Designed for Greatness with Candice Noss

Episode 13: Alice Wambui- Using her Greatness to End Ignorance and Abuse Around Menstruation
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[00:00:00] Hello and welcome to the Design for Greatness podcast conversations with Candice to help you elevate your mind, body and spirit and own your divine greatness. Today you have episode number 13, my interview with Alice Wambui. Alice is from Kenya and I cannot wait for you guys to listen to her story. She has a compelling story that absolutely touches your heart and it is inspiring because she is on a quest to end ignorance and abuse around menstruation.

Candice Noss: She is championing women. Young and old and helping lead a movement to, to help them understand their femininity and break down the barriers that women are faced with, especially in Kenya, but all around the world. So welcome Alice. I'm so grateful that you're here to talk to us today.

Alice Wambui: Yeah, thank you for having me.

Alice Wambui: I'm excited and I'm grateful for this [00:01:00] opportunity to share.

Candice Noss: I met Alice when I was in Kenya this summer and we had this incredible connection. The very second I met you, it was like, Fireworks between us. It was like we were so bent to talk to each other and to understand each other and to have this moment of, um, just woman to woman empowerment.

Candice Noss: And it felt so amazing. Um, so first Alice, I would love to have you just tell us a little bit about yourself.

Alice Wambui: Yeah. So as you mentioned, um, Alice from Kenya, honestly, it was just a divine connection from the beginning with you Candice. And I remember that day when you were doing a training in that school, meeting you, like I didn't want the conversation to end.

Alice Wambui: So I'm so glad that we, we connect again and we keep in touch. So I run an enterprise called [00:02:00] Smile Start Days for Girls. It is a social enterprise that work under the Larger Days for Girls International umbrella. And our main focus is just to break the shame and stigma around menstruation. And we focus on, uh, restoring dignity to girls and women across the world.

Alice Wambui: And at the center we have a team of 25. These are seamstresses. And coordinators and health educators that we work together to make this goal come true.

Candice Noss: Yeah, it, what you're doing is absolutely incredible. And when we were in Kenya for the humanitarian trip that I did with YouthLink, we were at the Maryandu school and you came and you were able to You teach the girls there at the school, not only about feminine hygiene and not only were we able to give them these feminine hygiene kits that were able to be used and reused and [00:03:00] washed and used again, enabling them to have a sustainable way to, to provide for their feminine hygiene, but you also empowered them with self defense moves and you helped them.

Candice Noss: Thank you. Help them understand the, the realities of the world that they're growing up in and the way to protect themselves and to really step into their power and not allow the abuse that sometimes occurs. Will you speak to that a little bit?

Alice Wambui: it's, it's really important to bring this information to these girls and women to empower them.

Alice Wambui: and as you mentioned, the, the, the education on self defense, because we come from different backgrounds here, and sometimes you find girls and women being abused, they are being raped. And so when we bring this education, we are just enlightening them to understand what surrounds them. Uh, what they should do, excuse me, the action they should take in case such an occurrence is happening, just to understand their bodies, to appreciate who [00:04:00] they are, and to feel their worth, you know, because most of the time, especially because of the African culture, most women or even girls feel like You know, they just belong down there, you know, they just feel like their world is down, they cannot lead, you know, because of the patriarchal energy around and for many years, and now we are empowering these girls and women to rise and to champion, you know, for themselves and to champion for mental health as well.

Alice Wambui: So whenever we have an opportunity to do this, people around schools in Kenya, communities and forums. I'm so proud to be a part of this, uh, doing those workshops and, uh, trainings in school, just to make sure that these girls and women feel powerful and enlightened, and that they also understand their worth and their rights as well.

Candice Noss: It's just absolutely incredible. What I have found in my work is that often our mess becomes our message. The thing in the way becomes the way. [00:05:00] The, the thing that created the biggest trial for us ends up to be the thing that we use our gift for. Strengths are greatness to then serve the world. Will you speak to your why, why you do what you do and tell us your story?

Alice Wambui: Yeah. So, you know, I like the way you put it that your mess become your message, you know, your message to change. Uh, because this is something that has happened to you, maybe in the past, or you've seen somebody experience, and now you want to change the narrative and shed the light on the same. in my case, when I was only 12 years old, a teenage girl, um, and I come from a large family of 14 kids.

Alice Wambui: from one mom and dad. Wow.

Alice Wambui: I am the eighth child, so I always say I'm the backbone to balance things. And um, we are nine sisters and five brothers [00:06:00] and you know, one brother passed on, uh, and my late dad of course, but we have a very amazing, powerful, wonderful mother that I call a queen because she has really taught us the resilience, you know, the courage, despite everything that has happened in the past.

