Jedidah Lemaron
Founder/ Executive Director
The Malkia Initiative is a youth-led, women-led community organization established to unleash the boundless potential of adolescent girls and youth in the rural pastoralist regions of Kajiado, Kenya. Founded in 2015, we are on a mission to “crown” every African girl, equipping her with the skills, agency, and confidence needed to lead and inspire
We operate in a deeply patriarchal setting within the indigenous Maasai community, where girls often face systemic marginalization. In Kajiado, girls encounter formidable challenges, including a 24% prevalence of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), a 22% teenage pregnancy rate, and the highest number of new HIV infections among adolescents aged 10–14 in the country. We exist for girls like Namunyak, a young mother navigating cultural expectations, and Sanaipei, a survivor of child marriage who rebuilt her life through vocational training
How we bring together young professionals to mentor children in rural schools. The message, “IT’S POSSIBLE” to be whoever you dream to be!
By focusing on education, health, and leadership, the Malkia Initiative is committed to breaking down the barriers that hold young women back and building a more equitable world.
We support girls and youth with safe spaces, health services, mentorship, and education support so they can grow, stay in school, and lead change
We collect and share data and stories from communities to show what works and help leaders make better decisions for girls.
We raise funds, build partnerships, and provide tools so programs for girls have the support they need to succeed and grow.
Our work is guided by the principles of Mentorship, Authenticity, Leadership, Knowledge, Inclusion, and Aspiration.
We believe in the innate potential of every girl and foster resilience to help them overcome cultural and social barriers
We welcome teams and individuals to support our work: Volunteers, Funders and Implementing Partners.
