Monitoring Visit Highlights Impact Of Rtlg In Migori

Youth for a Sustainable World and EACR conducted a joint monitoring visit in Rongo, Migori County to assess the progress of Reaching the Last Girl (RTLG) implementation as the project nears closure. The visit aimed to assess the progress of Adolescent Mothers Living with HIV (AMLHIV) in terms of resilience, agency and independence; review training conducted and their impact, as well as assess the progress of the reproductive assets distributed AMLHIV.

Through the FDGs, AMLHIVs shared personal experiences, describing how early pregnancy and their positive HIV status dealt a blow to their self-worth, resulting in self-stigma. They also highlighted how the RTLG project, through training and support, helped them address and eliminate self-stigma and increase their sense of self-worth.

“I got pregnant and knew of my status at the hospital. I was afraid and felt hopeless. It was a Community Health Promoter who visited and encouraged me to take medication and join the Reaching the Last Girl (RTLG) programme and reveal my status to my mum. The training enabled me to accept my status, gave me a support system of like-minded girls and encouraged us to start businesses,” said one of the mothers.

Some notable improvements mentioned by the AMLHIVs as a result include;

• Increased level of treatment adherence: most AMLHIVs attested self-improvement in taking medication, with their viral load suppressed.
• Reduced Mother-to-Child Transmission: Addressing self-stigma has led to the AMLHIVs adhering to the medical protocols and so far, no child under the project has tested positive.
• Reduced mental health issues among the AMLHIV; they reported reduced stress and anxiety.
• Empowered and confident AMLHIV: They have been able to disclose their status to their family members and partners. Through involvement of the caregivers and partners, relationships have been strengthened.
• Improved School attendance and re-entry for those school-going AMLHIV.
• Improved nutrition: They reported adopting healthier dietary practices for their children, which has contributed to better growth and development.
• Increased saving and financial discipline among AMLHIV through the Village savings and loan associations.

Through this empowerment, the young mothers can advocate for themselves and their children at all levels, including with the local government, and demand access to education, healthcare, and social services.