By Francis Kioki
June 23/ 2024
Yesterday, Kalindilo Secondary School was the venue for a crucial consultative meeting where education stakeholders convened to tackle the escalating issues of teenage pregnancy and drug abuse among local youth. The forum aimed to find solutions to the alarming dropout rates that are increasing illiteracy levels in the region.
The meeting, held in the heart of Kitui West’s Kalindilo area, saw a significant turnout of concerned parents, teachers, and community leaders. The stakeholders voiced their concerns about the rising number of girls leaving school due to teenage pregnancies and boys engaging in drug use, particularly bhang and muguka, leading to disruptive behaviors and school dropouts.
Dr. Vincent Munyoki, the founder of the Vincent Munyoki Foundation, was a keynote speaker at the event. In his speech, Dr. Munyoki highlighted the dire state of teenage pregnancies and drug abuse, attributing these issues partly to the absence of paternal guidance in many households. He emphasized the critical role fathers play in the upbringing and behavior of their children and urged them to step up and share the responsibilities with mothers.
“Teenage pregnancies in this area are often a result of young girls receiving basic necessities like sanitary pads from strangers, who then exploit their vulnerability,” Dr. Munyoki stated. He explained that these predatory acts leave the girls pregnant and abandoned, thrusting them into early motherhood and forcing them to fend for themselves and their children under challenging circumstances.
Dr. Munyoki called on parents to be more vigilant and supportive of their children’s needs to prevent such exploitation. He stressed the importance of providing for their children to shield them from the predatory behavior of unscrupulous individuals.
The consultative meeting also included an uplifting moment when Dr. Munyoki distributed modern school bags to the pupils in attendance.
The joy on the faces of the young beneficiaries was palpable, reflecting their renewed determination to pursue education and secure a better future. Parents and teachers alike expressed their gratitude to Dr. Munyoki for his continuous support and philanthropic efforts not only in Kalindilo but across the entire Kitui West constituency.
The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment from all stakeholders to work collaboratively towards reducing teenage pregnancies and drug abuse, ensuring that every child in Kitui West has the opportunity to complete their education and build a brighter future.
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