Mentor Mothers: Unlocking Self-Acceptance Among Adolescent Mothers Living with HIV

“I have seen a big change in the girls once they start accepting themselves and doing everything they need to live a healthy life,” says Cecilia Achieng.

Cecilia, a mentor mother linked to the Vipingo Health Facility, plays a vital role in supporting adolescent mothers living with HIV (AMLHIV). For many of these young girls, learning that they are both pregnant and HIV-positive can be devastating. Confusion, fear, and depression often follow the diagnosis.

“It is my duty to support them and give them hope—that everything is not lost,” she explains.

Her role becomes even more critical when girls begin to withdraw. “One of the girls stopped coming to the health facility. She ended up at a private hospital, which reached out to me. Unfortunately, her child was infected with HIV due to poor adherence to medication,” Cecilia recalls.

Through gentle, consistent support, Cecilia helped the young mother return to treatment and better care for her child.

Cecilia’s work doesn’t stop at the health facility. She visits the girls at home, checking in on their well-being and providing continued guidance. Their conversations cover everything from adherence to medication to their children’s health.

“When we start, most of them are afraid to disclose their status—to their partners, to their families. But by the time we’re done, especially after going through the training provided by Youth for a Sustainable World (YSW), they are more confident and better placed to accept themselves,” she adds.

Beyond one-on-one support, Cecilia also engages with the wider community. She participates in barazas and school sessions, raising awareness on the importance of ending stigma against AMLHIV.

Having undergone training herself, Cecilia is equipped with comprehensive knowledge on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), including contraception, HIV prevention, and gender-based violence. “This has enabled me to support these girls with the nuance and sensitivity they need,” she says.

Thanks to the tireless work of Cecilia and other mentor mothers, AMLHIV are gradually reclaiming their agency—living with confidence, dignity, and hope, free from self and community stigma.

ABOUT RTLG

The RTLG project, implemented by Youth for A Sustainable World in Kilifi and Migori counties, aims to enhance the health and well-being of adolescent mothers living with HIV and their children. Through initiatives, the project sought to increase access to integrated SRH services, promote agency to access basic rights, and foster resilience and independence.