 This is the way to do it. This is the way to do it. This is the way to do it. We live in an era where young people's voices are suppressed due to denied opportunities. But today we have Felicity Modis, a spoken word artist and the founder of the Freedom in Healing organization who uses our voice as an anchor to the community. Karibusana Felicity. Thank you so much for having me. So tell us a bit about yourself. What do you do? Just as you have said, my name is Felicity Modis. I am a spoken word artist and I also run an organization alongside my sister. It's called Freedom in Healing. We deal with issues, anti-sexual violence and mental health specifically amongst minors. And so take us through your journey as a spoken word artist. Where did all this begin? Oh goodness. I feel like it's a whole thing because so much has happened in such a short time. If I told you that I have been doing this professionally for just a year, it's usually so hard to believe. Yes, I began last year with the poetic hour. Yes, so a friend of mine sent me the application and he was like, I think you should try this because we've actually never had you. You keep telling us you do poetry, but no one has ever had anything you do. So I think you should apply. So I did. I did not know I would actually be chosen when I went for the auditions, but then that is how I got in. Yeah, so so far it's been beautiful. I cannot exactly complain because I think I have like walked such a milestone in such a short period of time. Yes. And is it a talent you have an inborn skill or something you learned along the way? I actually have not gone to any talent school. I believe I have the voice. I have the writing, but I also strongly believe in being around people that actually build you up because I can confidently say before I joined the poetic hour, my writing wasn't as good as it is. My stage presence wasn't as good as it is. So it's also been the family of artists that I have been surrounded with. And I always say like a whole lot of the thing I am right now, I have been molded and built up through the poetic hour team. Yes. Yes. You said that you used to tell people you're a poet, but they're like, we've never seen something, you know. So why did you say you are a poet? Did you do it as childhood? Did you experience some poetry along the way in school? I did not do poetry actually when I was growing up. I was in drama club in high school, won an award somewhere there, but then it was not those things that she takes seriously because growing up you're told school is the way to go. Talent will not pay you to not put food on the table, so you have to go to school. And so, you know, it's just like this was fun, but you're thank you guys, I'm done. But then I experienced poetry in college, not because anyone was doing it, but there's this lady she's called genetics, she's like one of the world's greatest artists I have ever had. And a friend of mine sent me one of her pieces. And so I got curious, who is this girl? Because for me, before I get to actually follow someone, I'd like to know what's their backstory, what are some of the other work that you have done. And so I stumbled upon one of her pieces, it's called Truth Without Photoshop. And at that point in my life, I was at a very dark place, I was very depressed, I was suicidal, I used to self hum. So listening to Truth Without Photoshop was actually the first time I had someone speaking about sexual violence without blaming the survivor. Yes, that was the first time I was like, what? So other people have gone through what I have gone through. And they have reason to be creating such impact in the world. And for me, that was the light bubble was like, what am I doing with myself? You know, and so that is when the interest actually began, because I was like, so someone can use their voice to touch someone like me. And I felt like my life was turning around all of a sudden. So I would say that is where my love for poetry began. I could not write, I had to do her pieces over and over again. Just listen, write down the words she was saying and try them out. But of course, she's genetics, you cannot get to her level just yet within like a short time. But yes, that is where the interest began. You've spoken about Truth Without Photoshop. Yes. So what themes do you incorporate in your pieces? In my pieces, I do issues, human rights. And when I speak about human rights, because I know it's so wide, my major focus has been on women empowerment. If you have had a lot of my pieces, that's the direction we take. But I also do issues on governance and leadership. I do issues on healing and wholeness, because my major goal in every single what I say is, is you're done listening to me with your three minutes or five minutes of your time. What is it that you are getting out of it? Am I saving a life? Am I building a life? Am I correcting something? Am I spreading some joy around the world? So for me, that is the major goal. If it is not creating any impact, I don't want to be part of it. You've spoken of creating impact. Do you feel your pieces have done enough to change the narrative around the sexual rights or the human rights that you've been talking about? Immensely, immensely. One of the highlights of me after every single event has always been people coming up to you and they say, you were talking about me. That was my story. You were speaking to me. This has completely revolutionized how I see myself and how I see things. I am totally choosing a different path for myself. And for me, it's never the applause when I'm on stage. It is that moment. So after every single performance, I'm always looking forward to which life did we transform today? For me, it's not about the masses. It's just like that one person. Recently, I just did my first feature poetry show, Kataseo de Poitikawa. It was called Sister Darling. We were doing stories around just the journeys and experiences of women, the ones who were, the ones who are and those that are yet to come. As a woman, what have been some of your struggles? What have been your victories? How have you navigated life to the point where you are? And our major focus for this first episode was on