Alice Wambui: She is the most supportive human on earth. And I truly thank God for the gift of my mother. And I remember when I was 12, you know, we didn't have much. We used to walk barefoot, uh, you know, about eight kilometers or so. And my dress, I remember it was tall. Because, you know, we didn't have a lot. And I didn't have much information about menstruation.

Alice Wambui: And, uh, because in science, the teacher will just define what is menstruation. And we will be told it is the flow of blood in women. And I'm only 12 years old, so I'm thinking, a woman, when I'm about 20 or something, it will happen. And I didn't even know. The flow of blood from [00:07:00] where? Because of all this culture and shame and everything, nothing was really brought so clear to us.

Alice Wambui: And so I'm just here, a 12 years old teenager, just wandering around, being happy with my life, and we were about to sit for the national exam. And, and, and, and, and I was wondering because this, this sharing that we are doing now is so timely because the students are starting their national exam on Monday.

Alice Wambui: You know, they just did their rehearsal today. So anytime it happened, it takes me back, you know, what happened to me at that moment. And I remember sitting in a class of 300 students. This is the final exam I need to sit for, to be promoted to high school. And a male teacher walked in. And he wrote a question on the boat, and he needed somebody to stand and walk in front to respond to that question.

Alice Wambui: And I remember that moment I had lower abdomen [00:08:00] pains, wondering what is happening to me, am I getting sick? And then after some time I felt that I was really wet. And so I was like, hmm, what is going on with me? So I put my hand behind there and then I just saw a lot of blood and I felt lost. It was terrible.

Alice Wambui: And even just after that moment, this A male teacher walked towards me and he said, Alice, stand up! Show them you can do this! Oh my goodness. I was hoping he would not call my name. I was known to be one of the most social, jovial, cheeky girl. I would immediately rise up and run in front to respond because I was very bright.

Alice Wambui: And I used to lead. But this moment I'm more groomy, I'm more dull, I'm more quiet. And then he walks towards me, I cannot stand and walk in front, and then he asked me for the second time. I'm trying to give him a facial [00:09:00] expression to show that I was having an issue or I'm suffering, but it never clicked in his mind.

Alice Wambui: So he really came closer to me, and he gave me a huge slap on my face. That was terrible. Like, he slapped me so heavily, and at that moment, I wished that if the ground would just open, I wanted to disappear. And I remember, yeah, it was so terrible, and I was crying, I had a headache, my face was swollen, and then he continued teaching.

Alice Wambui: And then he said, hey Alice, after the class, you must follow me to the staff room for more punishment. So I was like, what is wrong here? And I'm in confusion. The class was, uh, was finished and some kids went out to play and some stayed. So the teacher walked and he reminded me I needed to follow him. And I remember sitting down there confused.

Alice Wambui: So I decided to stand and I put a sweater around my waist. [00:10:00] And one girl came to me because there was a big stain, uh, on the desk with blood. And she said, Oh Alice, my grandmother said when you have blood like this you are cursed. And I'm like, wow, you're kidding. It was terrible. And I'm wondering, I'm cursed.

Alice Wambui: For what wrong have I done? And now I don't belong to anyone. I'm an outcast. Anyway, I walked outside, tying the sweater around my waist to walk to the office for more punishment. And there was a small distance between the class and the staff room, and I'm walking there, I don't have shoes, it was very dry, so even my feet was very dusty, and at this moment I'm walking slowly, and the blood is flowing through my feet, and through my leg, and the kids are making fun of me, saying, wow, look at her, she peed on herself, hey, what is that, [00:11:00] look at her, and I'm just surrounded with this shame, Sadness, confusion, and I'm working on, uh, and then a female teacher saw me and she said, Alice, what's wrong with you?

Alice Wambui: I didn't say anything. And then she said to me, don't even go to staff room. Go back to class, pick your bag and go home. So I am not getting support. Nobody's telling me what is happening to you is normal and we're going to help you. It's totally nothing. So I really started thinking, yeah, am I cursed? And what is all this happening to me?

Alice Wambui: When I was about to leave the school, Again, there was a group of girls playing, and they said to me, Oh, Alice, we are sorry. This will happen to you every day. And I'm like, Every day? Like this? And I said, But does this happen to boys? And they said, No. I asked, Why? Just because they were created like that. I said, Hmm, I think I want to become a boy.[00:12:00]

Alice Wambui: And then one of them said, There is a tree you can go around eight times and you can change to become a boy. I started looking for trees. I started going with my brother to look after cows and goats in search of this tree. And I remember I did it for a long time before I realized nothing was changing.

