Adolescent pregnancies are a global problem. According to World Health Organization (WHO), around the world, however, adolescent pregnancies are more likely to occur in marginalised communities, commonly driven by poverty and lack of education and employment opportunities. Social consequences for pregnant adolescents may include stigma, rejection or violence by partners, parents and peers, and, early pregnancies among adolescents have major health consequences for the mothers and their babies. In Rwanda, the issue persists, however, many are doing their best, if not to curb it, help teen mothers make a better life for themselves. For example, in Rwamagana District in Eastern Province, about 39 teen mothers recently completed a six-month tailoring training. The girls also took different courses in entrepreneurship, nutrition, reproductive health, and gender-based violence. This was managed by Marie-Clarisse Mfurayabo, through Mfura Foundation, a local NGO she founded in July 2019 to support vulnerable teen mothers in Kigabiro, Rwamagana District—something she says was a childhood wish. The beneficiaries who were given tailoring machines, working space and capital, say that they had given up school, and that this is a second chance. Shadia Icyimpaye, one of the beneficiaries, says that some of the men who got them pregnant lured them into sexual activity because they were not in school due to financial constraints, and those who were in school were naïve and ignorant because they lacked enough reproductive health knowledge. Teen mothers receieve certificates after the tailoring course. “They enticed us with things they knew we did not have. If your mother could not afford to buy you a good lotion, a man would show you how he could give you everything to have a better look,” says Icyimpaye, who was impregnated at the age of 18. Shadia Icyimpaye, one of the graduates of the six-month course, speaks at the ceremony. “We were desperate and Mfura became our second family, we became their children, and they gave us exposure to a better life. They treated us well, they advised us and gave us counselling to heal the emotional wounds of the past,” she adds. The organisation also gave them per diem for daily meals to feed their offspring. “We did not just learn tailoring, we learned a lot more, now we can start a project and develop it to lift ourselves, our families and the country in general,” she points out. When Vestine Uwimana’s daughter was impregnated, she sent her away, however, Mfura intervened. Vestine Uwimana, mother of one of the beneficiaries. “Imagine someone who does not know you but comes to help you, your child and your grandchild. We were really not doing well, and she reconciled us with our children,” she says. The teen mothers now have a normal life, Uwimana says, adding that she sees them mentally ready for a successful future. “Once they have some financial independence, no man will lead them into unwanted sexual relationships anymore, they will be entrepreneurs, managing their own money. This is just the beginning, I see them rich in the future,” Mfurayabo says. Mfurayabo adds that she started the organisation to make sure girls and women are safe and at peace because that is what helps a country to progress. “We face many problems in the community, but there is one problem that requires all of us to work together to solve it—teen pregnancy. I approached them and found that they were facing many issues related to state of mind, rejection and a sense of marginalisation in society,” she says. Mfurayabo says that many teen mothers have extreme anger stemming from rejection by society. While it is hard to process or accept what happened to one’s daughter, the anguish of the teen mother grows by the minute, she warns. Marie-Clarisse Mfurayabo, the founder of Mfura Foundation. Photos/Courtesy Every Thursday, she has a session with a beneficiary, to listen to her experience and give counselling services if need be. This is also the reason why Mfurayabo recommends that counselling and treatment of trauma of teen mothers is embraced all over the country. Mfurayabo is also planning to establish an early childhood development (ECD) centre for the teen mothers’ children, to keep the children in a safe environment while their mothers are in training. “I love helping vulnerable women; when a woman is in trouble, the family cannot progress. But when a woman is safe and peaceful, the progress for the whole household and community is enabled,” she explains. “I am thankful to the leadership of this country, I would never have started something like this if I was not living in a safe country,” she adds. The Mayor of Rwamagana District, Radjab Mbonyumuvunyi, says, “When teen girls get pregnant, they face rejection from society and even abandonment from their own parents, and this is what we are trying to fight on a daily basis, with different partners, including Mfura Foundation, to reconcile the teen mothers with their parents and then help the young mothers find some occupation. However, what is more important is reaching out to their parents and convincing them to accept their children and not to abandon them.” Mbonyumuvunyi commends Mfurayabo’s spirit, adding that helping others is not about being rich, because one does not donate because they have a lot—it takes a willing heart and love for others. “On the list of the richest people in the country, you will not find Mfurayabo, but she is surely one of the most decent people, that is what matters, because what is important is having humanity and being supportive to others,” the mayor says. Ministry of Health reports show that there were 19,832 teen pregnancy cases in 2018 and 23,628 in 2019, while there were 19,701 cases in 2020 countrywide.
