"Growing up Catholic, I was raised with a clear understanding of right and wrong—especially when it came to abortion. It was a topic we didn’t talk about openly, but everyone knew where the Church stood. And for a long time, I stood there too. I was firmly anti-abortion, guided by values I held close and never thought I would question.

That changed the day someone close to me—someone deeply involved in our church—lost her life. This was back in 2015.

She wasn’t just any member of the congregation. She was a leader, a vibrant presence, and the soloist in our church dance group who brought the group to life. Kind, spirited, and faithful. No one would have guessed she was carrying such a heavy burden.

In Nyeri, where I’m from, when a woman had an abortion, people would often say it was a miscarriage. But we all knew what it really meant when someone was taken to Ward 12 at the hospital—it was known for handling abortion cases, even though no one dared say the word out loud.

She ended up in Ward 12. And we lost her.

That moment broke something in me. It forced me to question everything I thought I knew. I couldn’t help but wonder—What if she had access to safe abortion information? What if she had someone to talk to, someone who wouldn’t judge her but guide her? Maybe she would still be here.

That tragedy was my turning point.
Together with a few others in the community who were just as shaken, we formed a small group. We started talking about what no one else would—contraception, access to reproductive health services, and the importance of information. Our goal was simple: no one should die from silence, stigma, or shame.

Soon after, 2 or 3 years later, an organisation stepped in and conducted a VCAT (Values Clarification and Attitude Transformation) session with us. That session was transformative. It helped us unpack the values we had grown up with, challenged us to think critically, and equipped us with knowledge we could take back to our community.

I still hold my faith. That hasn’t changed. But my understanding of compassion, dignity, and health has grown in ways I never expected. And I now believe that faith and advocacy don’t have to be at odds.

We lost a beautiful life. But from that pain grew purpose. Today, we speak up, we educate, and we support—because every woman deserves access to safe, respectful reproductive healthcare. If you'd have told me years ago that I'd be doing this work, I might have not believed you but when you witness the loss up close, silence is no longer an option. Speaking out became my act of love and my way of honouring the life we lost"

No more lives should be needlessly lost that's why, #BongaNaAuntyJane through our toll free line 0800721530 text/WhatsApp on 0727101919 in collaboration with trained providers is here not only to listen, but to support every person through this journey of quality care.

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