A journey of service
to families in Kenya
- one by one

  
Young Mothers Program
 

The Young Mothers Program was established by Moja Moja as a vocational readiness and training program to address the specific needs of five single mothers from Kibera, each with a small child.  Having worked informally with the women for over six months, they all expressed an interest in doing something more specific to prepare themselves to earn a living for themselves and their child.

Though Moja Moja usually works with individuals, one at a time, all five of these mothers had the same needs.  So in March 2003, Moja Moja began it's first group effort, the Young Mothers Program.  We started with a formal classroom setting to teach them the discipline and academic skills they would need to succeed in an regimented vocational training program.

One of the mothers, is studying
to be a chef.  She will finish her
training in September 2006
  

Updated April 2005

     Vocational Readiness

	Each mother completed 7 months of
	academic study with our own teacher
	Two of the women also attended
	night school to supplement their learning
	before beginning vocational training

      Vocational Training

NURSERY SCHOOL TEACHER
	1 year program
	Graduated from teaching program in
	November 2004
	Graduated from 11th grade in evening
	school in November 2004
	Graduated from Moja Moja, Jan. 2005
	Continuing with 12th grade in 2005
	prepaid by Moja Moja
HAIRDRESSING
	6 month program
	Completed course in October 2004
	Graduated from Moja Moja, Dec. 2004
HAIRDRESSING & BEAUTY TREATMENT
	Two programs, totaling 10 months in all
	Graduated in hairdressing in July 2004
	Completed beauty treatment (esthetics)
	in December 2004
	Graduated from Moja Moja, Dec. 2004
LANGUAGE IMPROVEMENT
	English language improvement program
	Completed 2nd term in December 2004
	Graduated from Moja Moja, Dec. 2004
FOOD PREPARATION
	Completed 9 months of training including
	4 months of practical hotel experience
	when school burned down and closed
	Began 2 year program in October 2004
	Anticipated completion in Sept. 2006
	Currently in attachment in a premier
	hotel restaurant

Seven months later, the first of our five mothers was placed in an established vocational program within Nairobi.  Within several months, with the assistance of friends and family from the U.S.A., Moja Moja had placed all 5 mothers in private vocational training programs of their choice. Vocational sponsorship paid for tuition and school supplies (often including uniforms and some school clothes), bus money, lunch money and a small allowance.  In addition, Moja Moja provided the woman and their children with most of their medical care, and assisted other family members as well.

As of December 2004, all but one of the mothers had finished her vocational training and had "graduated" from our assistance.