From shame to strength: Saumu’s journey to independence

At just 17, Saumu Mwaka’s life changed dramatically. A high school student full of dreams, she found herself pregnant, alone, scared, and silenced by stigma in her small rural community.

“I was ashamed, depressed, and didn’t know where to go,” she recalls.

Accessing health services was not an option—the nearest facility did not offer youth-friendly care, and the fear of judgment loomed large. Her family, already struggling financially, could not afford to support her. The mental toll of her isolation deepened.

However, a spark of hope arrived through Youth for a Sustainable World (YSW). Saumu was invited to a peer learning session led by Violet, a peer educator known in the community for both her knowledge and empathy. Saumu hesitated at first—uncertain and afraid—but something about Violet’s presence broke through the silence. That day changed everything.

Violet provided Saumu with more than just information—she offered understanding, dignity, and support. Through YSW’s SRHR sessions, Saumu learned about her body, her rights, and her options.

“Violet helped me see I wasn’t alone,” she says. “She didn’t just tell me about services—she walked with me to the health facility and stayed with me through it all.”

YSW’s impact didn’t stop with personal support. Young people’s advocacy led to the establishment of a Youth-Friendly Center within the local health facility—a safe space designed with young people like Saumu in mind.

YSW trained healthcare providers to deliver respectful, non-judgmental services tailored to the unique needs of adolescents and youth. With this transformation, the fear that once kept Saumu away was replaced by trust and access. For the first time, she felt seen, heard, and safe.

With Violet’s constant support, Saumu received prenatal care, safe delivery assistance, and crucial postpartum contraceptive counselling that empowered her to make informed choices for her future. She now uses a method that suits her lifestyle, and she speaks openly about how it has helped her regain control over her life.

In addition to receiving SRHR information, Saumu attended YSW’s entrepreneurship training sessions. Here, she was introduced to financial literacy and learned essential business skills, including entrepreneurship principles and how to develop effective business plans.

Armed with this knowledge, she started a kibanda (a small food stall) business, using savings from washing clothes in the neighborhood. Today, she is financially independent and has even employed two of her sisters to help run the business.

“I used to think my life was over,” Saumu says, holding her healthy toddler with a quiet confidence. “But now, I’m making money, making decisions, and showing my sisters—and my baby—that we’re allowed to dream again.”