TERESIA NYAORO

Born and raised in Kenya, Teresia reflects the warm and powerful spirit of the Kenyan people, overcoming the harsh struggles with hope. Teresia was orphaned at an early age, struggling with her siblings to bring food to the table. Her experiences led her to her mission to create a center where young people can come to be equipped with the knowledge and skills to empower them to be who they want to be. Today she is a transformational coach, with 12 years of experience from working with women, teens, and children in prison. Currently she is working at Clean Start which has had 500 beneficiaries through their range of programs to reintegrate women into the community after prison.

“My View of the World Is that We Are Living at A Time Where There Is A Need for Flexibility, Creativity, and Innovation”

Q: Tell us a few things about your country, and also your life's story!

I am a Kenyan from East Africa. We are currently going through a campaign season, just about to get in for our elections. Kenya is a multicultural country with a diversity of over 40 tribes. We have enjoyed a peaceful year. My country is lovely, and we pride ourselves on having a thriving tourist destination, in the East African hub. We are blessed with many resources that can make us the richest and the most developed state in Africa, agriculture, tourism, minerals, etc. Despite all these blessings, we are struggling with many challenges, like poor leadership, resource management, corruption, poverty, etc. One beautiful thing about Kenyans is that they are resilient, peace-loving, very warm and welcoming people.

I come from a humble background. I am the third born in a family of six siblings. My parents died in the late 1980s, and we were forced to find a way of surviving. My elder brother who at that time had finished the o level became our sole provider and I would assist him in doing a small business to make ends meet.

While I made snacks to sell, he would work with drug dealers to sell bang (Cannabis Sativa). All my brothers got addicted and I had to be the sober one. This made me choose to do voluntary community work that would empower those in these vulnerable situations, reduce the influence of drugs/ alcohol abuse and minimize imprisonment.

Q: How did you experience the global pandemic crisis, did it change your life or/and your views about the world? How?

The global COVID-19 pandemic took a toll on our already ailing economy, bringing the nation almost to its feet with higher unemployment, increasing crime rates, growth in mental illness and high costs of commodities. The effects also affected my life due to the fear of acquiring that disease, and the fear of losing my job. My view of the world is that we are living at a time where there is a need for flexibility, creativity, and innovations to keep up with the ever-changing dynamics.

Q: What are some of the key challenges in your society currently? 

High unemployment rates, high cost of basic commodities, high prices of oil and petroleum products, and poor leadership, just to mention a few.

Q: Share with us some of the hurdles that you had to overcome in your life so far? How did you handle them?

I have had to overcome fear by stepping out courageously to achieve my goals. Hard work, being open to learn, getting into networks, and offering solutions at the community level.

Q: If you were to ask one thing from our current leaders, what would it be?

I would ask them for the good governance of resources.

Q: Why is the role of a mentor important for you?

It ensures sustainability in passing on positive and ethical traits from generation to generation.

Q: Do you have a lesson that life has taught you and you would like to share?  

Yes, life has taught me to be agile and flexible. Nothing is cast on a stone, dare to take one step at a time, in spite of the challenges.

Q: Name a project, a foundation or a person in your country that you think is doing great work in helping improve other people's lives!

Clean Start offers second chances to women, girls and children who have been impacted by the criminal justice system in Kenya.

Q: What are some of the challenges that women in your country face and what efforts are made towards gender equality?

Women face inequalities in areas of employment, leadership positions, gender-based violence, marriage inheritance, and female genital mutilation.

Q: Share with us a phrase, a poem or a story that means something to you.

All things are possible to them that believe.

Q: Share with us a project that you would like to make happen for your country or a cause that you are passionate about.

I would like young people in the community to find a dream center well equipped with technology and facilities where they can come, receive skills and training that will empower them to be who they want to be.

Q: Anything else that you may wish to add? 

I want to do my part in making this world a better place with the life that I have and the resources I have to create a positive impact on my community and give them endless possibilities.