At Kenya's Greenland Girls School, 19-year-old Valerie Wairimu spends her break time not resting, but visiting the on-site nursery. There, nannies care for her baby, Kayden, allowing her to feed him between classes. This nursery is a key feature that makes the school unique.
Greenland Girls School is the only educational institution in Kenya dedicated to teenage mothers. It serves 310 students and cares for over 80 babies and toddlers. Experts praise it as a model for reintegrating young mothers into education. 'When I found that I was pregnant, I didn’t have anywhere else to go,' said Wairimu, who aspires to become a doctor.
Founded in 2015 by the non-profit Shining Hope for Communities, the boarding school has helped hundreds of girls complete secondary education while supporting their children. Many alumni now work in professions such as government and medicine. Most students come from Kajiado County or are referred by teachers across Kenya.
Many students come from difficult backgrounds, with some pregnancies resulting from sexual assault or forced marriage. 'Some of the challenges which the students encounter are the family and the community,' said school manager Paul Mukilya. The school provides psychological counselling and mentorship, and staff teach mothering skills. 'Some of the mothers view their children as a burden,' said caregiver Caroline Mumbai.
Teenage pregnancy is a pressing issue in Kenya: more than 125,000 live births in 2024 were by mothers under 19. Greenland is opening a second campus in Kilifi County to meet demand. Students value the stigma-free environment. 'The moment I came here, I was received with love,' said Mary Wanjiku, 20, who hopes to become a lawyer.
