Growing up in Ilchampai, a small Maasai village in Maasai Mara, Kenya, my childhood was rooted in Maasai traditions. The daily routines, rituals, dances, and songs fostered a profound connection to my cultural heritage. These memories have played an important role in shaping who I am today.

At sixteen, a film shown at my school changed my life. It depicted the devastating health consequences of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), a cultural and traditional practice ingrained within the Maasai community. This was a pivotal moment for me; I realized I could face the same consequences, even death, as the girl in the film. I then decided I wouldn’t undergo the practice.

That same year, I was expected to undergo FGM as an initiation rite into womanhood and marriage. However, I refused — a decision causing strong reactions from my family and community. No girls or women in my village had ever declined the practice before. The consequences of my decision were severe. I fought a battle no child should ever endure. Losing my sense of safety and community led me to run away from home.

Against All Odds, I pursued my education, completing university degrees in Kenya and Sweden. My Master's degree was particularly transformative, as education became my lifeline for finding my voice and empowering others. Since 2011, I have dedicated myself to transforming my pain into power, becoming an activist, and a voice in the movement to end FGM. Through my non-profit, @ResiansDream, I have amplified the voices of millions of girls and women affected by the practice.

@Resian'sDream, we work alongside girls, families, elders, and community members to eradicate FGM and foster futures rooted in education, dignity, and hope. We believe no girl should ever be cut, silenced, or denied her full potential. Change is possible. When communities take the lead, when girls are empowered to use their voices, and when cultural alternatives are embraced, FGM can—and will—become a practice of the past. Thank you for being a part of this dream.