Alice Wambui: At this moment, it's all about psychological and trauma and everything in my mind going on. And I remember to take you back when I went home that very day, I found my older sister and immediately she saw me. She said, wow, now you are a woman. And anytime you can be pregnant. And I'm like, wow, what is this again?

Alice Wambui: How? I'm a woman? Oh my goodness! How? How is all this happening to me? And then she sat me down, she said, Okay, this is what we call menstruation. The flow of blood in girls at a certain [00:13:00] age, and it has reached your age for this to happen. And it will happen three to five days in every month. So I ask her, okay, so not every day.

Alice Wambui: Because the girls in school told me this would happen every day. And then so I was changing my mind slowly and then she, I asked her, but what should I do? She said, you know, we don't have a lot here. You need to use anything. And I said, anything, anything like what? She said, you need to get a piece of blanket, a piece of mattress.

Alice Wambui: And remember, we used to share a bed with three of my sisters. And I have to pluck a piece of blanket, a piece of mattress. And I'm using that for my period. And I remember the second day, it was really heavy that I needed a lot. And my sisters that night, they complained because the blanket was not enough.

Alice Wambui: So I could not use it anymore. And that's how my mom knew I was having my periods because of the complaint between me and my sister. And [00:14:00] actually she didn't have much to say, even at that moment. And she just told me, this is okay. Your sister will help you. Because again, of culture and everything, this is not something you would talk to your mom direct, it's your older sister to guide you.

Alice Wambui: When I could not use the blanket, the mattress, I had to use papers from my books, and that I can tell you it was very uncomfortable, very traumatizing, and I sat for my national exam in that state. I used to lead in that class. I had a big dream of going to a boarding school, one of the best national schools in Kenya, but because of the period and not lacking the information and the right products to use.

Alice Wambui: I was having psychological, you know, uh, trauma and I start my exam in that state. So I totally failed my exam at the end and I was the bad last out [00:15:00] of 300 and I used to lead. So I became like a talking stock of the school and the community. And you know, some people would say maybe she was getting favors from teachers.

Alice Wambui: You know, why would a girl who was so bright now become almost the last one? And nobody would really understand this. So I got so angry. And I had, I hated the fact that because of this blood, because of this situation, I failed my exam. And I hated the whole narrative. And I remember it reached a point, just to cut my long, long story short.

Alice Wambui: I went to high school, but I only had one option and I had only one choice to go to a school that was more than 10 kilometers, a very low standard school, because that's where my grades took me. And I didn't have a chance to go to a boarding school. I had to walk a long distance through the bush, closing the rivers, you know?

Alice Wambui: And I remember a [00:16:00] miracle happened when I was in that school in Tamwan, and they invited some friends to come and teach us on the same subject. And when the teacher announced in the parade, I jumped on top of the desk and I said, And everybody thought I was insane. You know, because of such a subject that somebody can cheer, I had a lot of questions that I needed answers to.

Alice Wambui: And they came, they taught us about menstruation, about puberty, about worth of our bodies and ourself. And I said, wow, I am the happiest I was born a girl. And from this moment, I am making a commitment. So I made my commitment when I was 16 years old. And this is the commitment that I made. That when I get my education, I want to champion for menstrual health.

Alice Wambui: I want to go as far as my feet can reach. No boundaries, no limitation. To make sure that I change the narrative, you know? Because I was imagining how many [00:17:00] girls and women are suffering out there without somebody rising and saying this is enough. This should not be done this way. And I thought, hmm, there is this fire within me and I must make it, you know, accelerate.

Alice Wambui: There is this light within me. I must make this light shine for others. And that's why now the biggest dream of founding Smile Start Days for Girls Enterprise was born. And we were celebrating our 5th anniversary on 2nd of October. And I remember. You know, shedding tears and it was tears of joy looking back and just looking how far we've come in five years down the line.

Alice Wambui: And I'm going to surprise you with the numbers right now. We've been able in those five years, we've been able to reach 82, 000 girls and women across Kenya, 82, 000. And apart from just [00:18:00] girls and women. We also started empowering men and boys, understanding when they are allies, they become together, you know, they, you know, they bring their power together to champion for menstrual equity.

Alice Wambui: And most of the time the fathers are the breadwinners. These boys, they have sisters and girlfriends. So if they don't understand this has a need, the abuse will continue. And so we had to look into this involving boys and girls together and together in one voices. There is no more shame. There is no more death.

