In Gusii, the language spoken in Kisii, Kenya, the term “obwanchani” means to give great love. Lydiah Kerubo Kenyanya demonstrates that love in her efforts to serve the members of her community.
Lydiah grew up in a poor family with 9 children. Her father died when she was 6 years old. Lydiah grew up experiencing times when there wasn’t enough food. There was no money for basic necessities like feminine sanitary supplies for her and her 4 sisters. She is committed to doing all she can to make sure no girl will have to go through what she experienced. This is the driving force behind the Bleed with Dignity Initiative. There is so much stigma and shame around female biology in Kenya. Lydiah is striving to help girls feel positive about becoming a woman.
She is working in partnership with Anita Anita Byegon who runs the Bomet Enterprise. This is a locally run business providing employment for community members in sewing reusable sanitary kits through Days for Girls. These kits allow girls to stay in school after they begin menstruating. Without feminine supplies, many girls have to drop out of school. A donation to the Bomet Enterprise helps the girls in Lydiah’s community.
Even though education for girls was not valued when she was growing up, Lydiah worked hard to get one. She is the only one of her siblings with a college education. Now she is a Primary school teacher dedicated to her students.
Humanitarian work is her passion. She is keenly aware of the needs of the families in her community and she is tireless in connecting with others, including the media, to raise awareness and support for those who need it most. Like and Follow her page on Facebook.
Lydiah started the Obwanchani Project to fund medical equipment, supplies for small business startups, farm animals and equipment for long term sustainable programs to meet the needs of vulnerable families in the Kisii area in Kenya. There are many families living in substandard living conditions and part of the Obwanchani Project is to construct room additions and/or home reinforcements. She is working through The Shamba Foundation. Learn how you can participate in making a lasting change with a tax-deductible donation. Donate here.