Freely in Hope

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Freely in Hope

Equipping survivors and advocates to lead in ending the cycle of sexual violence.

We are survivors, advocates, scholars, and leaders who live freely because we are no longer victimized by the pain of the past. Together, we are getting closer and closer to the day sexual violence is history—believing that hope is always present.

09/02/2026

Meet Maryanne Koki, our Child Protection Coordinator.

Maryanne is passionate about equipping communities to prevent and respond to sexual abuse through trauma-informed education and survivor-centered approaches.

She designs programs, develops curricula, and leads trainings that empower children, caregivers, and practitioners to create safer environments for children.

Through public speaking, curriculum development, and partnership building, Maryanne works to break the silence and cultivate cultures of safety, dignity, and hope. Her journey from scholar to staff is a powerful testament to what survivor leadership looks like in action.

Drop a note of encouragement for Maryanne in the comments.

08/31/2026

Meet Mercy Mueni, our Malkia Peer Educator.

As a Peer Educator, Mercy supports outreach within the Malkia Program, helping build peer-to-peer connections with women who need safe spaces, practical support, and encouragement.

Through Malkia, Mercy reminds women that their skills and experiences can open doors to new pathways, including entrepreneurship and economic empowerment.

We’re grateful for the role Mercy plays in connecting women to support and possibility.

Drop a note of encouragement for Mercy in the comments.

08/28/2026

Meet Sarafina Njoki, our Malkia Program Coordinator.

Sarafina is passionate about ending prostitution in Kenya's slums — reaching out to women with empathy, hope, and a genuine belief that every woman deserves safety, dignity, and the freedom to choose a different path.

At Freely in Hope, she walks alongside women in the Malkia Program, helping them co-create safe spaces, drive their own rehabilitation, and discover new possibilities based on the skills they already possess.

We are grateful for the courage and compassion she brings to this work every single day.

Drop a note of encouragement for Sarafina in the comments.

08/25/2026

Last week, our Senior Director of Programs and Partnerships, Lydia, joined COVAW and Disabled Women in Africa (DIWA) for a powerful conversation on building more inclusive feminist movements in Kenya — facilitating a session on Trauma-Informed Care in Feminist Leadership & Organizing.

One reflection she shared: trauma-informed care can’t only be about how we support survivors. It has to shape how we design programs, build systems, lead, tell stories, and build culture.

At Freely in Hope, that means always asking: Can survivors participate without fear of further harm? Are we designing programmes for survivors or with them? Who holds the power?

There’s a real difference between giving someone a voice and giving them agency. Between inviting people into a room and letting them shape what happens in it.

The question we’re carrying forward: What would change in our organisations if we designed them around the agency of the people most affected by the injustice we’re trying to end?

Grateful to COVAW Kenya, DIWA, and the UN Women Trust Fund to End Violence Against Women / ACT Program for creating space for this conversation.

08/21/2026

Meet Pauline, our Social Worker. Pauline is passionate about seeing every woman respected and dignity restored to her.

At Freely in Hope, she ensures our scholars are holistically supported to thrive, walking alongside every woman she serves with compassion, purpose, and a deep belief that no matter what a woman has been through, her story is not over.

We are grateful for the heart and dedication she brings to this work every single day.

Drop a note of encouragement for Pauline in the comments.

08/19/2026

Meet Precious Musee, our Operations Manager.

Precious is passionate about ending gender-based violence through collaborative education, raising awareness, and advocating for policy changes that create safe spaces for women and children. Her faith deeply influences her work — she sees every task as a service to her community, her country, and God.

With over 18 years of experience in finance, operations, and human resources, Precious brings a robust foundation to Freely in Hope—supporting the Programs and Partnerships team with the systems and structures they need to do what they do best.

As Freely in Hope steps into a new season of leadership, it is the dedication and excellence of team members like Precious that keep this mission moving forward. We are deeply grateful for everything she brings to this work.

Drop a note of encouragement for Precious in the comments.

08/17/2026

Meet Chilala Muzyamba, our social worker in Zambia.

Chilala is a dedicated social worker with over six years of experience in child protection, social development, and community engagement.

At Freely in Hope, she supports survivors through case management, leadership development, and holistic wellbeing initiatives, committed to creating meaningful impact in the lives of scholars and the wider community.

We are grateful for the care and dedication she brings to this work every single day.

Drop a note of encouragement for Chilala in the comments.

08/12/2026

Meet Magdalene Chikanya, our Program Manager in Zambia.

With over eleven years of community development experience across Africa and the United States, Magdalene creates safe spaces for girls and survivors to amplify their voices and step into leadership.

Her work has reached over 500 faith leaders, more than 4,000 church members, and over 200 girls in Lusaka through child protection programs, the Super Girls Revolution, and Pendo's Power — a curriculum equipping faith leaders to recognise, prevent, and respond to sexual violence.

As a survivor herself, Magdalene transforms her story into a beacon of hope, championing healing, empowerment, and leadership from Lusaka, Zambia.

Drop a note of encouragement for Magdalene in the comments.

08/07/2026

Meet Joan Ngaruiya, our program director.

Joan's great passion is walking with people who have experienced trauma — supporting healing journeys and helping survivors rediscover themselves as strong and dignified.

With over 15 years of experience in mental health and program leadership, she oversees all Freely in Hope programs, ensuring every initiative is trauma-informed, measurable, and transformative.

As Freely in Hope steps into a new season of leadership, it is the expertise and compassion of team members like Joan that carry this mission forward. We are deeply grateful for everything she brings to this work.

Drop a note of encouragement for Joan in the comments.

08/05/2026

Malkia, meaning 'Queen' in Swahili, is Freely in Hope's program that supports young women in prostitution as they transition toward lives of dignity, healing, and sustainable livelihoods.

Through entrepreneurship training, psychosocial support, mentorship, and life skills education, women are equipped to build brighter futures for themselves and their families.

In this session, participants explored business planning, financial management, and table banking, gaining practical tools to strengthen their businesses. They also took part in a group counselling session that created space for healing, encouragement, and connection. To help ease everyday burdens, each woman received essential household supplies, including unga, sugar, and sanitary towels.

One participant shared words that captured the heart of Malkia:

"People say life begins at home, but to me, life began at Malkia." 💛

For many women, Malkia is more than a program, it's a place where hope is restored, confidence is rebuilt, and new beginnings become possible.

Address

2550 Ninth Street #206M
Berkeley, CA
94710

Website

http://www.freelyinhope.org/

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