Alice Wambui: There is no more embarrassment. We must move this together. And so, I'm so excited, you know, to keep on propagating this great mission of turning periods to pathway and giving girls and women an opportunity to shine and unfold their goals and vision and dreams in life. Yes,

Candice Noss: Alice. It's so, it's so inspiring.

Candice Noss: [00:19:00] And I love that moment where you received some education and you recognize that you were actually proud to be a girl and you felt that fire within you and you wanted to ignite it and exhilarate it and, and make it become so much bigger so that you could help and no bounds. And I, I think it's so incredibly important to have those moments in life where we make a decision This far and no more.

Candice Noss: This is not okay, right? This is not okay. What happened to me and I have the gifts and the strength and the talents inside of me to make a difference in this world and I am going to make a difference. Um, that moment is, is critical. And then staying completely. Adhering to that, that moment, giving it the credence it deserves, keeping that sacred and something that continues to inspire and, and help you to help others.

Candice Noss: Did you ever, as, as a, as a 16 year old [00:20:00] girl, knowing that you wanted to champion women and help with ending period shame, ending the embarrassment, ending the abuse, did you know at that point, Anything, anything as far as, was there any, any way for you to do that? Or did you have to come up with all of this yourself?

Alice Wambui: I remember because, you know, the promise I made at 16. So when I joined campus, when I joined university, uh, through a well wisher who sponsored me and I went there, I was able to meet students from across Kenya, you know, from, you know, different backgrounds. And I started talking to them individually about the subject.

Alice Wambui: And I was so inspired to see some young men from some of the community like Maasai that the subject you cannot easily talk about, and they're saying, please come and visit our village, come and visit our community and talk to these girls. So I approached the supervisors at the university, and I requested if we could [00:21:00] start a menstrual.

Alice Wambui: Health Club. And they were just like, Wow, good for you. You can do it. And I found some friends, uh, you know, at the university from different faculties. And that's how it all started. And I told them my vision. And we had a box where people were just putting their donation, either a pack of food or some monies.

Alice Wambui: And then I mobilized the first team of 20 students to go with me to start the training and the first school where we went the training, it is the same school where I suffered my shame because I really wanted to go back there and just change the whole narrative and, and, and have a fresh start. chapter, you know, for girls in that school.

Alice Wambui: And that's where it all started. And again, I remember I was supposed to write a thesis, a research paper, and my research paper is on the same. It [00:22:00] reads the effects of inaccessibility of sanitary pads on girls. you know, literacy level, high illiteracy level, because I'm trying to bring, to show there is a gap when girls miss a health education on this subject and they miss the pads or the product they need to use, they miss out of school.

Alice Wambui: So there is absenteeism. There's three to five days every month at home. So in Kenya, one term goes for three months. So if one month a girl is missing five days, so in three months they miss around 15 days. So can you imagine 15 learning days a girl's missing school? Um, so I wanted to show there is a huge gap that needs to be filled, that needs to be fixed.

Alice Wambui: And so that's my research paper and it's published. So if somebody just Google on the internet, they will find, uh, the same subject from Alice from Kenya, um, Mount Kenya University. [00:23:00] And so because of these and, you know, we started at that point. And I remember we used to go to a store, we buy the disposable pads, we go to a school, you know, depending on how much you've been able to raise, we reach out to girls.

Alice Wambui: And in span of seven months. We had reached 2, 500 girls. And I remember one day I'm in an orphanage to provide the same education. And I met one lady from the USA, California, who is now my mentor. She's called Monica Da Costa, and I'm always very proud of her. When she saw what I was doing, she was like, Wow, I want to support you with this.

Alice Wambui: When I go back to state. I'm gonna see what I can do and so she went back and I think she was doing her own research. And she found this amazing organization, Days for Girls International, and immediately she connected me to that organization. So the Days for Girls, they were able [00:24:00] to give me the training, uh, on everything that we talk about, you know, the health education, uh, menstrual cycle, puberty, self defense, everything.

Alice Wambui: And I was also shown how to sew, how to make the pads. And actually I was trained in Uganda, the neighboring country, and that was my first time to go outside Kenya. But the most challenging part is that I was not able to sew on the sewing machine because I believe, I believe each one of us, they have a talent and a passion and a path.

Alice Wambui: But I really struggled and tried and I came to realize, oh gosh, this is not really my thing. But I'm so good at talking and training. And then I said, I'm going to empower the women in my village. They can sew the pads, the washable pads now, and I can go out there to bring the education. And that is exactly how it unfolded.

