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Mary Mueni* (not her real name) had hit rock bottom trying to rebuild her life; her dreams of ever becoming a nurse had only been cut short four years ago when she conceived while in Form Three during the long school break occasioned by the Covid-19 pandemic that hit Kenya in 2020.

She had to stay at home when her friends resumed school after the break to take care of her young child. Alone and with no money, she resorted to menial jobs around her neighbourhood so she could raise some money for the child's upkeep.

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