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Our Stories
Jane Cheyech’s Story – Education, Courage, and a Promise to Give Back
My name is Jane Cheyech. I am 23 years old, from the Pokot community, born and raised in a small village called Rena in Kapenguria, Kenya. I grew up in a large family of 11 children — four boys and seven girls — and I am the third born. My…
Gladys Cheptoo’s Story – Safety, Support, and a New Beginning
Gladys Cheptoo is one of the girls whose life took a powerful turn thanks to timely protection, community action, and access to education. In the photograph, Gladys is standing on the right-hand side, wearing white socks and holding a blue cardboard card, alongside other girls who were supported at the…
Melvin Chepchumba’s Story – Courage That Protected Others
Melvin Chepchumba is 14 years old and currently in Grade 6. She lives in the hills of Lomut, in Sigor, an area where harmful traditional practices remain a serious risk for girls. Melvin lives with her elderly grandmother in a small grass-thatched hut. The family faces extreme poverty, and Melvin’s…
Emily Chepkemoi’s Story – Education as a Lifeline
Emily Chepkemoi is 13 years old. She lost her father six years ago, and her mother is currently unwell, leaving the family in an extremely vulnerable situation. With very limited income and ongoing health challenges at home, Emily’s childhood has been shaped by hardship and uncertainty. For some time, Emily…
Dorcas Cheplan’s Story – Hope Beyond Hardship
Dorcas Cheplan is 12 years old and currently in Grade 6. The woman standing beside her in the photographs is her mother, and the small hut behind them is the main family home where they live. The family faces extreme poverty, and daily life is a constant challenge. Dorcas’s father…
Brenda Chepoghisio’s Story – Caring for Others, Building a Future
Brenda Chepoghisio is a dedicated student nurse currently in her second year at Kenya Medical Training College – Kapenguria Campus. Her journey into nursing is rooted in compassion, resilience, and a deep desire to serve her community. From an early age, Brenda knew she wanted a career that would allow…
Silvia Cherop’s Story – Breaking the Cycle
Silvia Cherop is 15 years old and comes from the Pokot community. Her story reflects the strength of a mother determined to create a different future for her daughter. Silvia’s mother experienced significant hardship from a very young age due to harmful traditional practices and gender inequality. These experiences shaped…
Norah Cherotich’s Story – From Graduation to Giving Back
Norah Cherotich has reached a significant milestone in her journey. She has successfully completed her Certificate course in Nursing and graduated, a moment of pride not only for her, but for her entire community. Following her graduation, Norah went on to sit her Nursing Council professional examination, an important step…
Anne Cheruto’s Story – A Dream Worth Protecting
Anne Cheruto is 13 years old and currently in Grade 7. She comes from a deeply challenging background, shaped by poverty, cultural pressure, and abandonment — yet her determination to learn and serve others continues to shine through. Anne was born into a polygamous family. Her mother was the first…
Nancy Chenangat Peywok’s Story – Perseverance Through Loss and Learning
My name is Nancy Chenangat Peywok, born on 1998. I began my primary education in 2005 and completed it in 2013. I was eager to continue to secondary school, but life took a difficult turn when my mother—the main provider for our family—became seriously ill. Although my father was alive,…
Penina’s Courageous Journey
At just 16 years old, Penina Cheptoo has already faced more hardship than many experience in a lifetime. The third of eight children, Penina was born into a polygamous family where her mother was the third of four wives. From an early age, Penina and her siblings suffered the devastating…
From Struggle to Strength: Dorcas’ Story of Hope
Because every girl deserves a chance to shine A childhood shaped by loss Dorcas’ story of hope begins in the Kamatura region of Kenya, where an 11-year-old girl is defying the odds stacked against her. Dorcas Cheplilan was born into hardship. Her father passed away while her mother was still…
Meet Julia and Sophia – Sisters with Strength and Spirit
This is Julia Chemtai, a determined and kind-hearted student currently attending Chesta Girls’ Secondary School. And this is her older sister, Sophia Chepkorir, who is studying at Sebit Mixed Secondary School. Both sisters are sponsored by the wonderful Catherine, who stepped in at a pivotal moment in their lives. Julia…
Born to Run: Hope on the Hills of the Rift Valley
In the heart of Kenya’s Rift Valley, where the air is thin and the hills stretch towards the clouds, a group of girls rise before the sun. This region, known for its high altitude and breathtaking terrain, is a natural training ground — one that has produced some of the…
Anne’s Story: A Light in the Darkness
At just 13 years old, Anne has already faced more hardship than many face in a lifetime. Born into a polygamous family in rural Kenya, Anne is the daughter of the first wife. Her father, in search of sons to carry on his lineage, left Anne’s mother behind with nothing—no…
A Story of Bravery: Grace’s Journey
Grace (name changed for privacy) is a resilient 16-year-old girl who has overcome immense challenges in her young life. She is the third-born in a family of eight siblings, living in a rural community with deeply entrenched traditions. Growing up in a polygamous household, her mother was one of four…
Empowering Women Through Nursing: Stories from Kenya
