A World Built on Encouragement

I often imagine a world where encouragement is as natural as breathing, where women and girls grow up in spaces that affirm their worth, nurture their potential, and celebrate their every step forward. I caught a glimpse of that world in Grade One, when my class teacher, Mrs. Githae, chose to see more in me than my struggles.

I had just moved from a small village nursery where we learned in my mother tongue, Kikuyu, to a more advanced primary school where lessons were in English and Kiswahili, languages I was not yet fluent in. Everything felt new and intimidating. I struggled to follow the lessons, often translating in my head from Kikuyu, and by the time I caught up, the class had already moved on.

But Mrs. Githae noticed. She encouraged me to speak in class, even though my words stumbled and I was not as fluent as my friends. She never made me feel small for my mistakes; instead, she celebrated my courage to try. Her patience and belief in me planted the confidence I needed to keep learning, one word at a time.

This is the power of encouragement. It is more than kind words it is a catalyst for growth, resilience, and possibility.

As women, we have the unique power to be this spark for each other. Too often, competition or comparison steals the chance to uplift. Yet when we cheer each other on, we create ripples of courage that extend far beyond the moment.

We can build this culture by intentionally celebrating each other’s achievements, offering mentorship, speaking up against harmful narratives, and creating spaces where women and girls feel safe to dream boldly and fail without fear.

The world I envision is one where no woman has to wonder if she is worthy because she has been told, shown, and reminded by a community of women who believe in her.