Mercy Chemomenyi - Voice.Global

Mercy Chemomenyi

Kenya · WADADIA

October 2019 is my special moment. I remember being on edge all day long. All staff alert and keenly following the best innovation for development and best humanitarian innovation presentations taking place in Amsterdam live on our Facebook page! Our Director, Ms Habiba Mohamed and fistula survivor, Nadhifa Jama, were presenting our Voices of Hope and Action- a fistula survivors movement project.

Emotions ran high as we waited for the scoring and final tabulations. Restless and nervous, my patience was wearing thin. A glance at my team calmed me down as they were proud and confidently following the presentation. The microphone thudded as the host took it from the stand, I jumped at the sound. It was time to announce the winner!

“Third place goes to…” I could hear my heart bit faster and louder as the first and second-placed winners took to the stage.

“And the Winner of the NoW-Us! Awards goes to… WADADIA!

I did not wait for the director to get to the stage. I jumped up and down as I thanked God. “We did it! We did it! We made it!”

The room was suddenly filled with ululations, dances and songs of praise as Ms Habiba and Nadhifa walked to the stage to accept the trophy. They bowed down in thanksgiving prayers to Allah and delivered an acceptance speech. Back in the office, everyone glowed with joy. Then it hit me. Someone was listening and our important work was getting recognition. This right here was the highlight of my magical moment.

Ours is a journey that started with sensitising fistula survivors, bringing them together, to put their voices on the table and be heard. When we heard about this opportunity on social media back then, we decided to apply and include the voices of fistula survivors, who have been marginalised for so long, to be part of the decision-making in matters affecting their sexual reproductive health rights and socio-economic development.

Winning this award was so crucial for us and meant that after so many years, Fistula survivors had not only found a voice but a strong bold voice.

Happy birthday Voice!

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Magic of our voice(s)

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Marinke van Riet, Voice staff

Mali · Agoratoire

Marinke shares her magical moments with Housna a young Malian woman who is taken the audience by a storm during a slamming session at the Festival d'Inclusion organised by partner Agoratoire
Kenneth Jura, Voice Staff

Kenya · Linking and Learning

Jura shares his Magic. It happened in 2019, during a Mindful Inclusion workshop in Kenya. Here, his inner eyes opened to be more inclusive, putting others first and being empathetic.
Inez Hackenberg, Voice staff

Uganda · Linking and Learning

Inez shares her magic that happened during a Knowledge Exchange on self-led influencing in Uganda. After intense days, the atmosphere is so special that people are ready for the piece de resistance, a masquerade ball.
Wendy Otieno, Voice Staff

Kenya · International Refugee Rights Initiative

Wendy shares her magic moment that happened upon visiting one of the stateless communities in Kenya, the Shona.
Kayla Lapiz, Voice Staff

Indonesia · Yapesdi

Kayla shares her magic moment that happened in Nairobi during the 2019 Indaba, with a young man known as Morgan. Morgan was hesitant at first but finally let his voice out for all to hear.
Arisa Junio, Voice Staff

Netherlands · YADEN

Arisa shares her magical moment that happened during the first global Indaba when she was still an intern for Voice. She had the opportunity to pitch for YADEN's project, #ithechange, which got one of the highest votes.
Marinka Wijngaard, Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Mali · Agoratoire

Marinka shares her magic moment that happened during the Advisory Board visit to Mali, where she experienced the creative world of slamming for the first time.
Anke Van Dam, Retired Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Mali · Advisory Board

Anke shares her magic moments on seeing intersectionality and the LGBTI community as experienced during the Advisory Board visit to Mali
Tomas Chang’ Pico, ex-Voice

· HandSpeak Vietnam

Tomas shares his magic here, reflecting on his own personal growth within Voice and with Tien Anh from HandSpeak in Vietnam
Sitan Coulibaly, Voice staff

Mali · ONG COEUR CITOYEN

Sitan's magic happened during a visit to a village where she met a young women Kadia who became a model villager.
Thuy Tien

· Vietnam Handspeak

Tien's magic happened when she went back home after the NoW-Us! Awards and organised the Nothing about the Deaf without the Deaf in Vietnam
Kim Kiondo

Tanzania · Linking and Learning

Kim's magic moment was on his experiences from the Knowledge Exchange in Uganda where he appreciated the work of other rightsholders working on other forms of discrimination
Saophorn Phoeng, Voice Staff

Cambodia · CAMAsean

Saophorn shares her magic moment that happened during the celebration of a rainbow day. She was touched by the older LGBTIQ couples who came out and shared their journeys, inspiring younger LGBTIQ.
Elvis Herbert

Uganda · Linking and Learning

Elvis shares his magic that happened in an Inclusive Facilitation workshop that happened in Nairobi. Here, he learned about and came to appreciate all the work in the disability movement.
ASEAN SOGIE caucus’

Multi-country · ASEAN SOGIE

The ASEAN SOGIE Caucus shares their collective magic voice, that focuses on the Be/Longings queer online Festival. A space that was celebrated by the queer community in South East Asia.
Moctar Omar, Voice Staff