Alice Wambui: And here we are. [00:25:00]

Candice Noss: I think it's, it's pretty amazing when you know, you know, your mission and your purpose and doors open and the path unfolds and you're able to take a dream and it gets multiplied and enhanced and it expands. And I feel like that's one, one way that you know, you are, you are doing the work you're meant to do.

Candice Noss: what do you do when. When there is trouble, when you feel roadblocks, when there is hard times, how do you stay motivated?

Alice Wambui: Well, that's a very good question, actually, because each one of us, we have those moments, you know. We have those moments, sometimes we are down, sometimes you feel challenged, sometimes you feel like you are giving up.

Alice Wambui: And I always say those are very important moments in life, you know. Because... In every situation, there is a lesson that you get to learn out of those moments, but I always find [00:26:00] my inspiration, one of the biggest inspiration, it's my past story. I all the time think about the past. When I feel down, when I feel like giving up, I remember where I've come from.

Alice Wambui: And I want to think, many times I think, if I didn't start this step from the beginning, And if I didn't get, you know, encouragement, especially from my mom, where would I be? And how many more would have suffered? And then I'm thinking, hmm, no matter how tough it gets, I want to rise and be the toughest. I want to keep moving.

Alice Wambui: Another inspiration, I would say, honestly, I love all the quotes from Mother Teresa about service. Hmm. I read them many times. Yes. And there is this one that says that. You may think whatever you are doing is just like a drop, like a drop in the ocean. And then she said, if that drop was [00:27:00] not there, the ocean would not exist.

Alice Wambui: So I feel so inspired. Doesn't matter the capacity at which I'm making an impact. It could be you just talked to one girl or a thousand girls. But the truth is there is an impact you've made in this one person. And because of that one person, there is ripple effects. And at the end of the day, you find that you're really reaching out and touching so many people.

Alice Wambui: Another source of my inspiration is that I always like finding my quiet time, you know, a time just to meditate and just a moment of a quiet time, like silence time, like taking a break from everything and just relaxing and regaining my energy and strength back that I'm always not in the run. Sometimes I sit back, I am thinking, I'm reflecting, you know, and I get inspired by different people around that I've seen.

Alice Wambui: They're also doing [00:28:00] great things. And above all, God has been the biggest inspiration in everything that I do, and I recognize that every day. Yes.

Candice Noss: Yes, yes, that is one thing that stood out to me about my time in Kenya was how glory to God in almost every conversation. Um, I loved the way that God was brought into.

Candice Noss: All of the

Alice Wambui: things and,

Candice Noss: and your complete dependence and understanding that God is in the details and God is in all of it, that, that is a very big source of strength. And having those moments of time, instead of just doing, doing, doing, doing all the time, having some moments where you're just being, where you're able to reflect and analyze Contemplate.

Candice Noss: Those are all so important and I love that Mother Teresa has been such an inspiration to you and, and [00:29:00] what you say is so true. I feel the power of it when, when you say that a drop is important without drops, there wouldn't be an ocean and with, and you never know the ripple effect that your one, your one act of service might, might create.

Candice Noss: as far as Things that happen at the abuse, the, we hear of sometimes, um, people making women go into prostitution in order to get supplies for periods or women being raped or, um, having to do horrible things in order to, Just live a normal life. Is that still happening in Kenya? And other than the education in the sanitary pads, help me understand what we

Alice Wambui: can do to help.

Alice Wambui: on that subject, I would say that it still happens and it's in many places. [00:30:00] And that's why we are so much into empowering, providing the skills, empowering these women and girls, and especially the young women in the communities. I would say, for example, when we were celebrating the fifth anniversary, we had a moment where just the seamstresses were expressing themselves, and I was so surprised to learn their deep stories.

Alice Wambui: About three of them shared how they were about to commit suicide because of the struggles. Say that one more time. They were about to commit suicide, you know, the suicide. Suicide, okay. Yes, because of the struggles they were going through without, um, the support or somebody to help. And when they got a chance to come and work at SmileStag, their life started taking a different direction and their life started changing.

Alice Wambui: Because now they can put some food [00:31:00] on the table, you know. I believe when a woman is empowered and they have a solution for themselves, that they can become some self reliant, instead of begging all the time. They, you know, there is that aspect of uplifting them and they were sharing and shedding tears and I was like, wow, I didn't realize how much this has brought empowerment, you know, apart just from, uh, training the girls and giving this pan.

Alice Wambui: Giving these women an opportunity to work at the center. And they have conversations, they have fellowships, you know, once in a week. They have conversations where they talk their story together. Sometimes they can share with us. And to see the progress that has taken place and that they feel empowered.

