Grace Ongong'a on empowering women within deeply patriarchal systems

09/01/24 • 30 min

Grace Ongong'a grew up in a typical polygamous family in rural Kenya, with one father, six mothers, and 24 siblings. In Grace's community, girls are expected to leave school as soon as they find a husband, marry young, and start families. But fortunately for Grace, her parents believed in her right to education and independence. After becoming a teacher and spending eight transformative years abroad, Grace returned home on a mission! In this episode Grace describes how she's empowering other women in her hometown to break free from traditional roles, combat domestic violence, and gain skills for self-sufficiency.

Get Involved!
Learn more about Grace Ongong'a's work and how you can support her to empower Kenyan women here: justpeoples.org/leaders/grace
Why Give a Buck?
Because with 6,400 USD Grace can provide business mentorship and microloans to newly-trained entrepreneurs. And with around 44,000 USD, Grace can run her entire skills training academy for a year.
Meet Grace
Join us on the 3rd of October for an online fireside chat to discuss the power of women in rural Africa, with Grace and fellow Kenyan entrepreneur Semerian Sankori. Click for details and registration.

Previous Episode

Bright Shitemi on tackling the mental health crisis in Africa

Bright Shitemi experienced depression and suicidal ideation as a young man following the traumatic aftermath of his mother's attempted suicide when he was a child. He learned firsthand how mental health is treated by Kenyan society and how people suffering are stigmatised, marginalised and even criminalised. In this episode, Bright shares how he came back from the brink and began working to bring mental illness out of the shadows so that every Kenyan can safely share how they're feeling and access professional and dignified healthcare and support through the pioneering non-profit he founded, Mental 360. He's an inspiring man on a beautiful, and very human, journey.

Get Involved!
Learn more about Bright Shitemi's work and how you can support him to provide access to mental healthcare to all Kenyans here: justpeoples.org/leaders/bright
Why Give a Buck?
Because with $2,500 USD Bright's team can deliver 12 weeks of group therapy and psychosocial support to 30 vulnerable teenage mums. And with $33,000 USD Bright can establish and run a community wellness centre for a year.

Next Episode

Semerian Sankori on preserving Maasai heritage and land while advancing opportunities for women

Semerian, a Maasai woman, remembers her grandmother’s stories of a time when Maasai pastoralists roamed freely, before the post-colonial era brought sweeping changes to their ancient lifestyle. In this episode, Semerian shares some of the painful shifts Maasai have faced over the past few decades, and how they are working to preserve their rich and vibrant cultural heritage. Beyond these existential challenges, Semerian also highlights the specific obstacles Maasai women face, like early marriages and gender-based poverty, and how she's working to create meaningful change for Maasai women and girls.

Get Involved!
Learn more about Semerian Sankori's work and how you can support her to empower Maasai women here: justpeoples.org/leaders/semerian
Why Give a Buck?
Because with 2,000 USD, Semerian can supply 20 goats to a group of 20 Maasai women. This will allow the women to establish a herd that they can raise and breed helping them to achieve economic independence.
Meet Semerian
Join us on the 3rd of October for an online fireside chat to discuss the power of women in rural Africa, with Semerian and fellow Kenyan entrepreneur Grace Ongong'a. Click for details and registration.