In late 2023, Emily* stood proudly among her peers, celebrating the completion of her Form 4 education. Like many girls her age, she had dreams of joining college, starting a career, and building a better life for herself and her family. The future seemed bright.
But within a year, her life took a different turn.
“I found out I was pregnant. It broke me,” Emily says. “I was depressed and stressed, constantly wondering how I would raise a baby on my own. ”Her world crumbled further when the father of her unborn child not only denied responsibility but violently forced her out of his home. With nowhere to go and no one to turn to, Emily ended up on the streets, carrying the weight of her pregnancy and her shattered dreams. Giving birth while homeless was a traumatic experience. Every day was a battle. Finding food, staying safe, and protecting her newborn. “There were times I didn’t know if we’d survive the night,” she says. “I felt invisible. Forgotten.”
Through outreach in Machakos community, Nairobi, Emily was introduced to Tiko. For the first time in months, Emily felt seen. Tiko linked her to a youth-friendly clinic where she received comprehensive counselling on contraception, HIV prevention, mental health, and child support services. The care was at no cost, stigma-free, and tailored to her needs. By rating service providers, Emily was able to earn Tiko miles and purchase essential products at her local retailer.
“Being in a space where I wasn’t judged changed everything. I began to believe I could start over,” she shares.
Recognising the importance of economic empowerment, Tiko also connected Emily to skills training in barbering and hairdressing. “I chose cosmetology because I’ve always loved beauty and creativity. It felt like something I could excel in.”
Today, Emily is smiling. She’s completing her cosmetology certification and is already earning a small income from braiding and barbering in her community. Her dream? To open her own salon and create a safe space for other young girls like her.
“Tiko helped me turn my pain into purpose. I now speak to other girls about their rights, about protecting themselves, and about believing in their worth even when life knocks them down.” Emily continues to access accurate, up-to-date information on health and wellbeing through Tiko’s digital platform. When young people overcome challenges and break through social and financial barriers, they become unstoppable forces of change.
Founded in 2014, Tiko is an African non-profit organisation that enhances the potential and fosters the resilience of adolescent girls and young women in sub-Saharan Africa by addressing the critical “Triple Threat”: teenage pregnancy, HIV, and sexual and gender-based violence Leveraging a technology-enabled, community-driven approach, Tiko collaborates with local and national health systems to drive sustainable, transformative change.
*Name changed to protect identity.