Cyrine engaging students in a Migori County school.
At the Nyamasare Dispensary in Migori County, Kenya, 22-year-old Cyrine stood confidently at the center of a peer counseling session, passionately guiding local schoolgirls through an open discussion about reproductive health.
Fielding questions ranging from “Will I become fat?” to “Will the method I choose move around in my body?”, Cyrine dispelled myths and openly addressed sensitive topics like reproductive rights, mental health, nutrition, and teen pregnancy – issues often stigmatized in her community.
Drawing from personal experience, Cyrine answered their questions with clarity and honesty. She became pregnant at 16, wishing someone had educated her about contraception before that life-altering event. Her story mirrors those of many girls in her community, where unplanned pregnancies often crush dreams. When news of her pregnancy spread, the stigma hit hard – her father labeled her “dirty,” friends and relatives withdrew, and her hopes of becoming a nurse seemed shattered.
Fortunately, Cyrine met Duncan Kikuma, a nurse trained through Migori County’s collaboration with The Challenge Initiative (TCI). After receiving coaching in TCI’s adolescent-friendly reproductive health services intervention, Duncan provided Cyrine with counseling and a renewed sense of hope. He encouraged Cyrine to return to school, reassuring her that motherhood didn’t mean the end of her dreams.
Reflecting on his training, Duncan shared:
The training I received from TCI taught me to be more sensitive and effective and tailor my services to be adolescent-friendly. It has improved my communication skills with adolescents as well.”
Teen pregnancy remains a pressing issue in Migori County. According to the 2022 Kenya Demographic Health Survey, the teenage pregnancy rate stands at 22% – much higher than the national average of 15%. Globally, the World Health Organization reports that 21 million girls aged 15–19 in developing regions become pregnant annually, with 12 million giving birth.
After giving birth, Cyrine’s mother became her biggest supporter, enabling her to return to school. With counseling, she adopted a contraceptive method after her son’s birth. While her dream of becoming a nurse shifted, she pursued training as a Community Social Worker and began volunteering as a peer counselor. A local organization trained her on modern contraception, gender-based violence, mental health, and referral processes for health facilities.
Her lived experience has opened many doors. Organizations now invite her to counsel young people, and she frequently returns to her former school to lead health talks on reproductive health, mental health, and gender-based violence.
Cyrine now visits schools, colleges, and community gatherings to educate youth about modern contraception, bust myths, and share accurate information. For her, this work is personal – she doesn’t want other young people to face the same challenges she endured.
Speaking proudly about her five-year-old son, Cyrine shared:
I named him Ryan after a famous football player. My hope is that he will finish school and have a successful football career.”
