Impact Story: Noven

For our latest impact story, we spoke with the incredible, Noven. Noven began her journey with us in March 2021 when she was referred by one of our partner organisations, Team Kenya, whose vision it is is for “every girl in Kenya to have an equal chance to achieve her potential and be free from poverty”. She was referred to the Inspiring Futures Academy because it was believed she could benefit from this holistic programme, comprising mentorship, workshops, online learning, events and work opportunities. Noven is one of the first participants to have completed both Levels 1 & 2 of the Inspiring Futures Academy. She has managed to join our virtual workshops almost every week – and from a different time zone as she currently lives in Ndhiwa, Kenya. We caught up with Noven to see how her experience has been so far.

“I was introduced to Inspiring Leadership Foundation in March 2021 and since then the journey has been so great. I am a happy lady to be part of the Inspiring Leadership Foundation. Indeed my story is a bit shocking but I made it through because of the Inspiring Leadership Foundation (ILT).”

“Sometime back, my life was full of regression, stress and I kept on asking myself questions every now and then. All my questions had no answer until the ILT came into my life. I never had a peaceful love life/family and it became worse when, until February 2021, we had to be apart. My little girl suffered mentally for a period. The Inspiring Futures Academy workshops started April 2021 and after every session, I had to call myself into a self-meeting of reflection. By July 2021, after several workshops, and after covering both Emotions & Relationships and Personal Brand within the workshops, I came to the decision to change my life from that point. My Family reunited July 2021 and I do really thank the ILT, it made me know how to relate and even handle family matters. I believe these workshops are needed for each and every woman in this world.”

Not long after completing Level 1, Noven was able to lead a group of men within her job as a Business Development Executive. She says, “Sometimes we think men are bad not knowing we don’t have the knowledge on how to relate to each them. I do really feel for women who are in the situation like the one I was in before. And how I wish one day ILT get to reach them and pass the knowledge into them.

Noven believes that our services could benefit more vulnerable disadvantaged women &  girls in Kenya and Noven feels confident in herself to help to positively impact the lives of others: ” Some females go from school to marriage with no knowledge about life away from parents or guardians. I am willing and ready to work with other leaders/ organisations in Kenya to identify the most affected – and the ones yet to get affected people.. Most things that are covered in the Inspiring Futures Academy workshops and are not being taught anywhere in the school curriculum, for example Morals & Values, Purpose & Meaning, Resilience & Perseverance, Health and Wellbeing, Emotions & Relationships and the most needed, Personal Brand. I feel so empowered and ready to overcome any challenge.”

Our workshops have been carefully designed to address topics which individuals may not have been able to otherwise. We can help with confidence, self-esteem, autonomy and promote healthy social ties. Noven says: “Every day I wake up to practise self-care, overcome toxic energy and prioritise my wellbeing. I cultivate positive lifestyle habits, including mindfulness and meditation. I have been changing my beliefs to invite great opportunities into my life. I have been manifesting my goals using tried-and-tested techniques. I have  overcome fear.  I have been finding my higher purpose to become a shining light for others.”

If you – or a girl or woman you know – needs support, click here

If you would like to become a mentor to someone like Noven, click here