issues, sexual and gender-based violence and mental health. And it's crazy that the following day, I'm on my way to Homa Bay for Anesa Rechar thing with some kids for Compassion Kenya. And these two ladies are sitting in front of me, Komat. And they did not know me. So I hear something that sounds like me. And then this girl goes, oh my God, I was at her show yesterday. You should have had this girl. She is so powerful. I'm definitely following all how I'm going forward. And I'm working away from that man. And then the friend laughs and he's like, it's going to take a total stranger for me to actually work out. And in my heart, I was like, Jesus, this is it. This is that moment for me. I did not introduce myself. I did not say it's me, but I was like, this is the moment. So for me, it's that. It's that impact, it's that transformed lives. It gives me joy. Is there a significant piece, like the one you're talking about, that has spearheaded your mission to the roof? I would say I am biased because it's my work. I would say all my pieces, they, it's usually for different people, different things get to them. And of course, we're doing different topics. Someone is like, yes, this was it for me. But one of my major masterpieces that I love, like, oh my God, I love all of them, forgive me dear pieces, but it's called the revolution. And the revolution was cutting across challenges of women and getting to this point of saying we are the revolution, like sister darling, you are capable of being the change, but fast is going to have to start within you. So there's actually a line that says that I hope you heal, you know. So for me, because that is where my whole revolutionary work began at the healing stage. So it's my prayer for every single queen that we get to heal. And once we can heal, then we can get our voices back and we can be audacious about it. So if I'm to pick, I would go with the revolution. Vo is wondered what it would feel like to walk this world and afraid. Wearing freedom is a shiny ornament, a stump. I just say we can create a revolution. In fact, we can be the revolution. And as divine as it sounds it will take work on the inside before the out. So either you queen to fight every single raging battle in the inside of you and ensure you win. The ones against your self-worth, your self-esteem, your dreams and desires, the culture surrounding you, people's perceptions of you, the limitations set by society for you, your ideas on men, on fellow women, all these visions that you have for yourself, I hope you heal. I hope you learn to speak again, even if you have to start with A, B, C. I hope you learn to laugh with the abandon of a little girl who's no no darkness or gloom. Like the great warrior you are audaciously stepping into the battlefield, committed to victory. Not just for you, but so your fellow sisters, your daughters, the generations coming after you would never have to fight such wars ever again. I hope you keep evolving every day. And once you do, queen, you will be unstoppable. You will be the revolution. And maybe, just maybe, we will all know how it feels like to walk this world and afraid. Thank you. Freedom in healing. You are the co-founder. You are the founder of freedom in healing. Let's talk about that. What is it? All right, so freedom in healing has been founded alongside my sister, Aikus Mudis. And just like I said when I was introducing myself, basically we deal with issues, anti-sexual violence and mental health amongst minors. And freedom in healing, when it has always been a desire in my heart, like what can we do to just show people that you're not alone, to show children that you exist. It was not your fault that this happened to you. Mental health issues is a normal thing. You do not have to crucify yourself because it has, you know, you're going through that. So it had always been in my heart. And my sister shares the same dream. But when COVID hit and then there was a spike in sexual violations, there was a spike in mental health issues. And the thing with being a child is a lot of times when you say, I have, I'm stressed out. Someone asks you, you're not a mom, you don't have a child, you're not married. What are you stressed about? But then the thing is these are individuals with real issues, real challenges. So the goal was what can we do to ensure that they know that they are not alone and we are here for them. And where I come from, it's both Islam and what is it? What's Usha go in English? But it's both, it's a rural area and it's Islam. So you can imagine just how bad it was, especially with COVID. So yeah, that is basically how freedom in healing came about. I love the fact that you've mentioned how the community puts down when someone says they are stressed. So how do you maneuver through such incidences that are not shed a light upon them? All right. One thing that we decided to begin with was creating awareness amongst children. There's just something about telling a child something they will not forget. And especially when you do not come here with dictionary definitions and all these big words, but just trying to break it down that for you, what does stress mean? What does depression mean? How are you feeling? So that went a long way in helping us because children are the best ambassadors you can have. The moment they hear something here today, they're definitely going to be telling a friend. So the next time we're having a community convening, definitely we're having more kids on board. But we also have worked with people that people respect in the community like pastors around some community elders, so that we know we are safe. No matter what is happening, if there is a case somewhere and we want to take charge of it, we know that we are safe. If someone starts a fake rumor about this is what freedom in healing does, it's misleading your children. But we know we have a backup by someone who's respected in the community. So for us, those two things have really, really helped us to be able to just maneuver through. So you're a young person doing spoken word exclusively and freedom in healing. So what inspired such a vocal mission as a young person? It's been my experiences and the experiences