Dear Girl Child - Perspectives on The Art and Process of Growing Through the Stone

Introduction

On February 8, 2022, Ambassador Maryben Omollo—an internationally recognised mental health and leadership coach, 17-time award-winning speaker, and founder of the Maryben Foundation—shared a heartfelt message to the girl child. With a global reach of over 50 million and a mission to build resilient and inclusive workplaces across Africa, Omollo’s voice continues to inspire generations. In this particular message, she uses the metaphor of a seed buried in harsh soil to encourage young girls to rise above adversity and become their own source of strength. Her words are not just poetic—they are a powerful call to resilience, self-awareness, and inner growth.

The Seed in the Stone

Omollo begins with a striking metaphor: the girl child as a seed, buried not in soft, fertile soil, but in a place of hardship—perhaps even on stone. This image captures the reality many girls face: being thrown into environments that are not nurturing, supportive, or fair. Yet, she insists, this very place—the one that seems least ideal—is where growth must begin.

“You are a seed. You were buried, but you have to grow on that same land you have been thrown.”

This is not a message of resignation, but of empowerment. The stone may be hard, but it is not the end. It is the beginning of transformation.

The Power of Adversity

Omollo reframes adversity not as a barrier, but as a builder. The stone, though seemingly lifeless, becomes the training ground for courage, experience, wisdom, and knowledge. It is in the struggle to push through that the girl child develops the strength to stand tall.

“It may be on the stone, but believe me, it is the perfect site.”

This perspective challenges the idea that growth only happens in ideal conditions. Instead, it affirms that even the harshest environments can produce greatness—if one is willing to push, to dig, and to believe.

Breaking Through: The Call to Action

The message then shifts from metaphor to motivation. Omollo urges the girl child to push hard, to remove the stone that sits atop the fertile land beneath. This is a call to action—to not accept limitations, to not be defined by circumstances, and to not wait for someone else to create space.

“Plant yourself there, for your roots need that soft land to grow big and strong.”

The imagery is powerful: roots that grow deep, anchoring the girl child so firmly that even storms cannot uproot her, and floods cannot wash her away. This is resilience—not just surviving, but thriving in the face of adversity.

Becoming Your Own Inspiration

Perhaps the most empowering part of Omollo’s message is her call for self-inspiration. In a world that often tells girls to look outward for validation, she encourages them to look inward.

“You are that beautiful seed in your own way… Be your own inspiration.”

This is a radical act of self-love and self-trust. It is a reminder that the girl child does not need to conform to external expectations or wait for external approval. She is enough. She is capable. She is powerful. Omollo also emphasises the importance of solitude and self-reflection:

“Spend more time with yourself more than anyone.”

This is not a call to isolation, but to self-awareness. It is in knowing oneself deeply that true confidence and clarity emerge.

The Broader Message: A Universal Truth

While the message is addressed to the girl child, its wisdom applies universally. Everyone, at some point, finds themselves buried under the weight of life—whether by circumstance, trauma, or societal pressure. Omollo’s metaphor reminds us that growth is possible even in the most unlikely places. The stone is not the end. It is the beginning.

Reflection

Ambassador Maryben Omollo’s message to the girl child is a poetic and powerful affirmation of resilience, self-worth, and inner strength. Through the metaphor of a seed growing through stone, she captures the essence of what it means to rise above adversity. Her words remind us that the most beautiful growth often comes from the hardest places. That strength is not the absence of struggle, but the ability to push through it. That inspiration does not always come from others—it can, and should, come from within. In a world that often buries girls under expectations, limitations, and silence, Omollo’s voice is a beacon. She does not just tell the girl child to grow—she tells her that she already has everything she needs to bloom.

Lesson to Learn

You may be buried, but you are not broken. You may be planted in stone, but your roots can still grow deep. The environment may be harsh, but your spirit is stronger. Be your own inspiration. Push through. Rise. Because you are not just a seed—you are a force of nature.