I fell pregnant at 16, was left homeless and relied on food banks – but now I’m doing a law degree to give my kids a bright future

AT 16 Lisa* was a promising, dedicated student with a bright future ahead of her.

Having moved from South Africa to Camberwell, London, to get the best education she could, she dreamt of having a steady job as an accountant and a happy family home – but things dramatically changed when she found out she was pregnant.

Precious Mshengu

“I was terrified, had to drop out of college, and try to raise a baby when I was only a kid myself,” Lisa, 33, told Fabulous Digital.

Still a teenager, Lisa was then cheated on by her boyfriend and became a single mum to daughter Rachel* who recently nominated her in the Single Mum category of Fabulous’ Mum of the Year 2019 competition.

Rachel, 16, told us: “My mum has worked hard to set a good example for us even though she has spent years struggling to make ends meet. She tries her best to keep a smile on face and put food on the table.

“She doesn’t know I hear her cry sometimes but I do. I just think she’s amazing for all she has been through.”

Precious Mshengu

Here, Lisa tells her heartbreaking but honest story of life as a single mum…

When I found out I was pregnant, it was like one of those stories you read and can’t believe.

I was 16, had a boyfriend, was still having my period each month, but things changed when I went to the doctor with flu.

I had urine samples taken and when I got the results through, I also had letters telling me I had missed scans and I was actually five months pregnant. I couldn’t believe it and was so scared.

Soon after I found out, I dropped out of college as I knew I wouldn’t be able to complete my accountancy course once I had the baby.

After I had my daughter Rachel my mum helped when she could but I moved to from London to Kent with my boyfriend to try and make it work.

It was okay for a while and I went from job to job as an admin assistant but when Rachel was two I found out her dad had been cheating on me.

His ‘other’ girlfriend had the courtesy to call me up and tell me.

She also filled me in on what her and Rachel had been up to on the days he was supposed to be looking after her.

I confronted him and he didn’t deny it so I dumped him there and then.

It was the hardest thing to do as I was a teenager with a kid but I knew I just had to buckle up and get on with it.

Precious Mshengu

I didn’t give up on love though and a few years after the breakup I got back in touch with my high school sweetheart who still lived in South Africa.

It was amazing at first and in 2009 he came to the UK to ‘give love a try’ and stayed for six months because that was as long as his visa would allow.

Everything was great and in November of that year I decided to move back to South Africa after being made redundant.

My dad – who also lived there still – was sick too, suffering from diabetes, so it made sense.

We lived there for two years and got engaged but I knew that we couldn’t have the life I wanted.

So, once again, I came back to the UK alone – leaving Rachel with my mum and dad – to try and get established.

I wanted everything to be set up, for me to find a job and a house, so that I could bring the whole family back to the UK for a better life.

I took my newborn baby back to the shelter with my 11 year old daughter. When I think of that moment now, I can’t help but cry.

Lisa 33

My fiancée then got cold feet and told me he couldn’t do long distance anymore so I went back to smooth things over.

Sadly, soon after I got back my dad passed away, but my fiancé was amazing. We were very much in love and were planning a wedding for December 2013.

I also fell pregnant in June of that year and we were so excited to have a family but it all happened again… I found out he was cheating when I was five months and to make things worse, he’d started taking drugs.

I packed up and came back to the UK and moved in with my sister, April*, who lived in Gosport.

Her husband was in the Army but shortly after got there, he was re-posted to a job in York and I couldn’t move with them.

So, I was six months pregnant, couldn’t get a job and my sister had evicted me.

Precious Mshengu

Me and Rachel ended up in a homeless shelter and that’s where I ended up going into labour.

Luckily, my sister was still around when I gave birth to my son Harrison*, now 5, so she took Rachel while I was in hospital.

I had to have an emergency c-section but instead of having time to rest and recover I had to beg the hospital to let me out after two days because it was my sister’s moving day and if I wasn’t around Rachel would have been wandering the streets alone.

So I took my newborn baby back to the shelter with my 11 year old daughter. It was so awful and when I think of that moment now, I can’t help but cry.

Three of us were living in one room, with so many stairs to get up. It was so hard. I remember one of my stitches tore as I tried to manoeuvre us all into that tiny room.

I spent my days going to food banks to feed us and living off benefits. We couldn’t go anywhere or do anything. Sometimes Rachel would go to a friend’s house so she could watch TV as we didn’t have one in the room.

We were there for five months. We were then given temporary accommodation and finally had our own bedrooms but I had no money to buy beds so I had to ask the council to help me with furniture and they donated beds and a sofa.

It was such a struggle and I knew something had to change, so when Harrison was six months old I decided to apply for university.

Sadly, no one would take me because my GCSEs were so bad so I went to Highbury College to do an access course where there was nursery with reduced rates for students – while I was in class Harrison was in nursery and Rachel was at school.

After that I did an undergrad in Enterprise and Business Development and got a first, but in a bid to be a cut above the rest, I am now doing a Masters in Cooperate Law and Governance.

It’s hard work but I know it’s my only option if I want to get off benefits and provide a decent life for my kids.

I literally have no idea how I’m going to get the money together to pay the bills and feed the kids

Lisa33

I’ve been endlessly applying for jobs but I’m struggling to find a professional job that will pay me enough to cover the bills.

I don’t want to be on benefits but I’m almost better that way.

In November last year the council told me I would no longer get income support because my son is turning five, so my last payment was two weeks ago.

That is why Rachel heard me crying because I literally had no idea how I’m going to get the money together to pay the bills and feed the kids.

I live off £961 per month – but £300 of that was cut two weeks ago.

I’ve been applying for jobs non-stop since November and amazingly was offered a job as a project manager last week.

I live week by week but hopefully this will help us with stability. The only treats the kids get is a piece of chocolate when I can.

Rachel’s prom is coming up this year and it breaks my heart that I might not be able to buy her a dress.

I’ll continue to keep going though, as despite everything, I always have hope.

Precious’ daughter Rachel told Fabulous Digital: “I’m so happy that my mum has come runner-up even though she is a winner in my heart.

“I think she is the best mum ever for starting the journey pursuing some of her dreams and not being afraid to start again with two kids as a single parent.

“She’s a continuous inspiration and I think she deserves recognition. She can achieve so much and I believe in her as much as she believes in me.”

*Names have been changed

For more Mum Of The Year inspirational stories read about Linda who was told she couldn’t have kids but then formed an inseparable bond with her step daughter.

Also, find out what are the most bonkers baby names are this year.

In more parenting news, Matalan is selling matching mum, daughter and GRAN Peppa Pig pyjama sets for Mother’s Day.