Stories of Resilience from Teenage Mothers in Kenya’s Slums
Welcome to the Still, I Rise website. We are so glad you are here.
This project amplifies the voices of young mothers living in Nairobi’s slums, who have demonstrated extraordinary resilience in the face of difficult circumstances.
This project exists because these girls chose to be seen and heard, so that other girls around the world might feel less alone. We hope that their stories increase understanding of teenage pregnancy in slums, and that this site serves as a beacon of hope for any teenage mother in need.
Siama Yusuf, CFK Africa
Charlotte Barcott, Student Volunteer
28 teenage mothers in CFK Africa’s Funzo Project have spent the past year reclaiming their narratives and writing their stories for a collective book.
This site provides a behind-the-scenes look at the Still, I Rise project and offers accessible resources for teenage mothers worldwide.
Join us on August 7 at the Circle Gallery in Nairobi, Kenya, and on October 10 at The Casey in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA, for book launch events.
Adolescent pregnancy in Kenya is rising. Extreme poverty, limited access to reproductive health services, and daily exposure to violence leave girls at risk.
cases of teenage pregnancy were recorded in Kenya in 2025.
million women in Kenya report experiencing gender-based violence in their lifetime.
of girls in Kibera report not feeling safe walking around their community at night.
We believe that all mothers deserve access to reliable maternal and child health information. We hope that this list of curated resources will support new moms in their motherhood journey.
Preview two stories selected from Still, I Rise. The authors spent the past year writing their narratives through creative workshops and participating in specialized psychosocial support programming.
Hilda refuses to let the label of “teen mom” define her. A resilient young woman from Kibera, she has never lost her determination to pursue education and build a better future. After becoming a mother at 17, she now draws strength from her daughter and dreams boldly of leading change in her community.
Ashley is a determined young woman from Mukuru kwa Njenga who has overcome the challenges of becoming a teenage mother to reclaim her education and rebuild her sense of purpose. She is committed to raising her son and to helping other girls find their voices.
We believe that all mothers deserve access to reliable maternal and child health information. We hope this list of freely accessible, curated online resources will support new moms on their motherhood journey, no matter their circumstances.
Take a behind-the-scenes look at the making of Still, I Rise, including a writers’ retreat held in Kajiado, Kenya, notably the first time most of these girls had ever left their slum communities. Participating young mothers are in CFK Africa’s Girls Empowerment Program, which addresses and removes barriers that prevent girls in slums from making informed decisions about their lives.
