This archive report was first published on 7 January 2020.
Empowering Women and Girls: The Story of Florence Mbaya ¶
January 7, 2020
Florence Mbaya, a writer and diplomat's wife, has chosen to transform a village over the city. She is passionate about empowering women and girls, and her writing reflects this.
Mbaya, who has authored four novels, including 'A Journey Within', 'Heritage High', 'Sunrise at Midnight', and 'The Morning After', tells Nyakundi Report that writing can be a lonely experience, but one that she finds fulfilling.
Living in Sabatia, Mbaya is the chairperson of the Vihiga Dairy, a community project that sells milk. She believes that this is one of her small ways of developing her community.
When asked why she chose to return to the village, Mbaya explains that she wanted to enjoy the calm environment and bond with her community. She also wanted to sit and write, but was mistaken in thinking that it would be a peaceful experience.
Instead, Mbaya found herself involved in many community projects, including school boards and chamas. She is happy to have learned a lot from these experiences and is now the chairperson of the Vihiga Dairy.
Mbaya is passionate about empowering women and girls, but does not officially champion the cause. She believes that this is something that she can do in her small ways, through her writing and community work.
When asked about her next book, Mbaya reveals that she wants to write about her experiences as a diplomat's wife. She believes that people are curious about how she lived during this time and wants to share her story.
Mbaya's passion for empowering women and girls is evident in her writing. She believes that women should not be put down because they are women, but rather should be encouraged to speak out and be leaders.
When asked about the kind of stories that people need to write now, Mbaya believes that writers should capture the present and write stories that the young can identify with. She also believes that writers should write stories that reflect the unique experiences of women and girls.
As a leader in her community, Mbaya takes time to listen to people and offer advice. She believes that this is one of her small ways of changing the society, apart from writing.
When asked about her appointment as treasurer in several groups, Mbaya jokes that she 'does not know how to eat money'. She believes that this is a testament to her integrity and commitment to using her resources wisely.
