Twelve Uasin Gishu Teen Mothers Graduate After Intensive Parenting Training
“The objective of this program has been clear: to enhance parenting skills, empower you with problem-solving techniques, and create a parenting manual that will serve as a guide for others,”
Twelve young mothers from Uasin Gishu graduated on Monday after completing a one-month intensive training program focused on parenting skills. The graduation ceremony was led by Peter Ruto, the County Director of Social Protection, and Dr. Lilian Ayiro from Connect Parenting Program Kenya.
Speaking at the event, Ruto highlighted that the training was part of a pilot parenting model developed in collaboration with experts from Moi and Maseno Universities. “The objective of this program has been clear: to enhance parenting skills, empower you with problem-solving techniques, and create a parenting manual that will serve as a guide for others,” he stated.
The training aimed to equip these young mothers with the necessary skills to navigate the complex challenges of raising teenagers in an era dominated by social media and rapid societal change. “As you step out today, you carry with you the tools and knowledge to address the unique challenges that teenagers face. You have been trained to understand and mitigate the impact of social media, to approach problems with a solution-oriented mindset, and to foster a nurturing environment that will allow your children to thrive,” Ruto added, expressing confidence that the teachings would not only strengthen their families but also contribute positively to the broader community.
Dr. Lilian Ayiro, representing the Connect Parenting Program, emphasized that the pilot program was designed to foster stronger relationships between parents and their teenage children. “The program was informed by a study which showed that many Kenyan parents were using harsh punishment on their children,” Dr. Ayiro noted.
She further explained that the study, initially conducted in Bungoma County, revealed significant insights into parenting practices. “We began the pilot program in Bungoma among the Luhya community, followed by Kisumu among the Luo, and finally Uasin Gishu among the Kalenjin. We chose these three communities because they are among the largest in Kenya, and we wanted to see if there were differences in parenting based on their experiences,” Dr. Ayiro explained.
The pilot program’s success in Uasin Gishu marks a significant step in promoting positive parenting practices and addressing the unique challenges faced by young mothers in the region.
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