoring, weaving, cookery, and crocheting, among others such that by the time they leave this home, they can take care of themselves and their babies," she said.

Bimbona who is also a lecturer in the College of Business and Management Sciences Makerere University stressed that after skilling the teenage mothers, they will also be given start-up kits to support them with new life.

She explained that the program by the Association which brings together all former students of Australia with support from the Australian government intends to promote dignity and self-esteem of young girls in crisis pregnancy while addressing their emotional, physical and spiritual wellbeing.

“These teenage mothers are from various religious backgrounds and different regions across Uganda, they are provided with temporary shelter, counselling and care services, growth opportunities and are equipped with life and vocational skills to transform their lives."

Vivian Kityo, the Founder of Wakisa Ministries decried the increasing cases of teenage pregnancy saying this has increased the admission rate of girls to the Centre high with one girl being brought daily.

Justine Lubanga, an Alumni of the Australian Association shows some of the products the girls will be skilled in.

She explained that the centre is currently not in position to accommodate all the girls being brought saying this leaves many of them not being taken up.

She said the Centre is currently operating at a lower budget due to lack of a nearby hospital by government to support delivery of these young girls.

"Initially, we could take these girls to Mulago Kawembe for delivery but due to the distance, we got in touch with a private health Centre nearby, where we take them to deliver after paying.

We plan to have our own health Centre with health personnel to support the delivery of these girls, however, we are constrained with the resources to put it up.

We appeal to the well-wishers for support so that teenage girls can be supported to delivery properly before being integrated back into their families," she explained.

She applauded the Australian Alumni Association for partnering with the Wakiso Ministry to support teenage mothers.