Community heroine impacts young mothers

AS Zimbabwe grapples with soaring cases of teenage pregnancy, a community heroine is making a significant impact in the lives of young mothers who are in need.

Ms Tsitsi Chipo Mlambo, founder of the RhoNaFlo Foundation, has become a beacon of hope for countless young women carrying unexpected pregnancies.

Ms Mlambo previously worked in Canada on HIV programmes and harm reduction initiatives, before returning to Zimbabwe four years ago.

As she witnessed the severity of teenage pregnancy in her home country, she felt an urgent need to act.

She started in Hopley and has expanded her reach to Epworth.

Since her return, Ms Mlambo has had to deal with a constant stream of calls from young women in distress.

Her commitment to supporting these girls is evident in the growing number she helps — from an initial two to the current 345 girls under 17 years of age, either pregnant or breastfeeding.

The RhoNaFlo Foundation provides crucial support for vulnerable teenagers, helps them register for antenatal care, and ensures they receive proper medical attention during and after pregnancy.

This comprehensive care goes beyond the immediate needs as it empowers these young mothers to navigate the challenges they face.

The foundation ensures early intervention and access to resources for the young mothers.

These crucial resources include at least US$15 for monthly rentals in Epworth and US$40 to register for antenatal care at a clinic in the area.

They also pay an average of US$20 for an ultrasound scan, which is crucial in determining the well-being of the foetus.

Last year, Ms Mlambo partnered with Muneni Ultrasounds to offer the crucial scans to the young mothers.

The foundation also covers labour, checkups and post-delivery care costs to minimise risks.

“The primary goal of the work we are doing is to ensure that the teenage mothers survive their pregnancy,” Ms Mlambo told The Sunday Mail last week.

“We are an organisation of volunteers. We are not funded by anyone as we have been struggling to get some funding.

“We work with community health workers and traditional birth attendants to identify these children within the communities,” said Ms Mlambo, whose mother died at the age of 31 as she gave birth to her fourth child.

“When these girls deliver, I am there at the hospital,” she said.

“Half the time, my name is on the emergency contact list for the expectant mothers because most of them do not have any relatives.”

However, Ms Mlambo’s unwavering commitment extends far beyond the sterile walls of the delivery room.

She understands that motherhood, in its raw and tender essence, blossoms with support.

Therefore, she collaborates with 65 traditional birth attendants, known as “grandmothers”, who provide postpartum care.

This vital support includes breastfeeding education, assistance with stitches/sutures and monitoring postpartum depression.

During this time, meals are also provided by the foundation.

However, when the burden of care work takes its toll on the grandmothers, the girl and her baby have to leave. This is normally after 10 days.

“These kids live alone or they are in precarious housing with perpetrators. Sometimes the mother is a commercial sex worker, so food insecurity is a big issue.”

Last year, Ms Mlambo received grain from seed company, Seed Co, which encouraged her to apply for land to set up a community garden to make the initiative sustainable.

Her land application is yet to be approved by the Epworth Local Board.

While she has been doing this work out of passion, Ms Mlambo has found herself emotionally attached to the girls and their babies. This means sharing their joyous moments, including the Friday parties she hosts for them.

She, however, also shares heart-breaking moments, which at times include losing

a baby.

“I don’t know why we are experiencing a lot of baby losses,” she said.

“Last year, 16 of our girls lost their babies and it is painful because we would have put in a lot of effort to make sure the girl and her baby survives.

“Normally, they just bury the babies in the community graveyards but at one time, I had to foot funeral expenses for a baby. I was the mother’s only relative,” said Ms Mlambo. “I had to process all the paperwork. A colleague at a funeral parlour assisted me with the procedures.

“They also assisted her with a coffin, while the local authority donated a grave for the baby.

“I am not in the business of burying babies, but I find myself sucked in there because sometimes the babies die.

Ms Mlambo said it is unfortunate that the loss of a baby usually spirals into a dangerous cycle. The young women, she said, often end up turning to sex work and drugs to numb the pain. “They get pregnant again as they seek solace,” she explained.

The burden is financially, physically and emotionally draining to Ms Mlambo. She has had to extend the begging bowl on social media platforms.

Due to stress, Ms Mlambo now also relies on anti-anxiety medication. Despite the challenges, she continues to find strength from the women behind RhoNaFlo — her late mother; her grandmother, who later took care of her; and her daughter, a constant source of inspiration.