What began as a single psychosocial support event in Olkeri has now grown into the early foundation of a community support structure for young mothers, one that LIBAC-Kenya helped initiate and continues to guide.
The Empower a Mum Psychosocial Support Day, held in Olkeri sub-location, was designed in response to a visible gap within the community: many young mothers were navigating emotional distress, family pressures, economic strain, experiences of gender-based violence, and loss, yet there were very few safe spaces where these realities could be openly addressed.
The event had initially been planned for 100 young mothers. By the end of the day, 185 mothers had attended, reflecting how urgent and long overdue such a convening was.
For many participants, it was their first time entering a space intentionally created around their own well-being.
LIBAC-Kenya played an active role in shaping the event from planning to coordination, working alongside local partners and community actors to ensure that psychosocial support was not treated as a one-day activity, but as an entry point for sustained engagement.
Together with partners including the County Government of Kajiado, Mwanga wa Faraja Community-Based Organization, Capillon Counselling and Rehabilitation Centre, Inspire Teenagers Foundation, Green Globe C.B.O and others, the gathering created room for mothers to speak openly, connect, and begin identifying common challenges affecting their daily lives.
In Olkeri, where cases of gender-based violence remain present, but referral pathways are limited, the event also opened direct support opportunities. A pro bono lawyer who joined the initiative has since started receiving referrals related to child maintenance and GBV cases, while mothers who have experienced grief and emotional distress continue to access counselling support initiated through the convening.
Fruit trees were planted in recognition of International Day of Forests, meals were shared, and for many mothers, the day became more than participation; it became the beginning of belonging.
LIBAC-Kenya deliberately followed the event with continued engagement.
Soon after the convening, 40 young mothers came together again under LIBAC’s facilitation for a support group session, moving from a one-time gathering into a more consistent support process. Guided together with the local Community Health Promoter, the session created space for deeper conversations around parenting, finances, relationships, emotional well-being, and everyday pressures that many young mothers carry silently.
It was during this follow-up that the women agreed to formally organize themselves into a group now preparing for registration.
While the group is emerging as an autonomous platform owned by the mothers themselves, LIBAC-Kenya continues to provide the supportive structure around its early development, helping nurture a space where emotional support, shared learning, practical savings systems, and collective resilience can grow sustainably.
This balance matters: community ownership is strongest when women are supported to lead, while knowing that institutional guidance remains available where needed.
For LIBAC-Kenya, this reflects a broader commitment to ensuring that psychosocial support, GBV response, and women’s empowerment are not addressed only through isolated activities, but through relationships and systems that communities can continue building from within.
What began with one event has now become a steady point of return for many young mothers in Olkeri.
And often, lasting impact begins exactly there, when one safe space is created, and women choose to come back, strengthen it, and make it their own.