Jane Anyango

Personal Experience

Twenty years ago, as a young mother, I felt an innate urge to respond to a little girl’s distress in Kibera where my family lived. I had witnessed her violated repeatedly and senselessly, yet she believed that she was in love. This urge to listen to girls like her grew and over time, the need birthed a self-help group. I have seen it not only grow but flourish, touching the lives of thousands of girls and women in equal measure, and I eagerly await what lies ahead. I never envisioned an institutionalized organization. My sole aim was to improve the community I joined as a wife where my little children called home. I would find myself reporting alarming gender-based violence incidents, offering emergency response services for expectant women, rescuing girls from sexual assault, intervening in early or forced marriages, and re-admitting girls into schools, a journey that can be challenging at times. I had not just opened my home to vulnerable girls and women; I invested my heart. The knowledge and experiences gained fueled my desire to initiate a campaign and a sisterhood movement for grassroots women to shape their lives. From initially intervening in a rudimentary manner when girls confided in me, to developing programs like the Talking Box, and now executing Passing the Baton, and traveling the world with fellow women girls multiple times, it brings me joy to witness them occupy spaces and speak on podiums. I am delighted to see this movement expand from Makina where we started to the Olympic estate, and across several counties where we serve, growing nationally and regionally in the hands of young girls and women. These trailblazers have been tackling persistent challenges facing girls and women in the informal settlements, and I am thrilled to see them gradually go global. Twenty years later, I am honored to be part of this incredible journey. We have transitioned from a self-help group to a community-based organization, and now to a fully functional non-governmental organization with skilled staff, systems, and structures. The development of this well-thought-out strategic plan reflects the transformative journey we have traversed since 2004. It highlights the remarkable achievements and footprints we have left in this space. Moreover, it continues to inspire us as we envision a society whereempowered girls and women, in all their diversities, contribute meaningfully to community development. From me, it’s simply a heartfelt thank you for being part of our shared mission. We invite you to continue this journey with us.