join the book launch!
pendo’s power is a children’s book that TEACHES children to use the
power of their voice TO SPEAK UP AGAINST SEXUAL ABUSE!
Written by Freely in Hope Alumni and Program and Partnerships Director, Lydia Matioli!
Join us on November 4 in San Francisco from 2-4 PM!
Free admission and fun activities for the whole family!
our story
Since 2010, Freely in Hope has been equipping survivors and advocates to lead in ending the cycle of sexual violence. We provide holistic education, leadership development, and storytelling platforms for girls affected by sexual violence in Kenya and Zambia.
Inspired by the audacious vision of survivors, we provide survivor-centered solutions that foster healing, equity, and justice. Our vision is to effect systemic change that brings an end to sexual violence.
Will you join us as we build a safer world for us all?
Until there is no victim of sexual violence
Freely in Hope equips survivors and advocates to lead in ending the cycle of sexual violence
Meet lydia!
freely in hope alumi & author of pendo's power
Lydia Matioli is a fearless advocate for survivors of sexual abuse. When she was just 5 years old, she was molested by her neighbor. Not understanding what was happening, she grew up wanting to connect and advocate with other survivors. In high school, she started talking about the epidemic of sexual violence at her school and initiated advocacy campaigns to stop rape in her community of Kibera, East Africa’s largest slum. After high school, she was eager to pursue her university dreams of becoming an activist for women’s rights—but she didn’t have access to achieve higher education. That’s when she met Freely in Hope!
Freely in Hope funded her university education where she excelled academically and professionally. She became Freely in Hope’s first Fellow and designed community-based programs that worked to prevent sexual abuse in high schools. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Gender & Development Studies in 2018, she continued to work for Freely in Hope and was recently promoted to the Program & Partnerships Director position at Freely in Hope Kenya!
After giving birth to her daughter, Lydia Matioli wanted to ensure her daughter grew up in a world that was safe. As a survivor of child sexual abuse, Lydia was terrified that her daughter could be vulnerable to the same abuse she experienced. Lydia wanted to educate children to be aware of what abuse looks like, and to empower parents to establish safety measures with their children. This vision birthed Pendo’s Power, her first children’s book!
Join the book launch
Join us on November 4 at the Children’s Creativity Museum in San Francisco! At this free event for the whole family, we’ll have a reading and signing with author, Lydia Matioli, fun activities for kids, and resources for parents and teachers!
pre-order today
Pendo’s Power launches on November 4! All pre-orders will be signed by the author, Lydia Matioli! Your purchase will also include a free companion guide for parents and caregivers.
HOw do we prevent sexual abuse?
Your donations will directly fund our programs that care for survivors and prevent sexual abuse across Kenya and Zambia.
2,000+
Children
Every year, we directly impact over 2,000 children across Kenya and Zambia through our child protection programs.
1,000+
parents
We provide parents with trauma-informed resources to help them protect children from child sexual abuse.
1,000+
community leaders
Our teams based in the Bay Area, Nairobi, and Lusaka offer trainings for leaders in organizations, spiritual communities, and schools.
upcoming EVENTS
the hope circle is an unshakable community of monthly givers that believe survivors.
Your donations literally encircle each scholar at Freely in Hope — providing them with what they need to not just survive, but to thrive.