of the people around me and just the things that I hear around the world. I mean, the world is a very, it's a very beautiful place, but the world is also a very terrifying place. Yes, yes, yes. So for me, when we talk about issues, mental health, I know I mentioned it in passing at some point, I was very mentally unstable. Let's just call it that. Very mentally unstable, depressed, soft ham, societal. And when you're talking about issues, anti-sexual violence, at some point I was defiled for like about a whole month when I was about seven years old going on eight. So it happened at part of seven years and then when I stepped into eight years. And you know, it's one of those things that when they happen, I think it's basically just around the same thing with trauma, because that point when it hits you, it's like, maybe this is supposed to be happening. I just don't know because you're a child. No one has said nothing. Yeah, so maybe this is how it's supposed to be happening. And two, if I'm supposed to say this, whom will I tell this to? And will I be judged? Will I be the one to be told that I was the one in the wrong? And so I just wanted to be able to change the narrative for other young people who may be going through the same or who have been through the same. And just say, the thing with being a child, a lot of times people will tell you, are you really sure? Are you really sure that's what happened or you are dreaming? Did you just say, I have a bad dream? So I do not want kids to have to go through that same thing that I went through. And because we cannot change, extremely change people's mindsets and attitudes and actions by now. And sexual violence is not something that we will be able to eliminate completely even in the next 50 years. Then what can we do? We can create a self-space, tell you, create awareness about these things that when it's happening, you know, only enough. This is what is happening to me. So supposed to be happening to me. And this is what I can do to seek help. So is this being not self-space in the community? So how has the community received your vocal mission and work? It's been also a coin to science. Because one thing about me is, any single time I have to speak about something, I say it in black and white. So if we're going to be talking about sex over here, I'm not going to be trying to cremate and make it look like it's not sex. We're going to be talking about sexual violations. I want to be able to say it as plainly as it is. And for some parents, and because we, some of the people that we work with are in the churches. So for some parents, it was like, hi, what are you teaching your children? But then with time, because you're also not just creating awareness to children. And I think that's where sometimes you go wrong as advocates for kids, because our major focus has been on the kids, kids, kids, and then we are forgetting they have caregivers at the end of the day. After I tell you all these things I've told you, you still have to go back home to that mom or dad or uncle, grandma who does not know nothing about exactly what I have said. So what has helped us is also we have tried so much to incorporate parents in the things that we do so that they also know. So like we have a program, it's called Tunisian Tani. Usually happens during school holidays, very long ones. So whenever we're having Tunisian Tani, when you're meeting with the kids every single day, we have to ensure we are meeting with the parents at least once a week. And when we're having the final talents day, then the parents are also present for that so that they know what is it exactly that you're telling our children and how safe are they here, and what can I pick also as a parent. With the organization, our major focus was kids, zero to 17 years. Yes. But then now we have different programs, so different things. So when we are doing, for instance, we have a society prevention awareness month campaign every September around schools. So we know our focus is zero to 17 years, you're going to be speaking to kids in high school, you're going to be speaking to kids in primary schools. When we are doing Tunisian Tani, again, we know zero to 17 years. So we have different classes because there's a way I would break something down for a three-year-old that I will not be able to break it down to 17-year-old as well. So then we have different classes for all those different age groups. We have a program, it's a teen moms corner. So specifically for teen moms who have been through sexual violation and that is how they got to have their children. And so, of course, that is also different because our major focus is now on just specifically teen moms. Yeah. And then we have a program is called She's Free. Also, just we did our first episode just this year, but now she's free. It's for young women 18 to 35 years, because now we want to, you know, even if you are not planning to be a mom, but you are a caregiver to a child, you have siblings, you have, you have friends, you have young people you may be mentoring. And so when you get to this place of understanding that I am free, my goodness, I am, I can be bold, I can be audacious, I can be wild in this freedom. Then it's so easy for the younger generation to be able to look up to you and to be able to have someone they say I can depend on granny, I can depend on so and so. So that was the major goal of She's Free as we are planning on ending sexual violence and creating a safe space over issues, mental health. Then what is it that even as young women we can do? So it's not just about let's come, let's have fun, let's share ideas, let's heal, let's unfold. But also after all this is said and done and we are empowered, let's go back and do the same to the community. How has that journey been so far? And are there any significant moments you can mention and say, wow, this was a break in our mission? I would say the journey has been, oh god, up and down, up and down. Being a young person, you know sometimes you, because you know, especially as we interact a lot with kids, but we would say our secondary audience is parents, it's caregivers and sometimes someone looks at you and they're like, what