Youth empowerment NGO is a leading innovator in program models for young mothers
NAIROBI, KENYA — CFK Africa, an international nonprofit dedicated to empowering youth in informal settlements across Kenya, has announced it is expanding its Funzo Project for teenage mothers, including vocational training. This initiative provides teenage mothers with practical skills and career opportunities, offering an alternative to traditional secondary education.
Since 2018, CFK Africa’s Funzo Project has enabled 840 teenage mothers to return to school in seven informal settlements across Kenya, improving their health, wellness, and education. This innovative project empowers teenage mothers through advocacy at family, community, and institutional levels, providing educational pathways, safe spaces, and psychosocial support.
“We have seen the impact of this project in our community over time,” said Siama Yusuf, CFK Africa’s Senior Program Officer for Girls Empowerment. “Through the Funzo Project’s targeted community outreach, we’ve successfully reduced the stigmatization of teenage mothers and ensured community leaders and education administrators understand this fundamental right to education.”
The addition of vocational training reflects CFK Africa’s commitment to meeting the diverse needs of teenage mothers and ensuring their success.
Young mothers will participate in apprenticeship training in fields like plumbing, electrical training, and automotive mechanics according to their interests. By focusing on hands-on training and skill development, the project opens new doors for young women for whom traditional secondary school is not an option, fostering financial independence, personal growth, and more stable futures.
CFK Africa’s groundbreaking work in gaining community-wide support for teenage mothers has set the stage for other community organizations to implement similar initiatives.
“We applaud our partners who are supporting girls and young mothers in overcoming obstacles to achieve their dreams,” said CFK Africa Executive Director Jeffrey Okoro. “We are united in the belief that every mother deserves the chance to succeed.”
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About CFK Africa
Founded in 2001, CFK Africa works to empower youth by improving public health and economic prosperity in informal settlements in Kenya through integrated health and youth leadership initiatives. Using a participatory development approach, the organization works directly with community residents to develop and implement sustainable programs. After marking 20 years of service in Kibera in 2021, CFK began expanding to 25 informal settlements across eight counties in Kenya, including Kajiado, Kiambu, Kilifi, Kisumu, Machakos, Mombasa, Nairobi, and Nakuru. For more information, visit www.cfkafrica.org.