Profile: Ruth Akinyi

How would you describe yourself?

I would describe myself as a passionate community organiser, environmental sustainability advocate, mentor and changemaker who believes that meaningful change begins with ordinary people taking responsibility for their communities.

I am deeply passionate about creating opportunities for young mothers, girls, young women and vulnerable members of our communities, while also protecting and restoring the environment we all depend on.

I believe in practical solutions , giving people knowledge, skills, confidence and opportunities to build better lives for themselves. I am also a lifelong learner. Every community I work with teaches me something new, and I try to carry those lessons forward into everything I do.

What would you say is your main identity?

At my core, I see myself as a community changemaker and advocate for girls, women and environmental sustainability.

Through my work with Wasichana Tunaweza (Girls We Can) and my involvement with the African Permaculture Support Network (APSN), I work to connect social empowerment with environmental responsibility.

I believe that empowering a girl or woman should not only mean giving her a voice , it should also mean helping her acquire practical skills, access opportunities and become confident enough to create solutions within her own community.

Who are some of your role models—people you respect and learn from?

I admire people who use their knowledge, resources and influence to uplift others rather than simply advancing themselves.

I am particularly inspired by people who work quietly and consistently in their communities, teachers who refuse to give up on disadvantaged children, farmers who care for the soil, women who create livelihoods despite difficult circumstances, and community leaders who choose service over recognition.

I also learn a great deal from the people I work with. Every woman who starts something with very little, every young person who chooses to protect their environment, and every community member who believes that change is possible reminds me that transformation does not always begin with big resources. Sometimes it begins with one person deciding to act.

What are some projects or goals you’re focusing on at the moment?

• Wasichana Tunaweza (Girls We Can) — Building opportunities for girls and vulnerable young women through education, mentorship, practical skills, entrepreneurship and sustainable livelihoods.
• Regenerative agriculture and environmental sustainability — Promoting permaculture, regenerative farming, tree planting, soil restoration and environmentally responsible livelihoods within communities.
• Strengthening community-based initiatives and changemakers — Supporting local people who are already creating positive change in their communities by connecting them to knowledge, networks, mentorship and opportunities.

Tell me a little more about one of those.

One of the projects closest to my heart is Wasichana Tunaweza (Girls We Can).

I started from the belief that young mothers, girls and young women should not have to wait for someone else to come and change their lives. They can be equipped with knowledge, confidence and practical skills to become the change they want to see.

Through the initiative, I want to create spaces where young mothers, girls and women can learn, dream, work together and develop sustainable livelihoods. We are particularly interested in practical activities such as poultry farming, regenerative agriculture and other environmentally friendly enterprises that can create income while protecting the environment.

For me, it is not simply about giving someone temporary assistance. It is about helping people develop the ability and confidence to create a better future for themselves and their communities.

What are some achievements you’re proud of?

• Founding and growing Wasichana Tunaweza (Girls We Can) as a platform focused on empowering young mothers, girls and women while promoting environmental sustainability.
• Becoming actively involved in identifying, supporting and connecting community changemakers through my work with the African Permaculture Support Network, including visiting community projects and learning directly from grassroots initiatives.
• Bringing environmental sustainability into community empowerment, particularly by promoting regenerative farming, permaculture and sustainable livelihoods as practical tools for improving people’s lives.

Tell us more about one of them.

I’m particularly proud of the work I have done through Wasichana Tunaweza. What makes me proud is not simply having an organisation or a project name. It is seeing the possibility of creating something that can outlive me and continue opening doors for girls, young mothers and other women.

I have learned that change is rarely immediate. Sometimes it is one girl gaining confidence, one woman learning a skill, one farmer discovering a better way of caring for the soil, or one young person realising that they can become part of the solution. Those small moments give me the courage to keep going.

If people want to get in touch with you, how can they?

People who would like to connect, collaborate, support our work or learn more about our projects can email me (rakinyi712@gmail.com) or connect on social media:
https://www.facebook.com/share/1YGb1mMEjf/

I am always open to meaningful partnerships, ideas and conversations with people who believe in creating positive change.

How can people support your work?

Support can come in many forms. Skills, mentorship, equipment, partnerships, training opportunities and simply helping us reach more people can make a meaningful difference.

People who would like to donate can do so here:
https://givebutter.com/girlswecan

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

I believe that every person has the ability to make a difference, regardless of where they come from or how little they have. My journey has taught me that you do not need to have everything figured out before you begin. Sometimes you simply need the courage to start with what you have, where you are, and with the people around you.

My dream is to see communities where girls are given the opportunity to learn and lead, where women have the skills and resources to build sustainable livelihoods, where young people see environmental protection as an opportunity rather than a burden, and where communities are empowered to create their own solutions.

I may not be able to change the whole world by myself, but I believe deeply in changing the small part of it that I can reach. If we empower one girl, strengthen one woman, restore one piece of land, or inspire one person to become a changemaker, we have already started changing the world. That is the work I am committed to, one person, one community and one action at a time.

To read an inspiring poem by Ruth, please visit our sister blog:
https://wordflowerpoetry.com/2026/02/21/from-a-dream-to-a-garden-of-hope/

Following are some photographs of her work.