We are very excited to announce Maoni By Maono, an initiative that seeks to amplify women’s voices in Kilifi County. By leveraging the power of both traditional and digital media, we aim to highlight and address the issues they face. Maoni by Maono offers a platform for these women to share their unique perspectives and address the issues they face, thereby fostering a more inclusive and resilient society.
This initiative is the brainchild of our community manager, Ms Zeinab Zahor. Born and raised in Malindi, Kilifi County Zeinab has firsthand experience of the challenges that come with growing up here. In her community, a girl’s life is often not her own—it’s predetermined. When she was 13 years old, she was nearly married off to a rich man who was her family friend. The concerns that she was too young to marry, or that she harbored dreams of her own, were dismissed by those who were meant to protect her. Her reaching puberty was seen, by cultural standards, as a sign she was ready for marriage. However, she was able to navigate past these barriers, a feat many young girls in her community are unable to achieve. Motivated by her experiences and those of others around her, a compelling need drives her to share the stories of her community’s women and young girls with the world, giving voice to their lived realities.
The first issue is that of a seemingly harmless leaf that continues to shape the lives of women in Malindi, Kilifi County. This story focuses on the impact of muguka (khat) addiction on women’s lives. The aim was to show how this often-overlooked drug is affecting women, despite its scant mention in discussions on substance abuse and to get people to pay attention to its effects.
Zeinab’s vision was clear: she wanted these women to tell their stories in their own words, giving them control over their narratives. This approach would not only empower the women in her community but also spark conversations leading to positive change. The what, when, and why was clear —but we can’t say the same about the how. This is where Thellesi Trust steps in.
Thellesi Trust, a member of Maono Space, supports other changemakers like Zeinab in telling their stories clearly and effectively. They assist with filming, editing, and promoting the work on social media for greater visibility.
After sharing her idea with Thellesi Trust, the planning phase began. They helped her refine her objectives and curate questions for her fieldwork. Soon after, it was time for the on-ground work. With their assistance, compelling footage was captured. Following the shoot, a watch party was organized to decide the storytelling direction. The footage was then edited into the film you see today, and Thellesi Trust played a crucial role in its marketing—organizing watch parties on the day of the premiere, promoting it on social media, and more.
What Zeinab is doing is nothing short of remarkable! Her vision came to life sooner through her collaboration with Thellesi Trust. This partnership exemplifies the very essence of Maono’s existence: it’s a testament to the transformative power of collaboration among local changemakers. A girl with a dream met an organization dedicated to storytelling for change, and together, they created magic—utilizing fewer resources and time yet making a significant impact. Not forgetting the contributions of other changemakers in our space who helped amplify the documentary both online and offline.
Such success stories reinforce our belief that collaboration is the key to development at the grassroots level, where resources are limited but the potential for real change is immense.
