Today we’d like to introduce you to Kemmy Nyakundi.
Kemmy, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I am a wife, mother of three, and a Nurse. Like so many women today, I juggle family, work, faith, friends, and every other endeavor as best as I can. But a few years ago, I began to realize things in my life that I had missed or overlooked as I tried to live my everyday life. And it had to do with my daughter.
I stopped to take stock, and I realized that while I had an ideal picture in my mind about how to raise my daughter, I had indeed let some things fall through the cracks. I realized that I needed more time to really be with her. I needed to give her my undivided attention as much as possible. I needed her to know she was loved and understood. I needed to build a thriving connection with her. But I couldn’t do these things unless I was intentional. I couldn’t do it while running out the door in a hurry. So I started to take time with her. We cooked together (which made me realize I hadn’t taught her so many things that would help her grow into an independent and capable adult), we hung out together, we talked about her interests, her thoughts, her friends. We had fun and created mother/daughter memories together. I learned a lot about her and also intentionally taught her things I had somehow, inadvertently assumed she would pick up on her own.
This whole process inspired me. Then I realized how much more power and inspiration could be spread around if we intentionally encouraged each other as a community of women and girls to do the same. To be clear about how we engage with our daughters and prepare them for life as adults. To bridge the gaps that have existed between mothers and daughters, to mend relationships, to encourage our children to learn from older women in the community.
This was how Duchess & Duchess was birthed—out of my need to actively learn and grow through the challenges of motherhood and to do it with other mothers and women in the community.
I have learned that despite the challenges of managing a career and caring for our families, leaving our children’s emotional and spiritual growth to chance is not an option.
At Duchess and Duchess, we desire to connect with other mothers as we continue to learn on the motherhood journey. I am passionate about creating opportunities for girls to receive vital learning and information that will help them grow into capable women able to fulfill their greatest potential. It takes little for children to be broken and unable to handle the pressures of adulthood. It is my hope that through the activities of the ministry, this can be prevented as more girls are taught the principles that will make them wise and capable, women. We also hope to create an atmosphere of connection where mothers and daughters are encouraged to make understanding, love, and meaningful connections a priority.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Starting out was a little challenging, I may say. Mobilizing and organizing the community to impart the idea to all mothers was met with some skepticism, but as years went by, most have bought into the idea, and participation has been great.
Getting sponsors to support the Duchess N Duchess vision still remains an uphill task, but the board is working tirelessly in working with local and regional establishments to partner with us through this noble cause.
We have been blessed to have some of the most qualified professionals in family issues who are always willing and available to work with our mothers and daughters in all the Duchess N Duchess events.
Time has also proven to be a limited resource. Juggling life between family, work and planning Duchess N Duchess events with my able board members alongside our dedicated volunteers have been quite challenging, but we have successfully managed to pull through all events with minor glitches.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Duchess N Duchess – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as an organization and what sets you apart from others.
Duchess and Duchess is a non-profit organization registered under chapter 501c3 of our tax code.
It’s an organization for mothers and daughters, which seek to create a safe forum for interacting with the intent of fostering a strong and enduring family relationship.
The organization has partnered with a wide range of professional experts in family development to address many challenging issues facing our families within the larger community.
It’s tough to pinpoint what I am known for in the community, but if anything, I like to see my self as a servant of God trying to connect with my community through the lens of our children, by position ourselves as their role models.
The most pride of the organization that I embrace is the many stigmas and barriers we have managed to break within our community. Witnessing testimonials from real parents and siblings being shared during the Duchess N Duchess events is nothing short of ecstatic.
I am also very proud of our young girls who have proven us time and again how strong-willed they are. Their passionate expressions and vibrancy in Duchess N Duchess events participation has been heartwarming to me and is a real testament that the organizations’ vision is on the right course.
Duchess N Duchess is no different from many other great organizations who have dedicated time and resources to make our families and the community at large, a better place. I have to mention though that our success has its strength anchored on the foundation of God’s unrelenting love for all humanity and the realization that each one of us has a part to play in this life.
We will continue to partner with all our interested personalities, professionals, and entities in our journey to achieve a well-rounded family growth in which our daughters are spiritually fulfilled and happy.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
Our plan for the future is to open Duchess N Duchess chapters around the world.
Contact Info:
- Address: 5416 still canyon Dr
McKinney Texas 75071 - Website: www.duchessnduchess.org
- Phone: 2142871571, 4694568109
- Email: info@duchessnduchess.com
- Instagram: Duchess & Duchess
- Facebook: Duchess N Duchess
- Twitter: Duchess & Duchess
Image Credit:
Raquel Rivera Angwenyi and VMP
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition, please let us know here.
