Light Up Hope

🌟 Meet Mary Steven, a University student pursuing her Bachelor’s in Hospitality and Tourism Management. Despite losing her parents at just two months old, she has risen above adversity, supported by her sister and community. Through Light Up Hope’s WOVEN mentorship program, Mary transformed her life, turning vulnerability into strength. She started an agricultural venture, saving for her dream restaurant and hotel. Now, she’s empowering girls in Kajiado County, advocating for education and providing dignity kits. Mary’s journey is a testament to resilience and the impact of mentorship. With courage and determination, she’s shaping a brighter future! 🌈✨ #Inspiration #Empowerment #WOVEN #LightUpHope

✨ Meet Lavin Kodia, a shining example of resilience and leadership! As a fourth-year Early Childhood Education student at Masinde University, Lavin's journey is one of triumph over adversity. Growing up in a family of eight, she faced tremendous challenges, from financial struggles to the loss of her father. Yet, through it all, Lavin's mother instilled a deep value for education, and her unwavering spirit led her to Light Up Hope Africa (LUHA). 🌟 LUHA became Lavin's beacon of hope, transforming her life by providing the resources she needed to thrive academically and personally. With her school fees covered and basic necessities secured, Lavin not only excels in her studies but also actively supports her family and community. She’s paving the way for her dream of becoming a senior lecturer while uplifting those around her. 📚💖 Thanks to Woven Mentorship, Lavin has developed vital leadership skills and a commitment to giving back. She embodies the idea that true strength lies in helping others, proving that her past does not define her future. Let Lavin's inspiring story remind us that with determination and support, we can rise above our circumstances and light the way for others! ✨🙌 #LightUpHope #Inspiration #Leadership #Resilience #CommunityImpact

✨ Meet Gracious, an inspiring force of change! ✨ From humble beginnings in Jomvu, where every day was a struggle for survival, she faced her fears and transformed her life with the help of Seeds of Change. 🌱 With determination and the unwavering support of the Light Up Hope initiative, she defied the odds and made it to Daystar University—a dream she never thought possible. Despite challenges, including becoming a mother in 2022, she embraced mentorship and leadership through the WOVEN program. Today, she’s not only excelling academically with a great GPA but also leading impactful projects that educate others about climate change and empower her peers. 🌍💚 Her journey is a testament to resilience, hope, and the incredible impact of community support. Together, we’re lighting the path for future generations! 💫 #LightUpHope #LeadershipJourney #SeedsOfChange #Empowerment

Light Up Hope’s President Kelly Shaughnessy and COO Diana Mays are headed to New York for #CGI2024 this week. We’re excited to join the conversation and connect with other individuals and organizations focused on making a change towards improved #economicinclusion, #womensempowerment and #climatechange. 💡If you’re in New York as well and would like to connect, please reach out to us. We'd love to hear from you!

🌟 Meet Lilian, a fearless force from a predominantly patriarchal community, breaking barriers in the world of STEM. With only three other girls in her class, she faces challenges head-on—often navigating doubts and jokes about physical strength during practical sessions. But Lilian refuses to let that hold her back! 💪✨ Thanks to the support of WOVEN, she finds the strength to recharge and stay focused on her dreams. One of her greatest gifts? Access to incredible mentors who help her navigate the path ahead. In a world where connections can open doors, WOVEN is empowering girls like Lilian to build the networks they need to succeed. 🌐💼 At "The Fearless Camp," she connected with peers from diverse backgrounds, feeling inspired instead of intimidated. Lilian realized the boundless possibilities that education offers and embraced her journey with open arms. In just two years, she will graduate as an Aerospace Engineer, and she’s in awe of her achievements. 🚀💖 Lilian's story reminds us all that with determination and support, we can rise above any challenge. Keep reaching for the stars! #Inspiration #GirlPower #STEM #WOVEN #AerospaceEngineer

Meet Winnie: A Beacon of Resilience and Leadership Despite facing family upheaval and personal challenges, Winnie’s journey is nothing short of inspiring. Supported by Light Up Hope, she excelled in school, maintained a top GPA, and embraced leadership roles within WOVEN. As a young mother, she’s not only thriving academically but also spearheading a community project that has already reached 330 young girls with vital health services. Winnie’s story is a powerful reminder of how determination and support can transform lives. #womenempowerment #educategirls #WOVEN #thefutureisfemale

WOVEN'S AGM offers an opportunity for our beneficiaries to travel, learn and network. This year, the theme was , Education, Technology and Adaptability.

According to the International Monetary Fund “The economic and social imperative for women’s economic empowerment is clear. Greater gender equality boosts economic growth and leads to better development outcomes…and, in turn, supports economic resilience”.  Our Women of Vision Education iNitiative (WOVEN) supports economic empowerment of talented young Kenyan women from vulnerable and impoverished backgrounds. One of the ways we accomplish this is through one-on-one mentorship with professional Kenyans who volunteer their time to become mentors for our students. By matching our students with mentors who work professionally in the industries which our students are studying, we are able to help guide them towards employability. We accomplish this through workplace readiness skills, financial management advice, leadership development, entrepreneurship and project management training. In July, we held a Mentorship Tea with 25 Nairobi based mentors and 27 students. Among the activities were presentations by student representatives on their community service projects, such as Winnie (pictured here) who is a final year nursing student. Winnie’s group project involves educating other university girls on the challenges of student motherhood and how to gain access to proper contraceptives. Winnie shares “from my own experience, I know it is not easy being a student mother - therefore I want to help my classmates make informed decisions about contraceptives”. Our mentors cheered for our student projects and each shared their personal words of wisdom and encouragement to our students to inspire them as they prepare to transition to the workforce. 

Despite females constituting 51% of Kenya's population, 49% of women in the country are illiterate. While 80.8% of rural girls enroll in primary education, only 14.3% complete secondary education, starkly highlighting the educational inequality faced by girls in Kenya. Read more here (https://lnkd.in/ddVMhz6t) At Light Up Hope, we have recognized the critical need to invest in the quality education of girls. Currently, we are supporting 164 girls through high school across the county, ensuring they have access to financial assistance, mentorship, and psychological support to excel and graduate into universities. Our program is designed to instill resilience in our female beneficiaries by expanding their ambitions and challenging societal limitations on girls' intellectual capacity. Our dedicated efforts have yielded remarkable results: 50% of our beneficiaries’ transition to higher learning institutions, significantly higher than the national average of 20%. Yet, we believe there is more work to be done. Our ultimate goal is to educate over 1,000 girls in Kenya and achieve a 100% transition rate to higher education institutions. We are committed to supporting more girls through high school and beyond, helping them break barriers and reach their full potential. Join us in this mission. Your support can make a significant difference in the lives of these young women and help build a brighter future for all. #SupportGirlsEducation #EducationForAll #GenderEquality