Alice Wambui: And a woman would say, you know, before I would be abused, I didn't have anywhere to go, or I didn't have a say, because after all I have nothing. But now, I have skills. I can earn [00:32:00] some money, I can take care of myself, I can take care of my babies. So that's something that I've really changed the narrative and, you know, that empowered women, you know, they, they can really do amazing things.

Alice Wambui: And the fact that they have gotten this opportunity, slowly they are also creating the ripple effect by empowering the other women in the villages in their own ways, and then encouraging them. You know, to rise up and go out there and start doing something for themselves. So, but I would say the abuse is still there, and that's why we teach girls a lot of self defense, to be able to know how to go about it when things are happening.

Alice Wambui: Of course, the government has some policies and law that if somebody is caught, you know, uh, violating or defiling, um, you know, then they can be put in, uh, behind the bars or they have to pay a lot of money. But still, you will find it, it being done somehow because, you know, somebody knows, [00:33:00] after all, this girl knows nothing, or this woman knows nothing about law, where can they go if something happened to them?

Alice Wambui: They are voiceless. But now the aspect of empowering them, they are coming out now, even championing for other girls and women, you know, out there. So I would say that. The narrative is changing, things are changing, and every change comes gradually, but I believe after some years, this will be a story of the past, because there is the wave of powerful women, even in government now, we have women who have taken leadership positions.

Alice Wambui: And that is very encouraging, like in my county, we have women in leadership, a governor who is a woman, a senator who is a woman, a woman representative who is still a woman. And so, um, I'm so impressed to see now that women are taking spaces also of leadership, uh, to try and formulate those policies so that they can be implemented, you know, and, and, you know, the change can take its effect.[00:34:00]

Candice Noss: Yes. I love, I love all of that. And one thing that you mentioned earlier is you're also training the boys and the men and helping them understand. And I, that is powerful in, in and of itself, making the men and the boys allies instead of enemies and working together. in order to stop the abuse and stop the shame and stop the embarrassment and empower these women so that they can go to school on the days that they're on their period, so that they can be comfortable even if they're on their period during a national test, right?

Candice Noss: So that they, they can have that pride of, I am important and I am special and I am just. As worthy as any other human being on this earth and being a girl or a woman doesn't mean I have to play second best to anybody. I am strong and I can do, I can do whatever. That is so [00:35:00] incredible. So incredible. Thank you.

Candice Noss: Um, so you're welcome. I love, I love also the fact that So when we went to Kenya, we have a Days for Girls program here in America where I live, and a lot of times our churches will have activities where we make the sanitary pads, where we sew them, and when we came, when we went to Kenya, we had the option to bring whatever they had sewn that we had access to, but we purchased those sanitary pads from you guys that you had actually made, and I love Your point that not only are you educating and empowering the girls, but you're giving the women a way to provide for their families, and you're allowing the women to have a skill that makes them.

Candice Noss: Self reliant and when they become self reliant, they no longer are in a place of abuse and [00:36:00] victimhood and they can stand strong and firm in their power and then they empower others and this beautiful ripple effect that is happening through you and your, your experience, which was awful, which was horrible that we wouldn't wish on anyone, but that allowed you the strength and the conviction to make a change.

Candice Noss: It's absolutely glorious. Absolutely. Yeah.

Alice Wambui: Yeah. Thank you. You know, um, when I look sometimes at those women and as I was sharing when we celebrated our fifth anniversary, when they were sharing their story, um, the impact and the change that has taken place is just incredible, you know, and I wish someday you have an opportunity to visit Kenya again that you just Sit and listen to them because they have an amazing story, stories, um, that, that are really touching, uh, you know, lives.

Alice Wambui: And I am happy when, because one of them mentioned that [00:37:00] anytime we walking here every day and sit down to sew this part, we are doing it with a lot of passion because we know the lives we are changing out there. And we know when girls are happy out there, when they see their beautiful, uh, washable pad, I can always smile from where I'm seated because I know I made it.

Alice Wambui: So it makes them feel very important to be part of such an impact, you know, that is really changing lives. And just to see it's not only for themselves. But they extend the ripple effect to the other women and girls in the village, you know, empowering them and encouraging them, you know, your self worth and your self esteem has to be high.

Alice Wambui: You need to be strong. There is no point of somebody taking advantage of you and, you know, and making you feel like you're not worthy or something.

Candice Noss: Yes. I think that's the, the key. Your self worth has to be high. You have to love yourself like crazy.[00:38:00]

Candice Noss: Yes, in order to put yourself out there in the world, you do, you have to love yourself like crazy. it's hard to put yourself out there. I imagine the thought of standing in front of hundreds of girls talking about things that are a little bit taboo was a little intimidating in the beginning.

