One of URI’s newest Cooperation Circles (CCs) works actively in the vulnerable communities of Kenya, striving to provide new mothers with a better life.
In the communities of Kibera, Kenya, a group of 60 volunteers from Christian, Islamic, and Indigenous backgrounds work together under the name “Vision Young Mothers” to support young women after teen pregnancy.
“We have evolved from the need to reconcile our communities during the 2008 post-Election Violence, to organizing cleanups, to eventually focusing in on a young mothers support initiative, which is our identity and our purpose as of now,” says Aziza Muhamed, Vision Young Mothers co-founder.
By uniting diverse members of the community, Vision Young Mothers is able to integrate young mothers back into the community by offering health and economic support, as well as education on HIV/AIDS prevention.
This CC formed with the encouragement of Despina Namwembe, URI Great Lakes Region’s Regional Coordinator, as well as Youth Ambassador Nyambura Mundia.
“When Nyambura brought Ms. Despina to visit us and talked about URI’s women’s program, we saw the possibilities of being larger than we are,” says Aziza. “We felt honored and felt that URI was committed to the small things that mattered to our community.”
Vision Young Mothers have been working hard to provide critical support to those in need, but they are always looking for new partners and resources.
“We live in Kibera whose need for bridge building is massive; we are actively engaging with young mothers, but also partners with other groups on core matters affecting our community, primarily community peacebuilding activities.”
Visit Vision Young Mothers’ web page to reach them, or to learn more.
