Empowering Mothers - Cultural Tour at Ngong Womens Centre

Three days that we'll remember for years

We spent three days in Nairobi with One Horizon Africa Foundation and did three of their experiences: Maasai Magic, Empowering Mothers, and Go Granny Go. Maasai Magic took us to Daniel's family who is doing something quietly remarkable: holding on to his culture while also pushing his community to change what needs changing. He encourages his community about educating the girls, giving daughters the same rights as sons, and preparing his community for the modern world without losing who they are. The members of his family, Ripsa, Risa, Maggie, and the two little ones, welcomed us like old friends and shared so many stories. Go Granny Go was the one we didn't expect to hit us so hard. We sat and listened to Rosemary, Helen, and Beatrice. Their stories are, honestly, sad ones, loss, hardship, and being left to carry everything alone. But these women are not sad people; they are some of the most resilient, funny (their laughter is contagious), dignified people we have ever met. Each of them supports an entire family, often grandchildren, on their own. One Horizon's support has changed what's possible for them, and that change reaches everyone who depends on them, you can see it. Empowering Mothers introduced us to Carole, Leah, and Teresa. What struck us is how familiar their old situations were, women who depend on men financially have small lives and that's true everywhere in the world. No say in anything, nowhere to go if things turn violent, health that gets ignored, children who go hungry and don't make it to school. All three women lived some version of that, and today they run their households. They earn, they decide, they've raised children who are in school, who have gone on to build independent lives of their own. They're passing on not just money but a way of thinking and watching that made the whole trip worth it. Our guide, Mary, made everything easy and warm, the families loved her and treats her like family. She clearly loves this work, and you can tell she knows she's part of something that matters. That energy is contagious. And kudos to Colin, who started the foundation. A lot of us talk about wanting to make a difference, very few actually do it. He did. What we valued most was that none of this felt staged. We heard real stories from each family, in their own words, and we cooked and ate together. It's a foundation with a genuinely good mission, and you can see the results in the people themselves living healthier, happier, independent, and lifting others as they go. It was great to hear the women and grannies identifying women who needs help and bringing them into the fold, amplifying the impact. Our child made friends with the children in every family we visited. We're going back to Kenya in the next few years, and we’ll be visiting these families again. It feels like we have people to go back to. Thank you, One Horizon. Truly.

via Tripadvisor

Life Affirming

Spent the day on their Empowering Mothers experience - truly life-affirming and the best thing we did on our whole Kenya trip. Colin and Mary are lovely people and the One Horizon work is beyond important. Very, very highly recommended and there are multiple experiences to choose from. Improve yourself and your holiday and gain unparalleled insight into Kenya. A wonderful experience.

via Tripadvisor

Best tour in Kenya

This was the MOST IMPACTFUL thing I did on my whole tour of Africa. I loved meeting these amazing women and learning about the beautiful community of support they have built for one another. I got some amazing, meaningful souvenirs and such a warm, heartful welcome. I heard stories of hope and strength and learned how small acts of kindness could have such a ripple effect of positivity. My tour guide Soloman was so amazing, and I loved our conversations and all he taught me. I felt like I made great friends and would recommend this tour to anyone coming to Kenya! I went at the beginning of my trip, and it was a great introduction to the country.

Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your words of support and are greatly appreciated. The communities of women that you met are inspirational and we have the privilege of working with them every day and learning some key things about life. We do hope to see you again in the near future. Please keep well and safe until we meet again. Best wishes from all of us at One Horizon

via Tripadvisor