Welcoming Leokadia!
💙🩷Full-Time Mentor for African Girls Hope Foundation
Leokadia with AGHF girl on scholarship
We want you to meet Leokadia
Our girls in Kenya just received a very special gift. 🩷🌍
Leokadia, who has faithfully served our girls as a part-time mentor, is now joining the AGHF team full-time!🎉
👉🏽We have seen the difference she makes in the life of every girl in our program, and we could not be more grateful to welcome her as a permanent member of our AGHF family. Leokadia — we are so glad you are on our team!
AGHF Full-Time Mentors: Clement, Leokadia, Dr. Grace (founder) and Daniel
Full-Time Mentors for AGHF!
One-on-One Mentorship: The AGHF Family Model
What sets AGHF apart from every other scholarship-based organization is our deep commitment to relationship. Adult mentors in Africa are paired with each girl individually - visiting her home, knowing her story, celebrating her milestones, and walking with her through every challenge. This is not a program. This is a family.
🩷💙 Leokadia brings warmth, kindness, compassion, and joy to the girls as she works with them one-on-one and in large groups. Her dedication to the girls of AGHF stands out as an example. Before she was hired full-time, she was already working full-time helping the girls. She is completely involved and dedicated to supporting them in a variety of ways.
Let me list a few of the ways our mentors support the girls:
School visits, home visits, one-on-one interviews, group events, group skill classes, office administration, reading support through our office library, and many more.
We have asked Leokadia to share a little about herself!
Could you tell us a little about yourself? Your background?
My background is in healthcare management and business management, and I am currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Counselling Psychology. Throughout my career, I have worked in the humanitarian field, particularly supporting refugees and vulnerable communities. This work has given me a strong understanding of the challenges people face and the importance of providing compassionate and practical support. In addition to working in refugee and healthcare programmes, I have gained valuable experience in administration, programme coordination, and procurement. These roles have strengthened my organisational, communication, problem-solving, and writing skills, as well as my ability to work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds. I have always been passionate about helping less fortunate and vulnerable people find purpose, dignity, and hope in their lives. My experience working directly with communities has also strengthened my desire to understand people at a deeper level, which is one of the reasons I chose to pursue Counselling Psychology.
I consider myself a good listener, empathetic, organised, and approachable. I genuinely enjoy supporting people as they navigate difficult situations and life challenges, and I hope to combine my humanitarian and healthcare experience with my counselling skills to make a meaningful difference in the girls' lives.
Getting to know you — What is your favorite color? Foods? What do you enjoy — hobbies, music, family, faith, etc.?
My favorite foods are pilau and biryani. In my free time, I enjoy knitting, cooking, and also love nature walks. My favourite colour is blue, and I love listening to inspirational music. I am married and blessed with three wonderful sons. I am a Catholic. My family, faith, and relationships are very important to me.
Connection with the Girls
What does mentorship mean to you, personally?
Mentorship to me means being there for another girl and supporting her as she grows. A mentor should listen without judging, offer encouragement when a girl feels unsure, and help her see the strengths and abilities she already has. As Leokadia, I would want to create a safe and comfortable space where a girl can freely express herself, ask questions, make mistakes, and learn from them. I would share my own experiences, guide her when she needs direction, and remind her that challenges do not mean she should give up. Most importantly, I want her to gain confidence in herself and realize that her dreams are achievable.
Is there a moment with a girl in the program that's stuck with you?
One l moment that stands out to me was working with a girl who was initially very quiet and hesitant to participate during mentorship activities. During the first few sessions, she rarely shared her ideas and often looked down when answering and could not even look at the other girls or me. I made an effort to encourage her, listen to her thoughts, and remind her that her opinions were valuable. Over time, she began speaking up more, participating in activities, and even encouraging other girls to share their ideas. Seeing her become more confident and comfortable expressing herself was incredibly rewarding. It reminded me that consistent encouragement and having someone believe in you can make a real difference in how a young person sees herself and her abilities.
What's the most rewarding part of your work?
The most rewarding part is seeing the positive change in the girls, especially watching their confidence grow. For example, some girls who were initially shy and hesitant to speak during AGHF activities gradually become more comfortable sharing their ideas, asking questions, and even taking on leadership roles. It is also encouraging to see them become more confident in expressing their feelings, opinions, and aspirations. Talking about their dreams and how they intend to achieve them. It is equally rewarding to see them set goals and take practical steps toward achieving their dreams, setting targets whether that means improving their grades, developing new skills, or working toward a career they aspire to pursue.
What's a challenge girls in the program face that you wish more people understood?
I wish more people understood that many girls who are AGHF beneficiaries carry challenges that are not always visible. Some struggle with confidence, self-esteem, family expectations and some are unsure of what the future holds. Beyond the support they receive, they need people who will listen without judgment, encourage them, and create safe spaces where they can express themselves. Every girl deserves to be reminded that her voice matters, her dreams are valid, and she has the potential to shape a brighter future for herself and her community.
Personal / Behind the Scenes
How long have you been working for AGHF? Why do you like AGHF?
I have been working with AGHF for two years. I love AGHF because of the genuine commitment to empowering girls and creating opportunities for them to grow. I appreciate being part of an organization where mentorship is not just about giving advice, but about building relationships and walking with girls through different stages of their lives.
Looking Ahead
Now that you're full-time, what are you most excited to dig into?
I am very excited about having more opportunities for one-on-one mentorship with the girls. I look forward to building deeper relationships with them, seeing changes in their confidence levels, supporting them through challenges, and ultimately watching them attain their dreams and become the women they aspire to be.
What's your hope for the girls you mentor five or ten years from now?
My hope is that five or ten years from now, the girls will be confident, independent, compassionate women who believe in themselves and are not afraid to pursue their dreams. I hope to see them thriving in their careers, families, communities, and personal lives, and I hope they will also become mentors and sources of encouragement to other young girls.
What would you say to someone considering a career in this kind of work?
I would say that you must be passionate about the girl child and genuinely care about their growth. This work requires patience, compassion, commitment, and a willingness to listen and learn. It is incredibly rewarding when you see someone's life change because you chose to walk alongside them.
Leokadia, Valerie, Sam, Dr. Grace, Denis - in Nairobi making home visits
“ I believe every girl deserves to be heard, supported, and empowered to believe in herself and pursue her dreams.”
