Gladys Waithera, did not envision being a mother as a teenager.

Getting pregnant in 2015 introduced her to a new chapter in her life; a chapter full of challenges.

But she had no option other than accepting to take care of her firstborn.

Coming from a humble background, Waithera reveals to Mtaa Wangu that life became worse after her parents separated due to domestic squabbles.

The suffering and struggles to take care of her firstborn saw her fall into a trap which lead to her getting second pregnancy.

"I was vulnerable and in need of help to take care of my child. When I met this man who promised to take care of me and my firstborn, I agreed to be with him only for him to leave me the second he learnt I was expecting a second child," she recalls.

With the second born, her struggles escalated. She had to work hard and meet the needs of her children.

However, two years ago, her two sons were found involved in repetitive petty offences. Unable to tame them, Waithera took them to a juvenile rehabilitation centre in Naivasha.

Now a mother of three (two sons and a daughter), she relies on casual jobs such as laundry work to meet her needs.

"A friend of mine saw what I was going through and decided to offer me accommodation together with my four-year-old daughter," she said.

The soft-spoken Waithera prides herself in being a mother adding that her prayer is that one day she will get a good job so that she can take care of her children without having to rely on casual jobs or well-wishers.

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Down but not out; Waithera shares the struggles of being a teen mom

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Pristone Mambili