SHE RECOVERS: A CELEBRATION OF RESILIENCE, HOPE AND SISTERHOOD
When women gather, emotions tend to swell. But on this particular day at the Empower Her Recovery Centre- Nueva Annex, the tears that flowed were not of pain or struggle. They were tears of triumph. It was September 27th September 2024, and what unfolded was more than just an event – it was a movement. The SHE RECOVERS Movement had finally found its way to Kenya, and in that moment, it became clear: she does recover, and she does it with strength.
As I listened to Wangui Mucara speak, her vision was undeniable- a collective of women redefining recovery means. It was not just about overcoming personal battles, it was about inspiring hope, ending stigma, and supporting one another on a shared journey. “We are all recovering from something,” She reminded us. Whether trauma, substance use, mental health issues, or the silent weight of life’s challenges, no woman should walk the road alone. Recovery should not be a solitary moment and the SHE RECOVERS Movement steps in, creating a powerful sisterhood of resilience and healing.
As Caroline Kagia shared her personal story of battling addiction for nearly two decades, she set the stage for a powerful conversation on recovery. Her raw account underscored the central message of the day: recovery is not a solitary path and addiction does noes not respect class, religion, and gender. More women took to the stage to share their stories, and emotions continued to swell as they acknowledged that healing starts with acknowledging their pain.
Then came the moment everyone had been waiting for Ms. Anne Mathu, NACADA Board Vice Chairperson, the Chief Guest, to take the stage. Known for her magnetic storytelling, Ann’s presence electrified the gathering. She did not just tell her story, she brought her audience into it. With raw emotion, she shared her battle with alcohol, sneaking bottles into school to nearly losing her life. Her story was not just a tale of overcoming- it was a reflection of every woman in recovery. Her message was simple: no matter how far down you have gone, there is always a way back up.
As the event drew to a close, it took a more somber yet poignant turn. The women gathered together for a candle-lighting ceremony to honor those who had lost their lives to substance use. The flickering candles symbolized not just loss but also remembrance and a promise to continue fighting for those in need of treatment and rehabilitation. It was a deeply moving tribute, reminding everyone that the journey had just begun.
To officially mark the launch of the SHE RECOVERS Movement in Kenya, a beautiful cake was cut, symbolizing new beginnings. The cutting of the cake was a sweet reminder of how far the women had come and how much hope lay ahead for the recovery journey. On that day, it was evident- she recovers, they recover, and together, women can rise above anything.
September is the National Recovery Month that seeks to create a sense of community for people in recovery and their families and others supporting them giving them a safe space to celebrate and acknowledge their achievements.