We’re excited to share two powerful perspectives that bring our mission to life in a deeply personal way. One comes from a dedicated board member who recently traveled with us to Kenya and witnessed firsthand the impact of your support. The other is a former HFC beneficiary in Kolkata who, through your generosity, has not only transformed her own life but is now giving back as a valued member of our team. Their words offer a heartfelt glimpse into the real, lasting change you help make possible. We hope you’ll take a moment to read their stories—you’ll see just how far your impact truly reaches.
Two years ago, HFC expanded into Kenya, partnering with local leaders to support girls escaping FGM and forced child marriage. I witnessed this partnership firsthand. It was heartbreaking, moving, and deeply inspiring. On our first day, we visited a shelter {Samburu Girls Foundation} for girls who had recently escaped FGM (Female Genital Mutilation) and child marriage. The girls quickly bonded with us—wanting to hold hands, sit close, and connect. We did yoga, sang, danced, and made art. Many asked if I was Indian and lit up as they shared their love for Hindi films. After just a few hours, I had an entourage of girls who didn’t want us to leave. They said it was the best day of their lives. The shelter staff, many of whom are survivors themselves, are doing heroic work, but the facility urgently needs improvements: insufficient beds, showers, and toilets. I was saddened to learn that a contractor hired to install new septic and toilet systems disappeared with the funds just weeks into the job. |
We met more resilient survivors and dedicated educators supported by HFC’s Kenya partnership with Life Bloom, including:
- A school that educates 1,500 students each year, training them in leadership and coaching skills to support other survivors. They also educate the community, helping to stop harmful practices like FGM and forced child marriage. Many students at the school struggle to afford the $36/year tuition.
- An inspiring teacher and counselor who has been living healthy with HIV for 24 years. She now provides counseling and education to other women and girls living with the disease—helping them understand their healthcare needs, stay on medication, and build confidence. She expressed extreme concern over recent USAID cuts that affect access to their HIV meds, but remains committed to supporting these women, despite the obstacles.
- A teacher who developed a maxi pad dispenser that allows girls to purchase one pad at a time—a vital innovation in a place where many cannot afford an entire pack. Shockingly, we learned that many girls must reuse a single pad for the entire length of their monthly cycle due to lack of access. One dispenser costs $300, and three are currently being installed. She said something that stuck with me ” Why do we hide our periods like it’s shameful? We should celebrate it. If someone we know is on their period we should be giving her chocolates!” I love that idea and think we should all adopt it.
- A young girl named Grace, who seemed quiet and withdrawn during a lively graduation celebration. We discovered she hadn’t eaten in two days and gave her a PB&J and bottled water from our volunteer food supply. We later learned that most children at her school face similar food insecurity, and that for $10,000, the school could provide proper meals to all students for an entire year.
Throughout the trip, I was also deeply moved by the involvement of men and boys in this work—many were enrolled in coaching and teacher training programs, or already working as educators. They were determined to protect their sisters, daughters, and mothers, and to help shift these harmful practices of gender violence within their communities.
I am happy to share some of the experiences I have had teaching the HFC Children’s Circle (an education program for non-school going children) at Kidderpore. While I watch the children grow in many ways, I have also been experiencing a lot of personal growth.
- A session created to understand the importance of planting trees and how trees can actually be our friends was a top favorite of both the children and myself. I also covered the next step of this, the importance of recycling paper and other materials and how to recycle so that items can become resources, not just waste.
- Another class that particularly stands out is when I introduced the children to how they can actively recognize their inner thoughts, visualize themselves within their own minds, and express what they see or feel through art. As an example some of them expressed their visualizations of growing up, getting an education, and being free to fly under the open sky in a beautiful green setting.
- We planned celebration of the children, by handing out certificates of achievement that acknowledged how each individual has grown personally throughout our time together. The children have also enjoyed taking part in the annual Summer Camp that Maura organizes, sponsored through HFC. Other organizations are brought in to expose the children to new people and ways of doing things.
There are challenges I face working in this community for example, some of the children have learning difficulties and/or do not attend school regularly. To address these differences among the children I have developed a study plan that gives time and patience to each of the children. I am presenting a curriculum that reviews basic school concepts, along with holistic activities that aim to boost their understanding of the world around them.
Since working with the children of this marginalized community for almost 2 years now, I have grown a lot mentally and emotionally. I have also picked up more teaching skills. I recognize the difficulties faced by all children, both school going and non-school going and try my best to help. Day by day, I receive lessons on patience, how to handle uncomfortable situations with love and kindness.
I am also asking for help when I do not know how to handle a particular situation. I am learning to understand each of their situations, their circles, their circumstances, their mental health and so this helps me in my ultimate aim to serve each child’s needs.
My goal and vision for this program are to continue to educate the children and help them grow inside and outside. In my classes, I always stress that we are all human first and I provide all who come a safe space where they can find joy, feel loved, feel kindness and security, and get a nutritional snack which is also so important to their overall well being.