Niger · Timidria

Omar's magic moment happened during his first programme visit in Niger upon interacting with women survivors from Timidria.
Olive Namutebi

Uganda · Albinism Umbrella Uganda

Olive shares her magical moment which happened when Diana, another woman with albinism shared her 7 years survival journey, in the hands of a witch doctor.
Mullins Teddy Okokoo

Kenya · Tinada Youth Organisation

Mullins shares his magical moment that happened during a Voice learning event where he was inspired by other Voice rightsholders stories
Wanjeng’u Mike

Kenya · Tinada Youth Organisation

Mike shares his magical moment that was on the increase in number of people seeking mental health support as a result of their work
Kyerewa Asamoah Sekwe

Multi-country · Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations

Kyerewa shares her magic moment that is anchored on the resilience and passion shown by women with disabilities in their advocacy work
Akbar Restu Fauzi

Indonesia · Pamflet

Akbar shares his magic moment that happened when he interacted with Siti, a young deaf activist who is keen to teach more people about the Indonesian deaf culture
Agus Pratiwi

Indonesia · Article 33

Pratiwi shares he magic, that happened when she interacted with Mama Banja, who has been working to change negative customary laws.
Teddy Wachira

Kenya · Sullivan Reed

Teddy shares his magic moment that happened during a virtual celebration of IDAHOT. He was inspired by the safe space they had managed to create for the LGBTI community, during the corona period lockdown
Ibu Nurtini

Indonesia · Archipelago Indigenous Peoples Alliance AMAN Sumbawa

Nurtini shares her magic moment that was inspired by the new knowledge that indigenous women have gotten, as part of the AMAN Sumbawa project
Mahamadou Adama Traoré, Voice staff

Mali · Linking and Learning

Traore shares his magical moment that happened during a capacity strengthening session for Voice partners in Mali.
Christine Anne Pelagio

Indonesia · Leonard Cheshire Disability Philippines Foundation, Inc.

Christine shares her magic moment that is focused on Ms Aya from the Leonard Cheshire Disability Philippines Foundation, Inc. who is an inspiration in how she does her advocacy for persons with disabilities.
Luzviminda Antonio

Philippines · DAWN Multi-Purpose Cooperative

Luzviminda shares her magic moment that happened after an exposure visit that sparked the interest of the young women migrants in DAWN
Voices of Students

Philippines · Students of the University of the Philippines Babaylan

UP Babaylan LGBTI Students reflect on their journey and magic moment that happened while organising pride in the midst of the pandemic
Anthony P. Rebenque

Philippines · Labuin Association of Persons with Disabilities, Inc.

Tony shares his magical moments that continue to happen through interaction with other grantees forming communities of practises and stakeholders on various aspects
Emmanuel Waisai, Voice Staff

Tanzania · Linking and Learning

Emmanuel shares his magic that happened during the Paza Festival in Zanzibar upon having inspiring conversations with various rightsholders from Tanzania and Kenya
Aida Toyé, Voice Staff

Niger · Linking and Learning

Aida’s magic moment happened during the Niger’s talent fair with rightholders with hearing impairment who performed a 2-minutes dance, all of them were in tune with each step followed by the beats of the music!
Rahamatou Diarra

Niger · Mooriben

Rahamatou’s magic moment was through a game show, Madallah which had 3 people, a woman, a man and a young person who won the game by breaking inter-generational barriers towards a common goal, victory.
Abdoulkarim Abdou Madougou

Niger · Fédération Nigérienne des Personnes Handicapées

Abdoulkarim’s shares his magic moment about Fatoumata Diaby who inspired him to achieve more. Her disability did not stop impede her from achieving her dreams.
Catherine Essoyan, Oxfam Novib

Kenya · Linking and Learning

Cat shares her magic moment, one of many during her time as Chair of the Voice Steering Committee, that happened during the Indaba in Kenya,
Okama Ekpe Brook

Nigeria · African Carribean Heritage Alliance

Okama shares her moment that was inspired by a young song writer and teacher who joined ACHA and came up with the current theme song
Morgan Maze

Indonesia · YAPESDI

Morgan shares his magic moment that happened when he was at the Indaba in Nairobi and he saw a familiar face that pushed him to speak for himself and his organisation.
Hassan Mikazi

Tanzania · Tanzania Albinism Society

Hassan shares his magic moment that happened over the years as the PWD movement came together to produce a Charter of Demand.
Ruth Njambi Kimani, Voice Staff

Tanzania · Oltoito Le Maa

Ruth shares her magic moment, one of many that was inspired by Napano, an indigenous woman who proudly embodies her culture..
Rany Phok

Cambodia · Bophana Center

Rany shares her magic moment that happened when she was directing the film, Don't Give Up, as part of the Bophana Center training.
Chae Chhean

Cambodia · Child Rights Coalition Cambodia

Chae shares her magic moment that came from her engaging with CRC and realising the effects of child marriages especially for girls.
Ijeoma Okwor, Voice staff

