Community building, hard conversations and personal development have always been at the center of Wanjiku’s work. When she launched her book – Hope Made A Way, she knew her target audience – young people who grew up in hardship and limited opportunities, needed her to reach out to them. This is why the book drives idea was birthed.

The book drives are a fun way of engaging with young people especially girls and young women to discuss some of the pressing issues that they are facing in the communities they live in. Wanjiku partners with community based organizations as well other institutions of influence where young people are likely to be.

The Dandora book drive was special as this was the community that Wanjiku grew in. The session had more than 150 young women from all the five phases of Dandora with some coming with their children. Some of the participants had already interacted with the book as it was given in an event supported by National Syndemic Control Council. The CEO, Dr. Ruth Masha had graced the event to address the triple threat, new HIV infections, teen pregnancies and gender based violence.

The conversation in the book drive also geared towards these three issues with young women opening up about facing physical, emotional and financial violence. They also shared that HIV was a barrier in getting relationships that were meaningful and seeked advice on how to navigate the same.

The participants ended the day with a photo session, each of them getting a book and some snacks. Positive Young Women Voices and Dandora 36 TV were the partners in the event which was a great success.