are you going to tell me? Yeah, and then when they get past the young person, then they go to the next, which is a woman, what can you tell me? You're just a young woman, you're just a woman, what can you really tell us? And so that has been a thing, but when they actually hear you talk for the few people who can give you audience and they start being like, oh, this kid is making fun. And so it's been one of those things where I tell myself, honey, be audacious, just be just be crazily audacious. If we need to talk to them, then go into that space and make your voice heard and people will start respecting you and listening to you from that. But the moment someone says you're just a younger, what can you tell us? And then you decide to close off, then the mission is actually, we're not doing anything about it, right? But I would say for us, every single moment has been significant. You've ever dreamt about something and then you are in that moment when it's happening and you're like, oh my God, did we just do Tini's Mutahani episode two? It happened. Oh my God, did we just have our kids performing at Sister Dali? The actualization of the ideas. Yes, yes. So for me, it's that, oh my God, did we just have kids signing up for therapy and we're having young women signing up for therapy. They're coming to us, you know? So if I would say anything mind blowing, it's been those moments every day. Wow. And are there any challenges you can speak about that you've manoeuvred through? Of course, there have to be. And especially when you're talking about things as delicate as sexual violations and just issues, gender-based violence, thank God we are still safe. But we have had a couple of times where people have come to hunt us down at our place because now you're working in the community, people know you, people know where you come from, and people have literally walked over to us and like, what's your number, my uncle, what's your name, and so one thing that has actually helped us is we have a lot of allies where you can actually be able to say, just come back because you know, I may not be able to have the resources of simplicity, but I am in lesson with a few organizations who do so that the next time you come threatening me when you're the one who's doing something wrong. So that has also kept us safe. And also the thing that I spoke about of lasting with community leaders, then you have people you can depend on and go, but see, so and so came saying this, so then they're able to handle them, or you can go to a community leader and just say, so and so came over to me to threaten me, is there something you can do about it? And so issues have resolved. So far, no harm has come to us in the sense of literally just being beaten or because I know human rights defenders go through a lot of really bad experiences, but so far none has happened to us, apart from just threats here and there. And so you kept referring us to your secondary target audience, which are the parents and the society at large. What do you suggest the community help in embracing and or empowering the young kids that you're targeting? I honestly think the best way the community can help, taxi back to healing, it is in that. It is in breaking the cycles that for a very long time we were taught women have to be this way and men have to be this way. And there are things you can say and there are things you cannot be vocal about. The real transformation is going to begin when we can actually start breaking cycles, cycles of trauma. And the sad thing is, sometimes you look at your parents and you'd want to blame them for so many things that happened to you in as much as they have been amazing. Oh, I don't want my mom to think this about how because she's amazing. But sometimes you look at your parents and you're like, you could have done better by me. You should have done better by me. But then at the end of the day, they did not know better. This is all they know because this is what was passed down to them. And so we have normalized trauma until it's like, this is a normal part of life. I mean, it's growing up. It's how Afrikaans behave. It's how children behave. It's how women behave. It's how you're expected to behave by society. So we have to get to the point of questioning. What is it that was passed down to me that is injurious to me? What has hurt me? What is it that has also been passed down to me that I've seen is beautiful? Can I pass it to the next generation? So if the community is ever to do anything, it is going to have to start by every single one of us is breaking the cycles of trauma and breaking the cycles of misinformation because there's someone else who's is very comfortable with the rep culture. And it's okay to them. It's like, it's a normal thing. Why should I have to ask you to have sex with me? You're a woman. So give it to me when I want it. It's, it's very okay. There's someone else who's very comfortable with mental health issues. It's just who I am and people are not seeking help. So breaking the cycle or one or just attitudes and because before we break down on the attitudes, we're not going to be able to do much even as much as we're making nice on advocacy and advocacy. It's going to have to start with every individual breaking the cycles of trauma and breaking the cycles of misinformation that has been passed down to us. So I might be someone listening to you and I need to find you. Where can we find you? You spoke of having YouTube channels mentioned the handles you can use. It's Felicity Moody's everywhere. I'm an artist. I have never gotten an artistic name. So for me it's Felicity Moody's everywhere. Facebook, Instagram, YouTube for the organization. It's again, freedom in healing everywhere. Facebook, Instagram, YouTube. Yes. Yes. Wow. Thank you so much Felicity. I have learned a lot and I love that you're so vocal about important things in society. And I'm sure my viewer, you have appreciated her time. As she has said, you're not voiceless. You just have to find your voice. However rough it may be, find it and do it. Do it. Do it. Fearful. You will always get a hand that will lift you up. This has been Newton Action. I am Nyong' Wester Grenis. Bye.