My life matters — not despite my colour and race, but because of it. I want to use my voice to shine a light on racism, to speak the truths that are too often ignored. I hope to build bridges of understanding, to plant seeds of compassion, and to stand against the injustices that Black people continue to face. Through awareness, unity, and love, I believe we can create a world where every life is valued equally — and every voice is heard.
Biography
My name is Florence Wanga. I am 33 years old, and I was born in the Western Province of Kenya. I am the eldest of four children. My parents are small-scale farmers — humble, hardworking people who grew cassava, sweet potatoes, wheat, and groundnuts on a small piece of land, just enough for us to eat. Life was simple, but never easy. From a young age, I learned how to till the soil and harvest with my hands — survival through sweat, faith, and resilience.
At just 17 years old, I became a domestic worker in our village. I looked after three children, cooked, cleaned, and did every chore imaginable. The small salary I earned helped pay for my school fees, and I shared what little I had with my grandmother so we could buy food. I was still a child myself, juggling work and school, trying to hold onto a dream while life kept pulling me in another direction.
It was hard. I couldn’t save money. I couldn’t buy even the smallest things for myself. I poured everything I had into work, but never felt the reward. Still, I pushed through. I stayed with that family for nearly two years until I finished high school. Then I found work with a wealthy family. The work was harsh and heavy, but I endured it, because my family needed me. Their survival was my motivation.
In 2022, that same employer brought me to the UK under the Overseas Domestic Worker Visa. I didn’t know it then, but I was walking into another chapter of hardship. In the UK, I was isolated, overworked, and treated without dignity. I faced abuse and exploitation — far from home, far from help, and far from hope.
But I found light in the darkness. I found The Voice of Domestic Workers (VODW). With their help, I was able to escape that abusive environment and begin to rebuild my life. Through this organisation, I found not only support and protection, but family — fellow domestic workers who knew my pain, stood beside me, and reminded me of my worth.
I started attending VODW’s Sunday classes regularly, eager to learn, to grow, and to heal. Each lesson gave me more than knowledge — it gave me back my voice.
And now, I am deeply honoured and overjoyed to be chosen as one of the participants in the Future Voices Revolution 2025. This programme is not just a new opportunity — it is a powerful turning point in my life. I want to become a spokesperson, not only for myself, but for every domestic worker who is still afraid, still hidden, still silenced.
I want to speak up for those who cannot, to raise awareness about the abuse so many endure, and to stand as a symbol of resilience, strength, and hope. My story is not just mine — it is the story of thousands.
As I step into this new journey with Future Voices Revolution, I carry my past with pride and my purpose with power. I am Florence. I survived. And now, I rise — not just for me, but for all of us.
