Giving teen moms a second chance
Rays of Hope is giving teen moms in the community a second chance at life and at education with its workshops and support group.
Being a teenage mother brings about a number of challenges such as discrimination, stigmatisation and rejection.
It is, therefore, possible for a teen mom to give birth without the necessary preparations for the baby’s needs on the day of delivery and beyond.
In an effort to help prepare these young mothers-to-be and show them that they are not alone, Rays of Hope recently partnered with Little Ashford Schools, the St Mungo’s Methodist Church, Donor See and many other organisations to host its first baby shower and support group for eight pregnant young mothers from the surrounding community.
According to Rays of Hope programme manager Bertha Muchadeyi, partnerships such as these will go a long way in not only helping to support these young expecting mothers but also to help educate more young girls in the community to break the cycle of teenage pregnancy.
“The teen mothers will be getting mentor buddies from the parents and teachers at the school who will walk a journey by offering support and guidance on how to be present and conscious parents, how to get back on track with school and give them job-shadowing opportunities or even holiday part-time work to earn an income so that they do not continue to be dependent on men.”
She added that young women attending the workshops will explore various topics, such as the importance of investing in a child’s first 1 000 days.
“The teen moms will get an opportunity to take their children and play with them at the school [Little Ashford Schools] playgrounds, being exposed to different environments that foster the nurturing of a child,” said Muchadeyi.
Rays of Hope aims to get as much support for the teen moms so that it will enable them to focus on school, be better parents to their children, and prioritise proper nutrition and play for their children through different workshops and training.
The organisation is giving these teen moms a second chance at life, at education, a second chance to dream against and see their dreams come true.
“Teen moms are always discriminated against, ostracised, and judged without being given the opportunity to correct their mistakes. This partnership will enable Rays of Hope to bring hope to the lives of many teen moms who feel and have been told that they can never amount to anything.”
Details: Rays of Hope 066 180 0569.
Related articles:
https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/292064/the-rays-of-hope-foundation-aims-to-help-the-next-generation-of-great-mothers/
https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/305212/successful-ride-for-rays-of-hope/
