Kenyan Woman Feted Along Prince Harry and Meghan Markle 

Photo of Co-Founder of Dandelion Africa Wendo Aszed taken on July 10, 2021.
Photo of Co-Founder of Dandelion Africa Wendo Aszed taken on July 10, 2021.
Population matters

Wendo Aszed, a Kenyan woman, was part of the pool of honorees recognized by a charity organization Population Matters on July 10.

The charity organization recognized individuals globally based on their effective and brave work to society in honour of World Population Day 2021. 

Wendo was awarded alongside the Duke and Duchess of Sussex Prince Harry and Megan Markle who were recognized for helping to ensure a better future for their children and being a role model to other families.

Photo of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex Prince Harry and Meghan Markle taken on June 19, 2020.
Photo of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex Prince Harry and Meghan Markle taken on June 19, 2020.
People

On receiving the Women's Champion Award, she expressed her sentiments based on it highlighting the driving force behind her work. 

"For this award, it means a lot to me and the community we serve."

"Women in rural areas face socio-cultural barriers that influence their utilization of SRHR services, the world is changing and so must the options women have in ensuring they get the highest standards of health attainable. Reproductive health, for us, is not an option, it is a priority," commented Wendo.  

She is the founder and executive director of Dandelion Africa, an organisation based in Kenya that focuses on women’s health and economic empowerment. 

The organization also has other initiatives such as 'Boys for Change' and 'Girls for Leaders' programmes that encourage young people to embrace gender equity and reproductive health services. 

Apart from the award, she also received a Ksh75,000 donation to the charity or cause of her choosing.

She was not the only Kenyan awarded as a community-based organisation, Komb Green Solutions, was also part of the pool. 

They were recognized based on conducting activities such as cleaning up the Nairobi River, building beautiful green spaces for residents as well as conducting outreach activities and helping prevent unwanted pregnancies by distributing free condoms.

"This award means that our efforts towards environmental conservation are being recognized worldwide through Population Matters. It will energise us to do more, to continue to reach for the stars and to set our eyes on our next goal in making the environment a comfortable place for the generation to come."

The organization was formed by reformed youths working to restore the environment in Korogocho slum.

Photo of a worker of Komb Green Solutions fixing a gabion along the Nairobi River taken on May 14, 2021.
Photo of a worker of Komb Green Solutions fixing a gabion along the Nairobi River taken on May 14, 2021.
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