Mariam lives with her children in precarious conditions in rural Mwanza on Lake Victoria. She grew up with five siblings with her mother and often had to go hungry.
to bed. While selling nuts, she met a man 10 years older than her. He gave her food, school supplies and promised her a better life. She got involved with him, became pregnant at 17 and had to leave school. After the birth of her second child, her husband left her and took all her belongings with him.

In our program for young mothers, she receives support. She learns to accept her situation, take care of her children and create a perspective for herself. In a two-part course, she acquires knowledge about health and contraception as well as computer and business management skills for her own business. Today, Mariam sells cooked corn at the bus stop and vegetables in the neighborhood. The income is still not enough for a dignified life. She works hard at it. Her dream is to have her own restaurant. Mariam talks to other young women about contraception and rights and encourages them to start their own business.