We had the good fortune of connecting with Lily Wachuku and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lily, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
I am from a family full of very diverse interests and a mindset for self-improvement and world betterment. This has definitely impacted me since the very beginning of my life! I have been raised to believe in myself, to strive for the best in all that I do, and to use my gifts and talents to positively impact the world. Because of this background and encouragement from my family, I truly believed that I could make a positive change in the world if I tried. So, I started my Girls’ Empowerment Organization “Live Life The Girl Way” (livelifethegirlway.com), to empower and encourage girls globally to achieve all of their goals and dreams, to be confident in themselves and their abilities, and to never limit their positive opportunities in life. Since then I have just been learning and growing as a teenager with my organization!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Running a Girls’ Empowerment Organization while going to high school is definitely a journey. My age definitely sets me apart from others every day, so there are a lot of learning curves. For example, I had to step into a somewhat professional role at the age of 13. I learned how to send business e-mails, how to schedule and attend meetings using proper etiquette, and how to use my words succinctly to convey my messages. It has been an interesting and sometimes difficult journey, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I am most excited about my new “Fuel Her Dreams” initiative! Recently, my Girls’ Empowerment Organization launched the “Fuel Her Dreams” initiative in collaboration with UNICEF USA. When I learned that many girls in Malawi were not given the chance to complete their education after primary school I was displeased, and when I heard that because of this many were exploited through child marriage I was angry. So, I launched my “Fuel Her Dreams” initiative to provide 20 girls in Malawi with an entire year of education this year. I need $3,540 to accomplish this goal. I am working as hard as I can to achieve this goal, but I still need help. I would greatly appreciate donations to this fundraiser to help to save girls in Malawi from child marriage. (https://charity.gofundme.com/o/en/campaign/fuel-her-dreams1)

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Over the past year, I have not had a lot of opportunities to explore this amazing city due to the pandemic, but I have a few all-time favorite spots. I love Houston’s Museum District and Uptown Park Houston; I recommend a day of exploration in these two places for anyone looking to have some fun. At Uptown Park, I love Crave Cupcakes because of their delicious and aesthetically pleasing cupcakes. Also, I’m a total geek for knowledge, so I have to recommend Houston’s many museums. I love visiting the museums because I am always amazed and inspired by what I see, so I come home smarter than I went in! Visit the Houston Museum of Natural Science and don’t forget to check out the amazing geodes.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I have achieved a lot in the last three years, but I certainly did not do it alone. I would like to acknowledge my amazing family for their unwavering support of my dreams, my best friends for their kindness and support, and TED Talks for motivating me to grow as a person to better the world. These people and resources really shaped me into who I am today!

Website: livelifethegirlway.com

Twitter: @livelifethegir1

Other: Please Donate Today To Educate Girls In Malawi: https://charity.gofundme.com/o/en/campaign/fuel-her-dreams1

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