Irine's joy is contagious. She is exactly the type of person that lights up a room. But that doesn't mean that her life has been easy; on the contrary, Irine has had to fight against social and familial norms to get to where she is today. And she is helping other young women get there too. 

Learn more about Neema
Learn more about Neema's capital campaign - Securing Her Future

This episode was recorded in Kitale, Kenya.

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In the beginning of 2022, Tyler was on top of the world; he loved his life, he loved where he lived, and he knew that he had no definite plans for the future - just the way he preferred it. But just a few short months later, so much of that would change.
Tyler's story offers a unique perspective - being the partner of someone that is dealing with a serious mental health condition. 

Mental health is a topic that should be handled with care and respect. It is for that reason that we have focused mainly on Tyler's perspective during this story. Additionally, names have been changed to protect the identity of those involved.

This episode was recorded near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 

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Shelly Edwards Jorgensen is the author of Beautiful Ashes, a memoir about her life growing up in a domestic violence household and the permanent consequences it can have on your life.
Shelly's father murdered her mother when Shelly was 15. It was both a shock and something that she had been waiting to happen. Shelly's story of growth and perseverance is hard-won. Her strength, wisdom, and humility are to be admired.

Shelly's Website | Shelly's Facebook | Shelly's Instagram
Buy Shelly's Book on Amazon or wherever books are sold online.

This episode was recorded in Detroit, Michigan.

Content Warning: This episode contains conversations about domestic violence, sexual assault, rape, murder, and suicide.
 

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Alli is a licensed clinical social worker serving an extremely vulnerable population in the heart of Pittsburgh - those struggling with chronic, severe mental illness.
The organization Alli works for, People's Oakland, is a pillar of their community - offering a respite and a space for safe, holistic healing to its members.
Alli's journey to finding her purpose in this line of work is poignant and a beautiful example of how we never really know what opportunities are going to open up, and where our hearts will lead us. 

For more information about People's Oakland, visit their website.

This episode was recorded in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

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Loitanit has had aspirations beyond her hometown of Kitale, Kenya for as long as she can remember. Growing up as a pastors kid, she saw people visit from all over the world.
When she had the opportunity to go to the United States for school, Loitanit jumped at the chance; hoping to make her home there. But her family needed her back home.
Now, Loitanit works for Neema as the the Business Skills Development Mentor for Alumni. She's good at what she does, and she enjoys the work. But in her heart, she still dreams of new adventures outside of her corner of the world in Kitale, Kenya.

Listen to Jackie's episode
Learn more about Neema

This episode was recorded in Kitale, Kenya.

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The word refugee is bandied about quite a bit, armchair politics and clickbait news articles often inciting the conversation. But do we really know what we're talking about? Or rather, who we're talking about?

Amin is a former refugee from Somalia. He is now an American citizen with a beautiful family and is on his way to realizing his dreams as a CRNA, but the road to get here wasn't easy. 

Amin was motivated to succeed through a promise that education would give him the life he wanted. And though he's faced his fair share of adversity, Amin has continued to chase his dreams through hard work, dedication, and an unwavering desire for more.

This episode was recorded in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

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Theresa and her husband, Ibrahim, run a lovely guesthouse in the heart of Kitale, Kenya called Karibuni Lodge. After growing up in the U.K. and finding herself in the monotony of the corporate world, Theresa knew she wanted something different for her life. Building a life in Kenya hasn't always been easy, but it's where their lives, their business, and their children are. Kenya is home.

Visit Karibuni Lodge
Child Rescue Kenya
Neema

This episode was recorded in Kitale, Kenya.

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In the blink of an eye, everything can change. That's what happened when Sue found herself facing a corporate giant as she fought for justice for the sexual assault that was perpetrated against her. 

Since then, Sue is on a mission to end sexual exploitation through her organization, Walk Her Home. A nonprofit created to educate about human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation, fundraise for change-makers, and lobby for policy that will help victims and survivors.

For more information you can email Sue at [email protected]
or visit the Walk Her Home Website

Buzzfeed Expose
National Center on Sexual Exploitation
National Trafficking Sheltered Alliance

This episode was recorded near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

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Mike's childhood wasn't picturesque by any means, but he worked to create success for himself. He was on top of the world when news of an illness brought him to his knees. In one fell swoop, everything changed.
What do you do when it feels like everything you've worked for means nothing? What do you do when you lose it all?
Mike has fought tirelessly to rebuild the life he thought he had lost. And through his efforts, he's created a community of people that have found hope, help, and understanding.

Visit Mike's Gym - Q Fitness

This episode was recorded near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

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Jackie is a trauma counselor for Neema, a skills-training facility for vulnerable young women in rural, western Kenya.
Jackie's job is difficult, but her heart is boundless and abundant.
Her passion for counseling and the healing that it brings is clear in the way she speaks and in the relationships she has built.

Neema's staff of trauma counselors, social workers, teachers, and caregivers continually pour their hearts, energy, and resources into restoration.
Learn more about Neema
Make a Donation

This episode was recorded in Kitale, Kenya.

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