Kilifi county is one among the poorest counties in Kenya. According to the Kenya Poverty Report (2021), Kilifi has a poverty rate of 49.2%. The residents of this county face a myriad of challenges and the young people are not spared. Poverty exacerbates school dropouts and the subsequent child labour. For the girls especially, those unable to attend school due to lack of school fees, face early marriage, teenage pregnancy and others turn to sex work in an effort to earn a living.
Mercy is a form two student at Kiwandani Secondary School in Kilifi County, where 59 girls are currently enrolled in the Tiko Education Support Programme. She joined the school in February 2024 and is the eldest of three triplets who now live with their aunt in a small village in the outskirts of Kilifi town. When Mercy completed her primary school education she, like many of her peers, eagerly anticipated joining high school and ultimately pursue her dream of becoming a nurse. However, financial constraints posed a significant obstacle.
Mercy was introduced to the Tiko Programme by a community mobiliser. Through the Tiko Education Support Programme in partnership with The Children’s Investment Fund Foundation, Mercy is now able to continue with her education. Tiko works with mobilisers from community based organizations or community health promoters who do a needs assessment before enlisting the girls in the programme. Mercy vividly recalls the excitement of her first day at Kiwandani Secondary School, where she met familiar faces – girls from her village who were also part of that school. She felt a renewed sense of purpose. Stepping into the classroom, she knew she was one step closer to fulfilling her dream of becoming a nurse and to top it all off, her twin sister had also joined the school.
“If it were not for the Tiko Programme, I could have dropped out of school because my family is unable to afford school fees.”
Since inception of the programme in 2024, Tiko aims to support 4000 girls aged 15-19 years from vulnerable households in Kilifi County to access uninterrupted education. This will lower the risk of school drop-out due to lack of support to transition to secondary education.
“When Tiko came to our school, they supported 74 girls, 15 of whom were form fours. These girls face many challenges, and early marriage is key among them. The Tiko Education Programme ensures the girls stay in school and complete their basic education.”
-Grace Mumbi,
Principal Kiwandani Secondary School
Each girl in the programme is issued a Tiko Card, a unique identifier that allows the girls to access essential school supplies, clothing and sanitary pads. Beyond academic support, girls also have access to free Sexual Reproductive Health and Mental Health services.
Mercy’s story is just one among thousands of girls whose dreams hang in the balance due to financial hardship. By investing in education and ensuring that vulnerable girls are not left behind, the Tiko Education Support Programme is not only changing lives ‘one girl at a time’ – it is working towards breaking cycles of poverty and empowering this generation to learn, grow and build a better future. When girls like Mercy get the education they deserve, the impact extends far beyond the classroom – it transforms entire communities.
*This story was written by Tiko with consent from Mercy.