The Impact of Immediate Action - Purity Gikunda's Mission to Educate Teen Mothers in Kenya

Purity Gikunda

Co-founder of Greenland Girls' Schools in Kenya

Waiting for the perfect moment is how dreams collect dust. Progress starts when you take action, ready or not. This philosophy drives Purity Gikunda, co-founder of Greenland Girls Schools in Kenya, in her passionate mission to get teen mothers back into class as soon as possible.

The Birth of a Vision

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Purity embarked on what many considered a 'crazy idea' in mainstream Kenyan society. Her singular focus was to resurrect the dreams of as many young mothers as her capacity could allow. She began in Kajiado County, one of the areas worst affected by teen pregnancies, and has since made significant progress with the aim of establishing a Greenland school in each of Kenya's 47 counties.

Expanding Reach

At the time of writing, Purity has successfully opened schools in Kajiado, Makueni, Mt Kenya East, and Kilifi, with plans for more to follow. Each school offers a boarding facility for both the mother and the child. During the school day, dedicated kindergarten staff care for the children while their mothers attend classes. In the evenings and nights, mothers and children reunite in the dormitories. Greenland Girls' Schools are unique in Kenya, providing comprehensive support for teen mothers and their babies.

A Benchmarking Model

This approach introduces a benchmarking model that could be replicated across Kenya, the rest of Africa, and potentially the developing world, where teen pregnancies still carry significant stigma against adolescent girls and young women. Purity chose not to wait for the perfect moment or to be fully prepared. She started with what she had, however little, and the people she had around her, however few.

National Recognition

Today, the entire nation of Kenya sings Purity Gikunda's name like the national anthem, celebrating the impact of her work across diverse ethnic communities in such a short period. Once Purity completes the establishment of Greenland Girls Schools in each of Kenya's 47 counties, she plans to build Greenland University. This institution will prioritise girls and young women who have attended Greenland Girls Schools, as well as mothers from elsewhere who have faced similar trials and challenges, enabling them to complete their education and pursue meaningful careers.

Lesson to Learn:

Waiting for the perfect moment can lead to missed opportunities and stagnant dreams. Progress begins when you take action, regardless of readiness. Purity Gikunda's story exemplifies the power of immediate action and the profound impact it can have on transforming lives and communities.