Lilian works as an Administrative Assistant at Neema.

Lilian’s a hard worker who serves as an Administrative Assistant, English teacher, and also deals with medical care at Neema. She was born in Cherangany, Kenya and was raised by both of her parents. She says, “my life was not that bad. My parents were able to take me to school, they struggled to make sure at least we had the best.” However, her father later quit his job when she was in Grade 8, so she was only able to go to school up to Form 4 (Grade 12). Lilian’s parents worked very hard to make sure she got an education, even if at times it was hard with the fees. While Lilian did not have the funds to attend college, her father took her to computer studies.

The time Lilian spent in school gave her the chance to meet and socialize with many different types of people. Her education gave her the ability to teach the students English, but maybe even more importantly, it gave her the ability to create relationships with and better understand the young women she works with.

Lilian celebrates with students at the groundbreaking for Neema’s new campus in 2023.

“When one has hope she will have trust in herself and desire to fulfill her goals.”

Women’s empowerment is important to Lilian. By teaching the students English, she’s helping to equip them with skills that will help them better themselves and their future opportunities. Her lessons help instill confidence and self-esteem in the students. Lilian thinks, “when one has self-esteem, she knows that she is valuable and worthy and strong and has confidence no matter the past. She is able to differentiate what is good and bad.” Lilian loves that she is able to empower the young women, while making sure they and their children are healthy and teaching them useful knowledge.

“I believe that through the relationship I had with God it led me to Neema.”

Lilian describes her relationship with God with passion. It has had a huge impact on her life, especially in terms of her work. Lilian shares, “I used to do casual work, I saved and I started a business frying chips, but it did not end well, so there was this day that I prayed to God and told him that I needed work. Like two weeks later there was an advertisement [for work at Neema]. I checked the requirements and decided to give it a try and through God's doing I was employed.” She now supports her mother, father, two nieces, and nephew with her income. She uses her strong faith to form stronger bonds with the students. She believes that the work she is doing at Neema is from God, and Lilian believes that she should serve the students and their children—“just as God would have served them.” Lilian, like many of the other staff members at Neema, have high hopes for Neema’s future. Currently, Lilian’s big dream is to see Neema expand course offerings for the students.

Staff Stories: Lilian