RESULTS AND IMPACT WIPED MY TEARS AND GAVE ME THE COURAGE TO TELL MY STORY MORE

I remember how  I  used to cry 5 years ago whenever someone asked me why I work with widows and not any other group of people. The story behind my work was and still remains very painful. I could break down., yes! but  guess what? this is why I  am a very strong woman today. I actually smile with boldness whenever I am presenting my work. I never went to a school to learn how to be confident when telling my story. All i did was to get into doing the real work and the results plus the impact became my teacher. Seeing a widow smile, feed her children, sleep in a decent house is my all time motivation. 

I am here today to encourage that girl/woman thinking of starting an organization and is scared of telling her story because perhaps it is very painful. it is okay to break down in the middle of your presentation, It is okay not to finish telling your story because tears cannot allow you do it. Keep trying and more so doing the real work. the results will amaze you, they will wipe your tears, will give you that boldness. 

I started working with widows when i was 18 years old, a first year university student. This is after my two older sisters lost their husbands in the same year. their suffering weakened me. I met other widows in the same situation as my sisters and this broke me down more.I remember going for an interview with  Akili Dada foundation, I could  not finish my story, I cried through out the whole interview, I left their office knowing I had terribly failed the interview because I was not strong enough to explain my work. Surprisingly, I was chosen among the many applicants from East Africa and that gave me hope. I knew someone had understood my tears. 

Through out the one year fellowship, I met very amazing ladies doing amazing work, I met women like Immaculate Amoit who have forever remained sisters and mentors, I look up to to Immaculate with so much adoration and admiration. she also introduced me to world pulse where I have met wonderful women across the world doing equally amazing work to improve our communities. 

My simple message today is: JUST DO IT, RESULTS AND IMPACT WILL BE YOUR MOTIVATION.We never have a control  over  what happens in our communities But we have can help however small in our own capacities, LET US JUST DO IT.

WITH LOTS OF LOVE FROM KENYA,

HELLEN KIMANZI