At Kakenya’s Dream, we are big believers in the power of stories to inspire change and make an impact. So this year, we are thrilled to honor Lee-Ann Olwage as our Volunteer of the Year for her dedication, artistry, and commitment to our mission. A renowned visual storyteller from South Africa, Lee-Ann’s journey as a photographer is one filled with serendipity, passion, and a profound sense of purpose. Through her lens, she has captured the essence of our girls and our community in ways that beautifully reflect our values.
Lee-Ann’s path to photography was not a straight line. Having studied film directing, she initially spent nearly a decade in art direction and set decorating for movies. It wasn’t until a chance encounter with a camera during a trip to Indonesia that her passion for photography truly ignited. What began as a spontaneous discovery soon became a full-time pursuit. “I like to believe that you can’t miss the things in life that are meant for you,” Lee-Ann shares.
Just two years later, Lee-Ann took the courageous step of leaving her job to follow her passion for photography. Documentary photography, in particular.
I like to think of photography as my never-ending love affair with life. It gives me an incredible opportunity to experience all the joy, beauty, sadness, grief, and connection that life is made of through storytelling.
“I am always amazed at the intimate access people give me to their lives and because of this I protect the stories I work on fiercely. When a story is entrusted to you, you become the guardian of that story.”
In 2020, Lee-Ann was introduced to Kakenya’s Dream when the creative director of Gates Notes asked her to direct a documentary about our founder, Dr. Kakenya Ntaiya. She immediately connected with our mission and our girls.
I was blown away by the confidence of the girls at Kakenya’s Dream, especially in comparison to some of the girls I met in the local community.
“This made such an impression on me and sparked the question that resulted in The Right to Play. What does a world look like where girls are encouraged to dream and empowered to pursue those dreams? At Kakenya’s Dream I was shown what that world looks like. It’s a space where girls feel safe to dream and speak their truth. A place where girls are reminded that they matter and that their dreams are valid and beautiful and important. The organization goes beyond that and also gives them the skills they need to make those dreams a reality. It’s a world where girls exude pride and joy.”
The Right To Play photo series has since won many awards and has been showcased in exhibits across the world, from Paris to Japan.
One of Lee-Ann’s most cherished memories from her time with Kakenya’s Dream is the day she received her Maasai name, Nashipai, meaning joy or happiness. She returned to our community last month to report on our new health clinic. While spending time with local Maasai women to understand their impressions of the clinic, one of them gave her this special name—a reflection of the deep connection she has built with our community.
When asked about a favorite photo from her time with us, she shares, “The picture of Alishers (left) always comes to mind. Alishers, who was 11 years old at the time, walked into the hall, picked up a chair, and put it under my light before standing on top of the chair and confidently gazing into my lens and saying, ‘I am ready for my picture.’ This moment of being so confident in her own skin blew me away and the image remains one of my all-time favorite portraits. That kind of confidence comes from being in a supportive environment where you are encouraged to thrive.”
Lee-Ann’s photography highlights the strength and resilience of African women and girls, offering the world a vision of hope and possibility. She explains,
I don’t want people to only talk about problems – I want to show them the solutions to those problems in the most beautiful and interesting way possible. I think that’s why The Right to Play resonates so well with audiences. We have a desire to see women and girls thrive and take charge of their destiny instead of being shown as victims.
Lee-Ann’s journey with Kakenya’s Dream is one of mutual inspiration. Her artistry continues to shine an important light on the incredible potential of our girls, and her dedication to telling their stories in the most beautiful and empowering way has made a lasting impact on audiences around the world. We are incredibly grateful to have her as part of the Kakenya’s Dream family. Thank you, Lee-Ann, for your extraordinary work and unwavering support. You remind us all of the power of storytelling to transform lives.
