FAQ
1. How do I know whether Benter Teenage Mothers’ CBO is a legal organization worthy
supporting?
Benter Teenage Mothers’ CBO is a legitimate Community-Based Organization recognized and registered in the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of Kenya, State department of Gender and Social Development with the registraEon number DSD/40/228/02/13392.
2. What kind of support does Benter Teenage Mothers’ CBO need?
Our interest is to help teenage mothers become responsible citizens who can stand
on their own. We therefore welcome any support that can help us achieve this. The
support may be financial, material (clothes for the babies, sanitary pads, soap, learning
materials, toys for the babies) or even your time to come and volunteer with us especially in counseling sessions.
3. How do you identify and verify teenage mothers before engaging them in Benter Teenage Mothers’ CBO?
Most of the teenage mothers we engage with learn about us through word of mouth, often being referred by a friend, and they reach out to us through our office. Once we are informed about a teenage mother in need, our first step is to welcome her without judgment. We take the time to listen to her story, ask relevant questions, and gently follow up to verify the information she provides. To ensure accuracy, a member of our team visits her family as part of the verification process. Once we are confident in the information, we have the teenage mother and her parents or guardian complete necessary forms, which are securely stored in our office for future reference. This process allows the teenage mother to express her aspirations and needs, after which she can apply for either skills training or support to continue her education.
4. What categories of support do you provide?
We strive to fulfill the dreams and desires of each individual teenage mother, taking into consideration both their abilities and the resources available within our CBO. While we aim to assist as many as possible, there are limits to our capacity. For example, we have had to decline requests for university tuition fees due to limited resources. However, we have successfully supported teenage mothers who have dropped out of primary or secondary school by helping them return to their education. Additionally, we offer assistance to those who wish to acquire vocational skills such as tailoring, hairdressing, fashion design, plumbing, and catering.
5. What if I want to support a teenage mother in pursuing a specific course?
We welcome and encourage sponsors who wish to support a teenage mother in pursuing a specific course or skill. We also facilitate direct communication between the sponsor and the teenage mother through video calls or phone calls. However, to ensure the protection of the minors, one of our members will always be present during these interactions.
6. How do you differentiate between a teenage mother and a single mother?
A key document required for verification by the Recruiting Officer at Benter Teenage Mothers’ CBO is the birth certificate. This allows us to confirm the age of the mother and ensure that she qualifies as a teenage mother before being enrolled in any of our programs. Please note that Benter Teenage Mothers’ CBO exclusively supports young mothers aged 19 years and below.
7. Do you have programs or offer support to the families of teenage mothers?
As a CBO, we do not have programs that directly involve or provide support to the families of teenage mothers. Our focus is solely on supporting the teenage mothers and their babies. However, we do seek the blessings and cooperation of their families to ensure the smooth implementation of our programs, especially since many of the teenage mothers are under 18 and legally considered children.
8. What if I want to support Benter Teenage Mothers’ CBO but not necessarily through sponsorship?
As a CBO, we have many needs beyond direct sponsorship, including essential tools and materials to help us reach and support teenage mothers effectively. For example, we have recently acquired a small piece of land and are working to mobilize resources to build a structure where teenage mothers can gather, participate in activities, and receive crucial counseling services. Your support in these areas would be greatly appreciated and instrumental in furthering our mission.
9. How do I become a sponsor or supporter of Benter Teenage Mothers’ CBO?
To become a sponsor or supporter of Benter Teenage Mothers’ CBO, you can simply contact us via email at [email protected]. Alternatively, you can donate directly to the organization by clicking the “Donate” button on our website.
10. Can I write to the teenage mother whom I support?
Yes, you can write to the teenage mother you support by using our official email address: [email protected]. Please indicate the attention of the teenage mother in question. For child protection purposes, all communication must go through our official channels.
11. From whom or which countries do you accept sponsorship and support?
We welcome support and sponsorship from anyone who believes in our mission, regardless of their location. We accept contributions from individuals and organizations worldwide.
12. Are there specific times when I can sponsor or support?
You can support us or sponsor a teenage mother at any time throughout the year. There are no specific periods or deadlines for making Donations.
13. Do you have a minimum amount for sponsorship or support?
No, we do not have a minimum amount for sponsorship or support. Any Donation, no matter how small, can make a significant difference in the life of a teenage mother. Your support, however modest, is greatly appreciated!
14. How can someone contact you?
You can reach us in three ways:
- Visit Us: Come to our office in Busia town, Bulanda Road.
- Phone: Call us at +254 769 967 580 or +254 781 352 465.
- Email: Send an email to [email protected] or [email protected].