Established in August 2021, the Health and Economic Development Strategy Organization (HEDSO) is a Community Based Organization dedicated to championing the rights and addressing the distinctive challenges faced by adolescent girls, young women, and youths in rural communities along the Lake Victoria beaches and sugar belt areas in western Kenya. HEDSO recognizes obstacles hindering these groups from realizing their full potential, encompassing both health and economic spheres. Through a dual focus on enhancing health and fostering economic empowerment, HEDSO envisions a healthy and economically empowered Society free from socio-Economic   and environmental injustices. HEDSO pursues its mission through integrated health initiatives, skills and knowledge development, human rights advocacy, climate change action, and strategic partnerships through economic empowerment model that contribute to a more equitable and inclusive community. #WeareHEDSO #EducateEmpowerEradicate

Project title: Economic Integration of Teenage Mothers

Project Goals

To significantly reduce the incidences of sexual gender based violence’s and teen pregnancies in Kisumu county and Homabay county sugar belt areas and beaches by providing economic empowerment to 300 young mothers between the age 14-24.

Project Summary

Kenya has experienced a consistent spike in teenage pregnancies in the past decade. Within the past two years, the COVID-19 pandemic, the lockdown, and reduced movements have added to these alarming numbers. A higher percentage of these pregnancies will result in an increased number of teenage mothers in the counties. Teenage pregnancies among school girls are a leading cause of school dropout rates (accounting for about 25% of dropouts in sub-Saharan Africa). Yet, evidence shows that each extra year a girl stays in school increases their future earnings by 10-20%. Missing out on this opportunity means socio-economic deprivation and a burden to these marginalized groups of girls in living decent lives and providing a safety net for their children.

While there has been some focus at the policy level, Health And economic Development Strategy organization recognizes the problems faced by teenage including deterioration of their mental health, poverty, vulnerability to sexual and gender-based violence, and discrimination in access to education. Our focus is therefore to provide 12-month cost-effective and community-led interventions to 300 teenage mothers across Kisumu and Homabay counties to address this menace that is holding back girls from maximizing their full potential. HEDSO have adopted an integrated approach of proven interventions to improve the quality of life of 300 teenage mothers in Kisumu and Homabay counties. This project aims to create economic opportunities for adolescent mothers by incubating and accelerating visionary teenage mothers who already have scalable social ventures or ideas, existing small-scale businesses, and differentiated products or services. The project equip them with social entrepreneurship training, self-belief, and financial literacy.

 Secondly, the project provide support for vocational and handy skills training designed through a safe space model, where the girls will provide psychosocial support to each other as they learn. HEDSO then provide them with a start-up kit on a revolving basis, depending on the acquired skills, to enable them to earn a living within their communities, and enroll in social protection services offered by the government. We also provide training on financial literacy and the formation of village savings groups. The project also seeks comprehensive environment and health education, including age appropriate sex education and nutritional advice. This holistic approach integrate social protection aspects that protect them from life shocks, including diseases or drought in some areas. It strengthen their socioeconomic status by enhancing their life and business management skills, building strategic linkages, and supporting advocacy actions to increase their participation in public decision-making processes.