Mary: Advocating for Girls Rights

Since graduating from university, what are you doing now?

 

Currently, I am practicing as a legal advocate in Nairobi, handling various kinds of disputes in court as well as arbitration.

How have you transformed since being with FIH?


Through FIH’s university scholarship, I was able to achieve my dream of being a legal advocate.
I have grown intellectually, as I had the opportunity to go to school. I also had the opportunity to meet and interact with scholars from various backgrounds and it broadened my thinking. Through the various meet ups and sharing of ideas and experiences, I realized that I should be grateful for who I am today. I can now say that I am a grateful person with a positive attitude in all I do.

Freely In Hope

Why is the work of FIH important to you?

FIH gives girls opportunities to change, grow, and most importantly, achieve their dreams. The experience at FIH molds us to be better and stronger women in society.

What is your future vision for yourself and for girls in your community?


My vision is to be the best in the legal profession, advocating for the rights of underprivileged individuals in society. I would love to assist another girl or woman, just like how FIH held my hand to help me become who I am today.​ ​I want to assist in the betterment of girls’ lives; to ensure girls that they can achieve whatever they set their minds to. ​T​he seed FIH planted in us blossoms into a tree that will help another person.

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Lydia’s Journey with Freely in Hope

The weight of my community’s silence was heavy. Growing up, I didn’t just witness violence; I lived in its shadow, watching as systems and customs quietly expected women to remain small, silenced, and in servitude. I saw women I admired trapped in cycles of abuse, their dignity chipped away until their dreams seemed impossible.

How our story began

Fifteen years ago, I made a career shift that completely changed me. Having worked with numerous nonprofits in Kenya and Zambia as a filmmaker, I was going in and out of homes, in and out of villages, and in and out of communities, listening to heart wrenching stories from survivors of sexual violence.

TRAUMA INFORMED CARE—not just a buzzword

Sexual violence doesn’t just leave physical scars, it can have a deep and lasting impact on a survivor’s mental health. Without understanding the devastating effects of trauma, we may unintentionally cause more harm.

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