Author(s): Lillian Muchiri

Biography

Growing up in a small village in Kenya, Lillian faced many challenges, from severe hunger to having no shoes or clothes in her earlier years. She grew up in a polygamous family. She slept in one bed with all her siblings; her father beat the children and their mother. In addition to her harsh upbringing, Lillian faced the practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), among other grave cultural challenges. Women in her village were, and continue to be, treated like objects with no voice or a safe place to run to for refuge.

Through resilience and perseverance, Lillian embraced these traditions as everyday practices growing up, until she realised that they were unfair and promised her mother that she would do something about it.

In her later years, Lillian migrated to Australia, where she self-funded a Degree in Nursing at Central Queensland University. She later graduated with a Master of Nursing at the University of Queensland while raising her two boys. She is now ready to bring awareness to the world on the issues she and many others have faced growing up.

One day, she plans to build Karibu; a women's and children's home in her community to give back what her mother and siblings lacked during the times they needed it most.

Lillian wishes to inspire those who come across her book, Looking Back to Move Forward, to understand that despite your upbringing and past, you must not give up. Lillian believes that nothing defines you or your future; you, as a person, are the primary determinant.

In this world, it is easy to condemn and bully others without intuition. She wishes for people to be kind to one another and spreads a message of compassion and reflection to embrace others without judgment to live in harmony.