I am Carolyne Nyambura Ng’ang’a. A mother of one, (8 year old
Precious Pauline Wangui.) who is kind, passionate about making a difference,
determined, adventurers, social and an easy going being. Am turning 30 in
December 2015. Am a cervical cancer survivor who now walks with those battling
cancer and their families.
WHAT FUELS ME?
Awareness;- After I was diagnosed with cervical
cancer and having been born and raised in a village set up, I realized that the
rural society have no access to proper sexual and reproductive health and
rights. They also feared talking about their reproductive track since they
thought it was a taboo. The stigma that those struggling with any reproductive
track issue faced was too much. This pushed me to be a Reproductive track
issues and rights advocates with a bias in gynecologic cancers. I decided that
though HELD Sister, we will create awareness on reproductive health issues and
rights in rural, semi-urban and slum area.
Hope;- Throughout diagnosis, treatment and
as I was healing from the surgery I had (total laparoscopy hysterectomy.) to
treat cervical cancer. I was hopeless. It was a devastating phase of my life. I
was alone most of the times. Fear filled my world. I was confused but on Sunday
afternoon as I cried by my grandfathers graveside, I decided to be a source of
hope for someone who is in my condition or worse. That was the birth of HELD
Sister and it’s programs;- “Will you Be My Volunteer?” “Celebrate The Journey
to Survival.” And “Lean on Me, My shoulder is Enough.”
 Perseverance;– Quitting a stable job
and starting a non-profit making, non-governmental organization that see me
give to it rather than receive, has taught me the virtue of perseverance. It
has been tough, rough, exciting, etc yet the only thing I still want to do is
persevere.
MY
GREATEST INFLUENCE:
God. His love and faithfulness keeps me strong amidst storms.
MY TOP THREE ROLE MODELS:
My late grandfather Mwalimu Stanslaus
Kimani. Even in death, he inspires me. When I see the amazing things he did
while living, and remembering all the lessons he taught me and his love for God
while on this world, I still want to emulate him.
Mother Teresa;- (Do I need to explain
that?) her works on this world were literally out of this world. She selflessly
gave herself to serving God through humanity. I admire her and I happen to
always learn a lesson or two each time I read about her.
My uncle Sir Patrick Nduati- He is the
most humble, kind, jovial, honest and determined man I know. He has been a
great pillar in my life. He is always there to cheer me through and in times of
trouble, he has a way of making me cry for better. I love him to bits.
IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS…..
My 5 year goal is to lead HELD Sister
to greater heights in promoting sexual and reproductive health. It is also my
goal to have touched as many lives as possible both in Kenya and globally. I
want to inspire many other young men and women to be advocates of change.
THE
AFRICAN WOMAN’S CHALLENGE:
Lack of information especially on matters to do with sexual and
reproductive health issues and rights. Low or no access to proper medical care
especially in the remote areas. The African woman faces a lot of stigma when it
comes to matters of sexual and reproductive health.
I am using HELD Sister to recruit other volunteers like me, we
get the required information and we empower the rural Kenyan woman.
WHAT I
DO TO RELAX:
Swimming and nature walks with my daughter.
MY  
–   I.C.E. [INSPIRE|CELEBRATE|EMPOWER]
VISION
Everyone needs inspiration. Being celebrated is a way of
inspiring self and others. Empowered woman adds up to an empowered community,
and generation hence, African woman empowerment is a must.
MY
AFRICAN UNION PLANS:
Awareness, The African woman needs to be empowered with correct
information.
Policy making because at the AU level, I will be able to sit
with other powerful, intelligent and wise women, share give my input and either
come up with new policies that will make a big difference or improve the
existing ones.
Advocacy because am usually the bold fearless type of a woman
who will fight for what is right. Am also youthful and energetic enough to do
this.
FINAL WORDS OF ADVICE:
Stop imagining that equality means you
lose your femininity, your gem and struggle with the opposite gender. We women
are specially created by God and we are very powerful. Be the woman God created
you to be and you’ll surprise self and the world.