Hanna: “I thought my future was over. But the Chipembere team told me I still have a right to learn, ….
At just 18 years old, Hanna found herself facing the challenges of teenage motherhood in Gomani village, under Traditional Authority (T/A) Juma in Mulanje district.
Her once-bright dream of becoming a nurse dimmed when she dropped out of Standard 8 at Chifide Primary School due to pregnancy, facing stigma, isolation, and immense pressure from her peers and community.
However, hope returned through the intervention of Chipembere Community Development Organization (CCDO), under the “Raising Voices for Change: A Summon to Promote SRHR Access in Rural Mulanje” initiative.
This project aims to increase individual awareness of SRHR, including safe abortion as a human right, and improve understanding and confidence among adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) to demand their reproductive health rights.
Hanna was identified during an SRHR outreach session facilitated by CCDO peer educators. The sessions focused on informing young people about their sexual and reproductive health rights and challenging harmful societal norms that often silence or shame young mothers.
“I thought my future was over. But the Chipembere team told me I still have a right to learn, even as a mother. That has given me strength,” Hanna shared.
CCDO provided counseling to both Hanna and her family and engaged community leaders in sensitization meetings to promote second chances for young mothers. These efforts helped shift perspectives and create a supportive environment around Hanna’s return to school.
Now preparing to resume her studies in Standard 8, Hanna is not only regaining her confidence but also becoming an example of resilience for other AGYW in her community. Her parents now help care for her baby while she focuses on her education.
“I come from a poor family where my parents cannot afford even the basics. This was one of the reasons I became vulnerable and engaged in early sexual activity. But with the right support, I am determined to make my dream of becoming a nurse come true,” she explained.
Hanna’s journey illustrates the powerful impact of rights-based, community-rooted SRHR programming. By increasing awareness and building confidence among AGYW, organizations like CCDO are helping girls reclaim their futures.
Hanna’s story is a reminder that with knowledge, support, and opportunity, every girl deserves and can have a second chance.