My dream is to depend on myself – Dorcas Mueni

Dorcas Mueni, 22, grew up in Kayole Soweto, Nairobi, with high hopes for her future. She performed well in school and qualified for secondary education. However, her dreams were abruptly halted when her parents could no longer afford her school fees.

“I wanted to continue with school but couldn’t, so I stayed at home for a whole year,” she recalls. “I felt bad about this, but I had no choice.”

After suffering constant emotional abuse, she eventually made the difficult decision to run away. “I couldn’t even get food. After a year, I met a man, and we decided to get married,” she shares. “Not going to school left me feeling hopeless, so marriage felt like the next best option.”

She moved in with her husband in Mukuru kwa Reuben area, but the relationship quickly deteriorated. When Dorcas suggested using condoms, her husband refused.

“So, we never used any,” she says. Just a month after their wedding, Dorcas discovered she was pregnant. When she informed him, he denied responsibility and left without a word.

Devastated, she returned to her parents after her in-laws asked for forgiveness on his behalf. “I kept asking myself—why do I need forgiveness?” she says.

With no income and a child to support, Dorcas faced extreme hardships. “I saw my life going downhill. My child felt like another burden.”

The turning point in her life came when she met peer educators from YOEP, who introduced her to comprehensive sexuality education. She later joined the Starlet Gems Youth Club, where she became a champion for SRHR among her peers.

Determined to change her life, she enrolled at the Sisbro Vocational Training Centre, where she completed a short course in food and beverage services. The Sisbros Foundation sponsored her training and later connected her to a job placement.

Today, Dorcas is an empowered young mother who financially supports her child while pursuing her dreams. “The main thing I’ve gained since joining is confidence. I used to look at the floor when people spoke to me. Now I can engage confidently and network with anyone.”

With her newfound knowledge and skills, Dorcas is now a peer educator, reaching out to young girls and sharing her experiences. “I teach them about family planning, how to use condoms, and other methods of contraception. I also encourage them to visit health facilities for services.”

With the support of YOEP, Dorcas envisions a bright future. “I’m happy to be part of this project. My dream is to educate my siblings while continuing with peer education. I can finally see my dreams coming true.”