Message from the Director: A Journey of Courage, Change, and Community

By Aniceta Kiriga – Founder & Executive Director, Tharaka Women Welfare Programme (TWWP)

Growing up in a community where women’s voices were silenced and opportunities were scarce, I learned early that success would demand more than just hard work it would require resilience, courage, and a vision for change. Raised by my grandmother in a harsh environment, I vividly remember a moment that shaped my path: she disguised me as a boy and gave me the name “Mati,” derived from my middle name Ciamati, so we could sell tea because only men were allowed to. That moment ignited a fire in me. I knew I had to rise above the limitations imposed on girls like me.

Through relentless dedication to academics and co-curricular activities, I earned sponsorship for my education. I made a vow: one day, I would help another child access education, just as I had been helped. Later, I married into a deeply traditional community in Tharaka, where female genital mutilation (FGM), early marriages, and low literacy rates were rampant. I found myself as the only woman at decision-making tables—exhausted but determined to change the narrative. From Maara to Tharaka, the challenges were the same, but so was my resolve.

I mobilized a group of brave women who shared a dream: to rewrite the story of our daughters. What began as a grassroots movement against harmful traditions grew into what is now the Tharaka Women Welfare Programme (TWWP), a movement transforming lives across Tharaka. Our Alternative Rite of Passage has given thousands of girls a safe transition into womanhood without undergoing harmful practices. Our Sisters to School initiative ensures that girls, many of whom would have dropped out, can stay in classrooms and dream bigger futures.

Through adult literacy programs, mothers who once could not read or write are now able to participate in decision-making, manage their households better, and serve as role models to their children. We have empowered women socio-economically, freeing them from dependency and giving them tools to thrive. We have mentored young girls and boys to support one another, fostering a culture of mutual respect and shared growth.

Recently, we embraced the power of technology through the establishment of the Gatunga Community Library and ICT Center the only public library in Tharaka Nithi County. This hub of knowledge, digital empowerment, and opportunity bridges the digital divide in rural Tharaka. Children, youth, and adults now have access to books, internet resources, and digital training that open doors to the wider world. This space has enhanced learning and created mentorship opportunities for both boys and girls.

Today, our work spans across eradicating FGM and early marriage, promoting girls’ education and adult literacy for women, advancing reproductive health and environmental sustainability, mentoring both girls and boys, and empowering communities through digital skills and access to free resources. I am a proud mother of many—not just biologically, but through the countless lives we have touched. I beam with pride seeing uncut girls rise to leadership, breaking barriers that once seemed insurmountable.

None of this would have been possible without the generosity of our partners and the resilience of our community. To our donors, including Women’s Global Education Project and many others thank you for walking this journey with us. To the parents who trusted us with your children, the local leaders and community partners who became our voices mashinani, and the girls who believed in us and soared you are the reason we continue.

Tharaka is just one of three constituencies, and Tharaka North one of ten sub-counties in our county. We know that changing culture is no walk in the park, but we are committed to expanding our reach across Tharaka Nithi and beyond. Our goal is clear: to ensure every girl and woman lives a dignified life full of opportunity, and to bridge the leadership gap in corporates and institutions across Kenya.

Looking ahead, our focus remains strong: ensuring that every girl and woman in Tharaka has the opportunity to thrive, to dream, and to lead. We know the road is long, but with continued partnership and solidarity, we are breaking cycles of poverty and shaping a brighter future.

To every girl and boy we’ve mentored may you one day hold someone’s hand, just as we held yours. Because as it’s said, “An uneducated community is a slave.” Let us continue to liberate, educate, and uplift.

With appreciation,
Aniceta Kiriga
Founder & Executive Director
Tharaka Women Welfare Programme (TWWP)