In Sub-Saharan Africa, access to professional healthcare education remains limited, leaving many rural communities without adequate medical care. Recognizing this challenge, One Woman At A Time (OWAAT) has partnered with Ortum Mission Hospital in Kenya to address two critical issues: the lack of healthcare professionals fluent in local tribal languages…
Mercy and Julia’s Story: Running with Onions, Dreaming of a Better Life
Mercy (20) and Julia (22) are two young women from Pokot, driven by a shared dream of building a better future. Every day, they walk the streets from dawn until dusk, selling onions to make ends meet. This grueling work, known as “running with onions,” sees them pounding the streets…
Salome’s Story: Escaping FGM and Embracing Education
Salome’s journey is one of incredible bravery, resilience, and determination. At just 14 years old, she was confronted with a life-altering truth—her family had secretly arranged for her to undergo Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in preparation for an arranged marriage. It began innocently enough, with Salome fetching water from the…
Divinah’s Story: A Mother’s Determination to Build a Better Future
At just 21 years old, Divinah (name changed for privacy) is a single mother of two, courageously working to improve her life and the lives of her children. Her journey is marked by resilience, determination, and an unwavering commitment to her dreams. Divinah’s life has been anything but easy. She…
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Our Events
Bali’s Story: A Young Changemaker Making a Big Difference
Meet Bali, a remarkable 15-year-old participant in The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, whose commitment to helping others is already creating real-world impact. Driven by a passion for equality and justice, Bali chose to support One Woman at a Time—a charity dedicated to empowering girls to escape early forced marriage and…
Morecambe Cross Bay Walk
Next Walk Date: 31st August 2025 BOOK ON THE WALK NOW – with TRYBOOKING CLICK HERE BOOK ON THE WALK – With BOOKITZONE CLICK HERE Join us for this amazing walk with a backdrop of stunning scenery from Arnside to Grange-over-Sands. People have been crossing the sands with a royal-appointed…
Operation Limelight: Protecting Girls from Harm
At One Woman At A Time, our mission is to empower women and girls to shape their own futures, free from harm and fear. As part of this mission, our founder Jean Anderson has been collaborating with Essex Police and partners at Stansted Airport on Operation Limelight, a vital initiative…
Camino De Santiago Trek 2024
We would love you to join us on our 5-day charity fundraising challenge walking the last 67K on the famous Camino de Santiago Pilgrimage Route. There are only 5 places left. BOOK NOW: https://gac-brochures.com/brochures/camino-de-santiago-trek/?charity=10580
Cycle Challenge
Jessica is organising an Atlas Mountains Cycle Challenge …. A fabulous route from bustling Marrakech to beautiful Agadir on the coast, via the famous Tizi N Test pass over the Atlas Mountains! Fully catered with great local accommodation, full support and quality cycle hire included. The ascents are challenging; the…
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News & Updates
Bali’s Story: A Young Changemaker Making a Big Difference
Meet Bali, a remarkable 15-year-old participant in The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, whose commitment to helping others is already creating real-world impact. Driven by a passion for equality and justice, Bali chose to support One Woman at a Time—a charity dedicated to empowering girls to escape early forced marriage and…
From Struggle to Strength: Dorcas’ Story of Hope
Because every girl deserves a chance to shine A childhood shaped by loss Dorcas’ story of hope begins in the Kamatura region of Kenya, where an 11-year-old girl is defying the odds stacked against her. Dorcas Cheplilan was born into hardship. Her father passed away while her mother was still…
Morecambe Cross Bay Walk
Next Walk Date: 31st August 2025 BOOK ON THE WALK NOW – with TRYBOOKING CLICK HERE BOOK ON THE WALK – With BOOKITZONE CLICK HERE Join us for this amazing walk with a backdrop of stunning scenery from Arnside to Grange-over-Sands. People have been crossing the sands with a royal-appointed…
Operation Limelight: Protecting Girls from Harm
At One Woman At A Time, our mission is to empower women and girls to shape their own futures, free from harm and fear. As part of this mission, our founder Jean Anderson has been collaborating with Essex Police and partners at Stansted Airport on Operation Limelight, a vital initiative…
Camino De Santiago Trek 2024
We would love you to join us on our 5-day charity fundraising challenge walking the last 67K on the famous Camino de Santiago Pilgrimage Route. There are only 5 places left. BOOK NOW: https://gac-brochures.com/brochures/camino-de-santiago-trek/?charity=10580
New partnership announced
It’s International Women’s Day 2024! How are you celebrating? We have something special to announce. We have joined forces with The Wellbeing Farm : B Corp Certified venue experience who from today will be actively supporting our charity and special cause. Being a female-founded business and a business which has…
Cycle Challenge
Jessica is organising an Atlas Mountains Cycle Challenge …. A fabulous route from bustling Marrakech to beautiful Agadir on the coast, via the famous Tizi N Test pass over the Atlas Mountains! Fully catered with great local accommodation, full support and quality cycle hire included. The ascents are challenging; the…