Welcome to our Gallery Walk!

Please follow the audio guide below as you engage with each image in this gallery. In order to enjoy the full experience, kindly use your headphones and smartphone to play these audio files in order (#1-14) as you match the audio with its image number.

1. BUILDING A HAPPY HOME

Name: Irene Chemutai

Age: 22

Year: Class of 2023

Child: Daisy (3 years old)

Question: How has Neema helped you to grow emotionally and spiritually?

2. WOMEN WALKING FOR WATER

Name: Peris Chesang

Age: 22

Year: Class of 2022

Child: None

Question: How accessible is running water in rural Kenya?

3. MULTIPLYING EFFECT

Name: Brenda Simiyu

Age: 19 

Year: Class of 2022

Child: None

Question: How has your experience at Neema impacted your sisters and your parents?

4. A PLACE TO REST

Name: Brenda Namutosi

Age: 20

Year: Class of 2024

Child: Jayden (1 year old)

Question: How does the Neema community make you feel safe?

5. CHILDREN EQUIPPED

Name: Zasha (2 years old), the daugther of Faith Wambalaba, Class of 2022

Question: What is the importance of teaching the mothers and children about health and hygiene?

Narrated by Irine Tundwe, Head of Residential Department and Social Worker

6. A DAY IN THE KITCHEN

Name: Jentrix Mukoya, Neema Matron

Question: How do you cook at Neema?

7. 15 LITERS

Name: Faith Wambalaba

Age: 22

Year: Class of 2022

Child: Zasha (2 years old)

Question: How do you use water at Neema? 

8. WHEN THE RAIN COMES

Name: Dorcas

Age: 18

Year: Class of 2024

Child: Emmanuel (5 months)

Question: How does the heavy rain season impact life at Neema?

Narrated by Joyce, Head of Training & Curriculum

9. PEACE OF MIND

Name: Keith (2 years old), the son of Catherine Juma, Class of 2024

Question: What does it mean to you that your child is provided with food at Neema?

Narrated by Catherine

10. LEARNING TO SHOW LOVE

Name: Tracy (1 year old), the daughter of Patricia Wanjala, Class of 2023

Question: How has Neema helped you learn to care for your daughter?

Narrated by Patricia 

11. STRONG

Name: Patricia Wanjala

Age: 22

Year: Class of 2023

Child: Tracy (1)

Question: How has Neema enabled you to feel “strong”?

12. HOME VISITS

Name: Sarah Pem

Age: 19 

Year: Class of 2024

Child: None

Question: What does it mean to you that Neema counselors check on your dad while you are in school?

13. DISCOVERING MOTHERHOOD

Name: Faith Wambalaba

Age: 22

Year: Class of 2022

Child: Zasha (2)

Question: How has Neema changed your relationship with your daughter?

14. A FUTURE TRANSFORMED

Name: Lynn (5), the daughter of Lydia Nasimiyu, Class of 2019

Question: How does Neema impact the children of alumni?

Narrated by Irine Tundwe, Head of Residential Department and Social Worker

Artist Statement: Tessa Smucker

This year's NEEMA Gallery Walk follows the theme of home. It is a collection of images that were photographed while traveling to Kenya in March of 2022. During this trip we were able to spend time at the NEEMA home as well as a few of the student’s family homes. This work in Kenya represents so much to me personally and continues to be a dream come to fruition, as telling stories abroad was one of the main reasons I chose photography as a career.

Home has taken on a whole new meaning over the last couple of years during the pandemic, and this holds true for the women at NEEMA as well. NEEMA strives to create a safe and life-giving home for the students, but also continues to find ways to make an impact on the places that each individual has come from. This is achieved by providing both tangible and life-skill resources, not only for the students, but for their families as well. The word home can hold so much complexity to an individual, and the hope is that this small season in their life will create a lasting impact as they create homes of their own.

NEEMA is an incredible organization, and I am honored to help tell the stories of the hardworking young women who are paving a different path for their lives. They are choosing strength, perseverance, and hope and are gaining skills that will not only change the trajectory of their lives, but their families’ lives as well. The fact that we get to partner with them, thousands of miles away, is an extremely powerful thing. 

My goal with this imagery was to give you a glimpse into a home that may look a little different from your own. Using a mix of off-camera flash and natural light, the images were photographed with a slight artistic drama, capturing movement and moment. 

THANK-YOU for partnering with this project. I know I speak on behalf of NEEMA when I say we are so grateful for your support. 

Sincerely,

Tessa Smucker