"Being a single mother is not something I ever thought could happen"

My name is Jesinter Odhiambo. I’m twenty-two years old and I live in Kibera, an area called Katwekera. I’ve lived here for- since I was born. My child is two years old.

My son's father and I are not together at the moment. He’s supportive sometimes but he’ll refuse to give money sometimes, he’s difficult. He’s a footballer so I met him when he was playing ball. He’s also from this area.

I was able to get maternal care because here in Kibera there are many NGOs for youth mothers and CHPs- community health providers. They walk with you through the journey, they help you.

At first, I was afraid that my family would see me as a disappointment because I had just finished form four and got pregnant at nineteen. I didn't tell anyone and I stayed with the father until the day I went to give birth. That’s when my family came, they showed me support and they were there for me the whole time until my child was one month old.

Only my friends had known I was pregnant because my stomach wasn't even showing. This worried me but they told me at the antenatal clinic that it's okay. When I cam home, the community was surprised because they hadn’t seen a stomach bump.

Sometimes I’m a full-time mother and I depend on odd jobs that I get called for. I stand in for someone at her stall and we split the pay.

My dream job is data entry. I'm good with computer stuff. I’ve applied for many jobs but have never gotten a chance. So I'm constantly updating my CV and documents but no luck so far.

Luckily my family is here, my father is here. My family is supportive.

I wish that I could just have my own home, mine and the child. Since he is almost of age, I wish to also take him to a good school.

I don’t want to have more children. In my life I never planned that I’d have a child so one is enough.

I grew up in a family where my mum and dad never broke up or anything so I always thought that when you get a child with someone, you’ll be the two of you with your child.

But since I got a child things changed. It’s not something I’ve ever seen because all of my sisters have gotten married to the father of their children. It’s not something that I ever thought could happen. That’s something that I’ve learned. And I’ve also learned that as long as you’ve birthed a child, they’re yours. You are the mother, you have to be the provider and everything to this child.

I don’t know if I wish to get married.

I love art. I used to draw when I was in primary school but in high school they didn’t have classes for art so I stopped. But it’s something that I love doing.

To young mothers I can say that things aren’t as you think them to be but you get strong. Plan your future on your own, don’t put other people in the plans for your future. Do it on your own.

photographer's note

Jesinter was a shy and soft-spoken person and yet still so raw and honest. Her baby (Rocky) was the most “stubborn” child we worked with and I actually liked it! The children couldn’t give consent and he was well within his rights to act up. He put up a playful resistance by covering his face in every photo, running around or refusing to participate all together. This encouraged me to be more patient and creative with the process- and also flexible with ideas that weren’t working.

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