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Naomi grew up in extreme poverty and had to drop out because of her teenage pregnancy. Despite facing immense tragedy and loss, Naomi has persisted and her life has transformed! She now says, "Having dropped out of school due to early pregnancy, I thought life had come to an end since I was struggling to raise my child. But through counseling at Neema I accepted myself and gained hope again. I learned how to read the Bible and pray. When I came to Neema, I used to do manual work for us to eat. But after gaining skills at Neema, I started my business which has helped me to provide for my family."

Winnie attended traditional school until 9th grade but had to drop out because she was living in extreme poverty. Her mother had passed away and her father abandoned the family. Like many vulnerable young women, she became pregnant. She now says, “Were it not for Neema, my life would have been shattered. Being an orphan and a young mother, I did not have direction in life. But by God’s grace, Neema became my second home and a parent to me. I have learned to heal from issues that I had for so long. I started helping my fellow students who were stressed by talking to them and offering a shoulder for them. I have learned so much, and I know my life will change.”

Lydia came from an unstable family living in abject poverty and had to drop out of school in 7th grade. By the time she joined Neema in 2017, she had three children. While there, she received counseling and was able to forgive herself and others who had hurt her.

After graduating, she started working and saving and eventually opened her own shop. Today, she supports herself, her children, and her parents, and when she gets lots of work, she hires other Neema alumni to work for her!

Life before Neema was hard for Benta. Her father was unsupportive, and her mother struggled to provide. Benta says they depended on casual labor and had a hard time acquiring food, let alone money for clothes and books. She had no choice but to drop out of school. She then became pregnant with her first child. 

The people of her village looked down on her. “They saw me like rubbish,” she says. But after coming to Neema, things changed. She says, “Now [they] respect me…and they use me to encourage their girls.” Since graduating, Benta continues to receive counseling and support through Neema’s alumni program.