The Kemi-Zola Project

Kemi-Zola

Goal: To provide holistic, compassionate support to young mothers who experience miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant loss, ensuring that every grieving teen mother has the resources and community she needs to heal and rebuild her life.

Background of the Project

Globally, adolescent mothers face heightened risks during pregnancy and childbirth. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), complications in pregnancy and childbirth are the leading cause of death for girls aged 15–19 worldwide. In many low-resource settings, teenage mothers also experience higher rates of miscarriages, stillbirths, and infant mortality due to limited prenatal care, inadequate nutrition, and social stigma.

When a young mother loses a child, the emotional trauma is compounded by her age, limited support systems, and societal judgment. Research from UNICEF indicates that adolescent mothers often have fewer economic opportunities, reduced access to mental health services, and face a higher likelihood of social isolation. These factors make it even more challenging for them to cope with grief and begin the healing process.

Recognizing the profound vulnerability of these young mothers, the Kemi-Zola program seeks to fill the gaps in practical assistance, mental health care, and community support. By focusing on grief counseling, financial aid for memorial services, and peer support networks, Kemi-Zola aspires to empower young mothers to navigate loss with dignity, resilience, and hope.

Our Approach: Core Objectives

Objective 1: Emotional and Mental Health Support

  • Targeted Grief Counseling: Provide one-on-one and group therapy sessions facilitated by licensed professionals experienced in adolescent mental health and bereavement.

  • Peer Mentorship Programs: Connect grieving young mothers with peers who have experienced similar losses. These relationships help reduce isolation, promote shared understanding, and foster collective healing.

  • Psychosocial Training for Caregivers: Offer workshops for family members and community health workers, so they can better support the emotional needs of bereaved young mothers.

Practical and Financial Assistance

  • Memorial & Burial Support: Cover basic funeral costs, transportation, or burial fees to ensure young mothers can respectfully honor their lost child without insurmountable financial strain.

  • Counseling Fee Subsidies: Provide financial assistance for therapy sessions and mental health consultations, ensuring affordability and continued care.

  • Resource Coordination: Collaborate with local hospitals, social services, and community groups to streamline the process of paperwork, hospital releases, and memorial arrangements.

Community Engagement & Awareness

  • Advocacy & Awareness Campaigns: Organize community forums and media campaigns to destigmatize infant loss, especially among teenage mothers, and promote open dialogue on maternal health and bereavement.

  • Community-Led Support Circles: Train volunteers and lay counselors to lead ongoing community-based grief support circles, especially in regions where professional mental health services are limited.

    • Youth Leadership Programs: Empower young women who have gone through Kemi-Zola’s support to become advocates for improved maternal care policies and community outreach.