Ongwediva – Pregnant teenagers who have been at the waiting ward at the Onandjokwe hospital last week said despite unexpectedly falling pregnant at a relatively young age, they are determined to complete their education.
This is despite an array of challenges these expectant mothers face when they deliver their babies.
They consider education as important, therefore, they want to continue with their studies until they complete university. However, they are worried about who would stay with their babies, whether the fathers would support their children, and how to make ends meet.
When New Era visited them at the waiting ward located in the Onandjokwe hospital, commonly known as Ewalanda in Oshiwambo, the expectant mothers, some teenagers, said it is not easy for a learner to be pregnant while in school as they can not concentrate in class.
They are always worried whether their boyfriends will support them, or run away after they’d given birth.
Justine Shihepo (19), told New Era that she wrote grade 11 for final-year exams, and wants to study education at IUM next year.
“I am always thinking about who is going to stay with my baby if I go to school. My mother died a long time ago, I wish she was alive to take care of my child,” she stated.
Monica Kamati (20), said she was upgrading two grade 12 subjects this year, and is hoping she passed well.
“My mother is alone in the house. I can’t leave a child with her during this time of cultivation,” she added.
Kamati said this is a big challenge for her, and will cause her to stay at home with the baby.
Eunike Shinuwa from Okambuwa village in the Oshikoto region said she also wants to go back to school and continue with grade 10, but there is no one to stay with her baby at home.
“Parents aren’t the same; not every parent will be willing to take care of a one-month old baby. When January comes next year, our child will not even have turned two months,” she noted.
Natalia Mathew (20), added that it will cost money to buy milk for the baby because the baby is required to eat while the mother is at school.
“Falling pregnant is a creation of problems in the house, especially when you go to school,” she lamented.
They all confessed that they have learned a lot about the pain of falling pregnant while in school.
– fhamalwa@nepc.com.na