Candice Noss: How did you develop that self love? How did you develop that confidence?

Alice Wambui: well, I would say that everything takes time. And I remember when I was starting, it was not so easy because, again, of the culture. Again, because of the taboo. But every vision you get in your heart, I always believe is so inspired by God.

Alice Wambui: And He gives you the grace and strength to maneuver through. And I remember when I was starting, I would go and people would feel the shame and the embarrassment. What, what was she talking about? But the fact that I also got a lot of love and support from my family, [00:39:00] from my mom, you know, it gave me the courage to keep doing what I was doing.

Alice Wambui: And actually one day I say to myself, it's either I keep quiet and this problem continues, And I will live a life of guilt because I have an opportunity to change something. I would rather go out there, let me be the voice, and I will live a happy life. It doesn't matter if I'm only changing one person, at least I did something.

Alice Wambui: And actually, I remember... The words of Martin Luther King Jr. who said that if you cannot run, then you walk, and if you cannot walk, then crawl. And if you cannot crawl, but at least be moving, be doing something, you know, be moving. And those quotes are really always inspire me so much because I say, Either way, I must be doing something, you know, I have to get out there and be the voice and be the change, [00:40:00] but there was this fire that was burning from within, you know, a certain passion that could not be stopped, you know, and people would think I'm running crazy because I imagine I failed my exam because of this.

Alice Wambui: And we have girls that pass their exams so well because they had what it needed to use. So I'm gonna bring this education and the help out there because I don't want this to happen again. And so I felt the fire all the time. And the moment I walked there to train the girls, I do it with a lot of passion and excitement, making it more fun for them not to feel shame or anything.

Alice Wambui: And anytime I come back home, I sit and I reflect, and I always say, I think. And I believe I am the most richest girl in the world because of the joy that flows in my heart, the fulfillment and the satisfaction [00:41:00] after I have done this for them. Oh my goodness. That is the joy that I carry along. I'm always happy to do it.

Candice Noss: I feel it in as you're speaking, I feel that joy and it, it just, it almost brings tears to your eyes because it is so genuine and true and pure. so I, my business is called the mind, body, spirit trifecta. The trifecta is the three things that make us human. We have a mind, we have a body, we have a spirit.

Candice Noss: And as I listen to you speak, I understand. Understand how powerfully you are accessing your spirit. Our spirits have the need to contribute, to connect and to grow. And you felt that calling inside and you listened. And every one of us on this planet has a calling inside. Every single human being on this earth has a mission that they are here to perform and to be able to access.

Candice Noss: Our spirit enough to hear the call enough to listen to [00:42:00] that voice inside that says, this is a problem and I could, I could do something about it. That is what this whole design for greatness podcast cast is about. It's about helping people. Embrace their greatness, know that they have gifts and strengths and talents and experiences that they have been blessed with that will enable them to go and serve this world in some way where they feel called.

Candice Noss: And you are just an absolute incredible example of that. Um, and I'm just so grateful for the chance to introduce you to the world. Everyone needs to know what Alice Wambai is doing. Everyone needs to know because we need to follow your example. And we need to stand up and we need to say no more. I can do something about this and I will.

Candice Noss: So, thank you for that. Um, if any of my listeners would like to help or, [00:43:00] or donate or do something in some way to help the Days for Girls program, uh, either locally or internationally or specifically in Kenya. Is there a way that they can reach out?

Alice Wambui: Yeah, um, thank you for that. I actually want to say that the impact we've been able to make, I shared of 82, 000, uh, uh, 82, 000 girls and women that we've been able to reach, and about 43, 000 boys and men.

Alice Wambui: We have not been able to do this ourselves. It's because of the love, the global love from friends across the world. Some of these friends I've never met, you know. Some see the stuff on Facebook, you know, because we share a lot about what we do. And I'm telling you people, including you, Candice and YouthLink, you partnered with us.

Alice Wambui: You know, again, to be part of this success, you purchase those hygiene kits. And as I said earlier, the moment people donate [00:44:00] money for girls, you know, they donate and we will take those pads to girls. And these women who are making those pads, the moment we purchase the pads from them, You know, it's giving them some economic empowerment, you know, that girls will benefit, these women will benefit.

Alice Wambui: So the more we have more people supporting this mission, donating or making orders with us to purchase the hygiene kits, the more we are also keeping these women at work and to help them put food on the table. So I'm so grateful and I just want to encourage all the friends across the world who are listening to this voice.