Nigeria · Nigerian Association of the Blind

Ijeoma shares her magic moment inspired by a young man who found his Voice through ICT in Nigeria
Srun Srorn

Cambodia · CAM-Asean

Srorn shares his magic moment inspired by a long time couple who opened up their home for an LGBTI photo exhibition
LOEUNG Chanthou

Cambodia · Phare Ponleu Selpak Association

Loeung shares her magic moment that happened when she appreciated the winning painting done by an elderly woman
Badewa Adejugbe-Williams

Nigeria · Royal School of Educational Therapy Foundation

Badewa shares her moment focusing on the Docudrama produced during the Yes We Can project.
Emmanuel Oladele, Voice staff

Nigeria · Linking and Learning

Emmanuel shares his magic that happened during the mindful inclusion workshop.
Joy Pontenila

Philippines · Philippines Leprosy Mission Inc

Joy shares her magic which happened when leprosy survivors became powerful speakers.
Jihad Mambuay

Philippines · Metro Manila LGBTQ+ Pride, Inc

Jihad shares his magic moment, centred on an online event where he felt inspired by the stories and emotions.
Mikey Quijano

Philippines · Metro Manila LGBTQ+ Pride, Inc

Mikey shares his magic moments, learning about the pre colonial, filipino, queer history and when he participated in an online pride event.
Violet Ayoub

Tanzania · Vision for Youth

Violet shares her moment, focusing on how young people are self-aware and open.
Mwajabu Khalid

Multi-country · Dignity Kwanza

Mwajibu describes his magical journey to put statelessness on the local political agenda.
Ramata Coulibaly, Voice Staff

· AMPA, Agoratoire

Ramata shares her magic moments that happened throughout the years while interacting with various rightsholders.
Hadiza Amadou, Voice staff

Mali · Agoratoire

Hadiza shares her magic which happened during an Advisory Board visit to Bamako, Mali.
Bernardo Marino Sr.

Philippines · Advocates for Human Rights in Aurora Province, Inc.

Bernardo shares his moment that was inspired by an elderly group speaking up to why it is important for them to claim the land in which they live in.
Ramil Andag

Multi-country · Asia Pacific Coalition on Male Sexual Health

Ramil shares his magic that happened when APCOM engaged with the Asian Development Bank for IDAHOT 2019 to discuss entry points for LGBTQI financial inclusion
Skol Tamolok

Multi-country · Rimbawan Muda Indonesia

This moment focuses on Skol Tamolok, a cultural space that focuses on the intersectionality of various indigenous people who are part of the Being and becoming indigenous project
Grandma Janse

Multi-country · Rimbawan Muda Indonesia

This magic moment focuses on grandma Janse, a champion of sharing indigenous knowledge on weaving who is part of the Being and Becoming Indigenous Project
Women Environmental Defenders

Multi-country · Rimbawan Muda Indonesia

This magic moment honors the indigenous women who fight for the environment specifically Mama Lodia, Mama Deci and Mama Anaci
The Changes Start Here

Multi-country · Rimbawan Muda Indonesia

This magic moment focuses on the various informative spaces that have been provided for the youth by the Being and Becoming Indigenous project
Neema Tembele

Tanzania · Tap Elderly Women's Wisdom for Youth

Neema shares her magic moment that was inspired by the work of the Wisdom & Wellness Counselors in the community during the pandemic period.
Local Food Experiments

Multi-country · Rimbawan Muda Indonesia

This magic moment focuses on indigenous food and local food experiments as part of the Being and Becoming Indigenous project in Mollo
Leap Romam

Cambodia · Conserve Indigenous Peoples Languages Organisation

Leap shares her magic that happened upon seeing the indigenous youth come together to raise their voices and look for solutions together with other stakeholders
Ronalyn

Philippines · Fairplay For All Foundation

Ronalyn shares her magic moment that happened when she and the other kids in the community come together and shared their experiences and stories, becoming inspirations to each other.
Ruth Kimani

· FatuMagic, Kenya
Marinke Van Riet

· FatuMagic, Netherlands
Clemens Wennekes

· FatuMagic, the Netherlands
Sheila Mulli

· FatuMagic, Kenya
Wendy Otieno

· FatuMagic, Kenya
Inez Hackenberg

· FatuMagic, The Netherlands
Kayla Lapiz

· FatuMagic, the Philippines
Arisa Junio

· FatuMagic, the Netherlands
Sitan Coulibaly

· FatuMagic, Mali
Kenneth Jura

· FatuMagic, Kenya
Uchenna Idoko

Nigeria · Center for Gender Economics

Uchenna shares her magic, which happened due to her engaging with and sensitising journalists on elderly abuse
Aminata Awa Bousso LY

Multi-country · Rencontre Africaine pour la Défense des Droits de l'Homme

Aminata shares her magic moments when talibé children got a chance to share their experiences with their peers and trained them on children’s rights.