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Life for Juliah Wanja has been one obstacle after another but her resilience, outgoing personality and passion to improve herself and her community have seen her through the worst of days.
Wanja is a mother of six and a grandmother whose life with her husband started in 1983.
Gakanga Village in Kieni Constituency is where she settled with her husband Charles Ndungu when she was only 16 years old.
The 53-year-old dropped out of school at 14 after a teacher harassed her and made her choose to leave the classroom.
“It was a traumatic situation; I had an interest in education, but this teacher destroyed my life and to this day I have never forgiven him,” she says.
By the age of 21, she was a mother of three but her love for education saw her go back to school. “I wanted to learn, but it was not easy to raise my family and also be in school, so I decided to learn the basics, which was how to read, write and be fluent in English and Kiswahili,” she says.
Her dream was to be a judge and seek justice for the oppressed.
But with her limited access to formal education, Wanja decided to find another avenue to fight for justice through advocacy and leadership.
Despite facing scrutiny and demeaning comments from some women, she continued to speak up and express her views publicly and it slowly paid off. Wanja was elected to give villagers’ views in public meetings and represent them in community projects.
Currently, she is chairperson of Gakanga Sub-location Water Project and treasurer Mwiyogo Location Water Project; as well as chairperson, Kieni West Maendeleo ya Wanawake Organisation.
Most villagers refer to her as Nyaatha (the merciful one), or Koffi Annan, because she is called upon to resolve disputes and mentor locals.
Unemployment levels
“Most of the community relies on farming to make ends meet, and they also venture into the forest to graze their animals and collect firewood,” Wanja says.
Unemployment levels in the area lead to majority of the youth finding ways to make money off poaching.
Wanja has dedicated her life to giving the youth alternatives, educating them on the value of conserving the environment.
“I was not always passionate about the environment; back in 1999, I was one of the people who destroyed it by trading in red cedar, bamboo and rosewood - an activity I carried out for seven years,” she says.
But after 2007 she underwent a training seminar that educated her on the value and importance of conserving the environment.
“I was one of the community leaders who lobbied for construction of the Aberdare National Forest fence, which would help keep locals from venturing into the forest and also keep wild animals within the forest,” she says.
During construction of the fence, she was able to push for Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS) to engage local youth as paid labourers for construction of the fence.
“I acted as a link between the community and KWS, often seeking employment opportunities for young men and women,” she says.
While her passion is in conservation of the environment, Wanja has opened up her home to orphans and vulnerable children who she helps secure sponsorship to further their education.
“I always strive to help those around me shine, and I pray the good I do will change someone’s life for the better,” she says.
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