Alice Wambui: Please, you're welcome to come on board. Support Smile Start Days for Gas Enterprise and the mission that we are doing. We have a donation link that is this, that is attached to the Larger Days for Gas International, but the donation link comes directly to our local enterprise here in Kenya. And so I can share with that, uh, with you, [00:45:00] Candice, uh, the, the donation link that we have, and it is tax deductible.

Alice Wambui: So, and you can always share it with your friends out there. And apart from that, I also want to say you're welcome to Kenya. You are going to have an unforgettable experience. You need to come meet us, see the women who are sewing. Let us go out there to reach out to the girls together. And apart from that, visit the amazing Masai Mara National Park.

Alice Wambui: Get to see all those animals and just learn about our culture and the type that we live here in Kenya. Thank you so, so much for this opportunity. again, just to express and share. And, you know, getting the message out there. Honestly, Candice, you're a blessing. You're such an angel because it takes a big heart, you know, to be willing to share.

Alice Wambui: And this is how we are getting more friends. And partners to support what we are doing. It is through getting the word out there. And [00:46:00] I also want to say that, again, our CEO, Days for Girls International, Celeste Muggins, She wrote a book and it's out now. It's called The Power of Days. When you have a chance again, buy that book because my story is in that book.

Alice Wambui: So if you want to read it again, it is in that book. And the book is called The Power of Days. So thank you very much. Okay,

Candice Noss: well, I will link in the show notes. I will link to your specific donation, um, link and I will link to that book. Also, this has just been such a beautiful pleasure for me. And as we wrap up, what, is there anything else on your heart that you would like to share with us?

Alice Wambui: Yes, I want to tell everybody who is listening to my voice, there is no empty vessel. We all have something within us that is meant to create a change or an impact in somebody's life. It doesn't [00:47:00] matter under what capacity. And I want to encourage you, never allow anyone to dim off the light that comes from within.

Alice Wambui: Because you have that light within you, and that light is powerful. Let it out. Let it illuminate the world, and go out there and shine, and give yourself a space to be happy, to bring a change in somebody else's life, because the most fulfilling and the most happy life, and I'm telling you out of experience, it's anytime you have an opportunity to make somebody else smile, it doesn't matter at what capacity you do it, but you have something within yourself that you need to share with your, with the world.

Alice Wambui: I love you so much. Keep rising. Keep shining. Yes.

Candice Noss: Well said. Well said, Alice. Well said. You are designed for greatness and you are doing great things. Thank you so much for being with me today.

Alice Wambui: Thank you. I appreciate it.[00:48:00]

Candice Noss: Wow. Alice Wambai. What a story and what a powerful woman. Thank you for joining me today. I hope you feel as uplifted, touched, and inspired as I have. Felt throughout our discussion. I hope Alice's interview will create within you a desire to go internal and ask yourself if there is something that you feel called to do, is there a way you could channel your divine greatness to serve the world and help elevate others?

Candice Noss: Alice's story of resilience and courage to overcome the patriarchal energy and the barriers of her culture in order to make sure no other woman goes through what she experienced around menstruation, it is absolutely compelling. Alice's quest to end the ignorance and abuse of women, the way she is championing, championing and empowering women and girls to become self reliant, how she is teaching men and boys, making them allies for stopping the abuse.

Candice Noss: The way Alice is nurturing and [00:49:00] promoting the importance of loving ourself in order to show up in powerful way in this world. It is all absolutely awesome. To think that one girl, who failed her national exams at 12 years old because of abuse and shame around menstruation, could grow up, and with the help of the Days for Girls program, and what she terms, global love across the world, well now she has taught and helped over 80 1000 girls and women.

Candice Noss: Wow. It's absolutely phenomenal. Friends, may we all strive to follow Alice's example, using the light within us to help others rise, owning our divine greatness to serve and bless this world. If you would like some help toward landing in that place of self belief and love, that is critical. If you are going to put yourself out there in the world, the first thing you need to do is manage your thoughts and eliminate the negative self talk.

Candice Noss: I am excited to give you one simple brain hack that will take your self talk from crappy [00:50:00] to happy. The link to this free video is in the show notes also. And if you would be interested in participating in the type of humanitarian work that I do, the whole reason that I was able to meet Atlas, I will also link to YouthLink in the show notes as well.

Candice Noss: This is an incredible organization that I am so happy to be a part of. I am passionate about empowering others to live into their divine power and purpose. Alice is such a shining example of what this truly looks like in the world. May we all use our greatness to bless others. You are designed for greatness.