Balak teen mothers find sponsorship

Chithyola: We target teen mothers

BY WATIPASO MZUNGU JNR
Balaka teen mothers who thought their future is doomed forever have another chance opened for them to return to school next term with full sponsorship from Chinansi Foundation for Rural Development.

Chinansi executive director Simplex Chithyola said in an interview Saturday that his organization has sourced funding from a Canada-based Stephen Lewis Foundation for the cause.

Chithyola explained that some of the teen mothers have already been identified in Mpezeni, Pilitu, Sawali and Mthumba Villages all in the area of STA in the district. The targeted beneficiaries are of 12—25 years old who fall in the group of orphaned and vulnerable children (OVCs)

“We want to encourage teen mothers to go back to school by paying their school fees. Most teen mothers think pregnancy means the end of their future, but this is not the case,” he said.

“We want them to know that there is still hope for better life even though,” added Chithyola.

Balaka is one of the districts in the country where the problem of teen prostitution is high resulting to a rise in the number of teen mothers because most of the teen prostitutes do not negotiate for safe sex for fear of losing the customers.

Chithyola attributed the problem to the cultures there, which he said are influencing young girls to marry or engage in premarital sex.

The Chinansi boss blamed the problem on lack of OVC-friendly policies in the country and has since indicated that his organization will start advocating for OVC-friendly policies and effective implementation of those policies.

“We believe in the philosophy of providing simple solutions that make big changes for a better life,” said Chithyola.

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