Voice for the voiceless

Dedication: My mother who suffered domestic violence in her marriage while trying to keep the family together. She was a strong and amazing woman.

When I was a little girl, I thought I was worthless and would never amount to anything because of what I was told and the way I was treated. I had dreams but as each day went by I thought I was never going to realise my dreams, it was such a scary thought. As I grew older I begun to see just how damaged I was and how my past had halted my ability to think that I was capable of achieving anything. Having being sexually molested from the age of seven to fourteen by my two brothers, I was an angry young woman and there was little or nothing anyone could do for me, so I thought. I was in a dark and ugly place of depression, hopelessness, self hate, low self-esteem and low self-confidence. I didn’t think I would live beyond 30 years old because I always contemplated suicide and had attempted a few times but never succeeded. I felt empty inside, I was moving around without purpose or the will to live. After years of abuse by my family members and men I had dated, my moment of liberation came when I was introduced to a faith based Non-Profit organization, Our Lady’s Hospice based in Lusaka, Zambia. They embraced me and gave me hope, for once I found a group of people who were interested in me as I was and did not ask anything from me in return for their kindness. I was thrilled by the love they showed me. Their love also helped me realise that I was stronger than I thought. I was able do more than I thought I could. I rose above the pain and horrible past and became a positive example to other people who had been through similar situations. I vowed to break the cycle of abuse in my own life so I can help others who were still struggling with the effects. All this happened because someone believed in me and my abilities to become the best I could be. I realised just how amazing I was when I was able to stand up for myself and speak out against all forms of injustice. My love for humanity and seeing others rise above their struggles became greater each day and I realised I could be unstoppable if I wanted and If stayed true to the cause. In any journey, negative people are always there to pull others down but I have refused to listen to the negative voices around me. I learnt to be bold and fearless. After fourteen years of working for various non-profit organizations I decided to found Liberated Hearts Foundation whose focus is on advocating for the rights of women, girls and children. An organization that believes women, girls and children deserve to be in safe and abuse free homes as well as communities. They should not live in fear as this limits their potential and robs them of a productive life. I am even more thrilled that I was accorded an opportunity by the US department of State to participate in the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP). This experience has boosted my confidence as a leader of an organization. I can’t wait to share my life changing experience as an IVLP participant with my team members. I am proud of who I have become regardless of my past, I am grateful for amazing woman like Oprah Winfrey who has always been an inspiration to women all over the world. She remains my greatest inspiration and icon. I’m where I’m because seeing her every day gives me hope, she conquered so can we all. I know there is a lot to do in my country before we eliminate violence against women, girls and children but I hang on to the hope that began the day I realised I am stronger than I think and amazing in many ways. I won’t give up because of women like my mother who suffer domestic violence in marriage, no one spoke out for her. I am here to speak out for them, they deserve another path of life unlike my mother’s. I believe change will come when advocates like myself rise up and speak for the many women, girls and children who are oppressed. I am proud to be a voice for the voiceless. My book Glow after Pain amplifies my cause and has proved that not even shame or victimisation can stop me from telling my story of triumph over abuse and pain. I’m a survivor!!!