In Mathare, one of Nairobi’s largest informal settlements, 16-year-old Amina’s childhood was shaped by daily struggles. The sights and sounds of her community tell stories of resilience, but also of hardship. Poverty weighed on her family, school was often disrupted by the lack of resources, and the streets she walked were not always safe. For many girls like Amina, the future often feels written before it begins.
By age 15, Amina faced the “triple threat” that endagers countless girls across sub-Saharan Africa: unintended pregnancy, HIV, and sexual and gender-based violence. These are not abstract risks, they are lived realities. In Kenya, 15% of girls aged 15–19 are pregnant, and in Nairobi’s informal settlements, more than 4 in 10 pregnancies among young women are unintended. Across Eastern and Southern Africa, adolescent girls are six times more likely to acquire HIV than boys. Amina was not alone; she was one of many fighting to survive and rise.
When she became pregnant, her world seemed to collapse. The stigma from neighbors, whispers from classmates, and the heavy silence at home left her isolated. She withdrew, believing her dreams of finishing school had slipped away forever.
But Amina’s story did not end there. She was introduced to Tiko’s girl-centered and integrated programmes in Mathare. In a safe space facilitated by empathetic Tiko mentors, Amina found a community. She found understanding, dignity, and the courage to hope again.
Through Tiko’s support, Amina accessed essential services. She was tested for HIV, provided with accurate sexual health information, and received care delivered with respect. With counselling and mentorship, she slowly rebuilt her confidence. Most importantly, she discovered her voice.
Today, Amina is back in school, reclaiming her dreams. She has stepped into a new role not just as a survivor, but as a leader. Now a peer mentor, she speaks boldly to other girls about their rights. The right to safety, to education, to health, and to make informed choices about their bodies and futures.
“I thought my life was finished,” Amina says. “But Tiko reminded me that I am not alone, and that I still have a future. Now, I want other girls in Mathare to know they are not alone either.”
Beatrice Wango, Tiko’s Innovation Director, reflects on why Amina’s story matters so deeply:
“At Tiko, innovation means creating new pathways for girls to excel, with safe spaces, access to health services, and mentorship. But we also know that Amina’s story represents a much bigger picture. These are not just statistics, they are stories of lost potential, of interrupted childhoods, and of voices silenced too soon. That is why Amina’s resilience matters. Her journey shows us that when a girl is supported, when she is given tools to dream, heal, and lead, she not only reclaims her future but also inspires an entire community to rise with her. Investing in girls like Amina disrupts cycles of despair and builds pathways of hope for generations to come.”
Amina’s voice now carries far beyond her school or her neighbourhood. She is living proof that when girls are seen, heard, and supported, they become catalysts for change for entire communities.
*This story was written by Tiko with consent from Amina.