The Kemi-Zola Project

Kemi-Zola

Goal: To provide holistic, compassionate support to parents, especially young mothers, who experience miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant loss, ensuring they have the resources to heal and rebuild their lives.

Background

Many women, particularly in low-resource settings, face high rates of miscarriage, stillbirth, and infant mortality due to inadequate prenatal care, poor nutrition, and social stigma. Globally, adolescent women are at even greater risk, with pregnancy and childbirth complications remaining the leading cause of death for girls aged 15–19, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

The loss of a child can be devastating, and for adolescent moms and marginalized women, this trauma is often intensified by age, limited support systems, and societal judgment. Research from UNICEF highlights that these women face fewer economic opportunities, reduced access to mental health services, and a heightened risk of social isolation, making the grieving and healing process even more challenging.

Recognizing these vulnerabilities, the Kemi-Zola program seeks to bridge the gaps in practical assistance, mental health care, and community support. By providing grief counseling, financial aid for memorial services, and peer support networks, Kemi-Zola empowers teen moms and women to navigate loss with dignity, resilience, and hope.

Our Approach: Core Objectives

Our program is designed to provide comprehensive support to grieving parents, focusing on both emotional and practical needs.

Emotional and Mental Health Support

  • Grief Counseling: Offer individual and group therapy sessions, led by licensed professionals specializing in bereavement, to guide parents through their grief journey.

  • Peer Support Programs: Connect grieving parents with others who have experienced similar losses, fostering community, understanding, and collective healing.

  • Psychosocial Training for Caregivers: Conduct workshops for family members and community health workers to enhance their ability to provide emotional support to bereaved parents.

Practical and Financial Assistance

  • Memorial & Burial Support: Provide financial assistance to cover basic funeral costs, transportation, or burial fees, helping parents honor their child without overwhelming financial burdens.

  • Resource Coordination: Partner with local hospitals, social services, and community organizations to simplify the process of paperwork, hospital releases, and memorial arrangements, ensuring a smoother experience for parents during a difficult time.

Community Engagement & Awareness

  • Advocacy & Awareness Campaigns: Organize community forums and media initiatives to destigmatize infant loss and promote open dialogue on maternal health and bereavement.

  • Community-Led Support Circles: Facilitate ongoing, counselor-led grief support circles in areas with limited access to professional mental health services.

  • Empowerment & Advocacy: Equip those who have benefited from Kemi-Zola’s support to become advocates for improved maternal care policies and community outreach.