Redefining cool, together
A mentorship program rooted in Christian values to equip teenage girls from well - resourced backgrounds with safe spaces to grow, connect and navigate teenagehood with clarity and resilience.
50+
Young ladies mentored
Personal Growth.
Collective Energy
150+
Teen Girls Mentored
5
Years building community
What makes us unique?
Focus on Overlooked Potential
The Elima Project focuses on teenage girls from well-resourced backgrounds who are often overlooked by traditional mentorship and support efforts. We recognise that access to material resources does not eliminate the need for belonging, guidance, identity, healthy relationships and purpose.
Mentoring from Proximity
We are ladies mentoring from a place of proximity. Our team is made up of young ladies who create spaces where teenage girls feel heard, understood and safe to be themselves. Being closer in age and experience allows us to connect with the teen girls in a way that feels relatable, genuine and non-judgmental.
The Teenage Girl at the Centre
The Elima Project is built around the teenage girl — not simply around what adults think she needs. We intentionally create opportunities for girls to contribute to conversations, share their experiences and learn from one another. Through a peer community, they also learn from young ladies who are just a little further ahead in their own journeys.
Experiential Mentorship
We believe mentorship should be more than sitting down for formal conversations and receiving advice. The Elima Project creates experiences, activities and opportunities that allow girls to explore, practise, discover and grow. We want mentorship to move the teenage girl -- not just inform her.
The Tension
Teenage girls from well resourced backgrounds are often overlooked when it comes to mentorship. Traditional mentorship efforts tends to focus on under resourced teens assuming they have the greatest need while ignoring the unique struggles of well- resourced teens. While they may have financial stability and access to quality education, they still face social mental and emotional challenges - just like any other teenage girl.
Our Answer
Even with access to great schools and resources, teenage girls can still experience a mentorship gap. The Elima Project bridges this gap by designing programmes and experiences that create safe spaces for girls to build deep, lasting relationships, discover their purpose, and navigate life with authenticity, clarity and resilience,without compromising their faith and values.
Programs
Spaces designed so that Teens can shine authentically, and shape their ownpath.
Character Club
The Character Club is the bedrock of The Elima Project - a transformative experience designed to nurture strong character in young people. Inspired by positive psychology, it explores 24 character strengths, organized under 6 core virtue categories.
Teen Book Club: Books & Beyond
Books & Beyond is more than just a book club; it's a space for teen girls to discover new perspectives, explore their creativity, express themselves and build meaningful friendships. Through thoughtfully selected, age-appropriate reads and engaging conversations, we nurture curiosity, confidence and a love for reading while creating a community that goes beyond the pages.
Peer to Peer Conversations
Peer-to-Peer Conversations bring together teen girls and The Elima Project alumni for honest, relatable conversations about growing up and navigating life's different seasons. Through shared experiences, guidance and meaningful connections, our alumni create a supportive space where younger girls can ask questions, gain perspective and learn from those who have walked the path before them.
Your Elima journey
Four simple steps from hello to thriving
Inquire
Express interest by reaching out through our social media pages and we'll get in touch.
Connect
We'll share with you a form, please complete our interest form for us to know a litte bit about you :) We'll schedule a call for you to meet us too!
Attend
We have quarterly activities, please register and attend atleast three to become a member.
Thrive
Step into your purpose, meet like-minded teens, build confidence, and redefine for yourself what it means to be cool.
What our Teens say
Real stories from teens and parents
“I remember I started off as a shy and quiet girl when I first joined Elima, as time went by I learnt how to come out of my shell and talk to people and enjoying their company more.I am also more open in terms of meeting new people and interacting with them. I am very grateful for that experience. And for, Tess she really tried to include and involve everyone especially people who started off like me”
Anonymous
Participant, Girls to Ladies by Dhahabu Themanini
“ I really like that it's youth programs are ran by fellow youth and so it feels more like a gathering, and we end up learning from each other. Elima showed me, I would have to open up to allow the smart and strong women I'd meet into my life, even if that's through little lessons I'd learn from them. (I was so shy lol)”
Karen
Alumni, Girls to Ladies by Dhahabu Themanini
“I came to find out that people actually don’t get the opportunity to have that transition from primary to high school and most of the people think and feel they are alone With my experience I never thought I’d be building another family ❤️”
T
Alumni, Elima Alumni
“"Thank you for your time, your sacrifice to shape these young girls. As a parent, I appreciate the bonding sessions & knowing my daughter better in a fun way. "”
Mama Bree
Parent, Elima Parents
“I know and believe that the program truly impacted her life. So, please know that Elima has had a positive ✨️ impact on her and so many other girls. It also benefited us as parents. Thank you 🙏🏽"”
Mama Agatha
Parent, Elima Parents
“I remember I started off as a shy and quiet girl when I first joined Elima, as time went by I learnt how to come out of my shell and talk to people and enjoying their company more.I am also more open in terms of meeting new people and interacting with them. I am very grateful for that experience. And for, Tess she really tried to include and involve everyone especially people who started off like me”
Anonymous
Participant, Girls to Ladies by Dhahabu Themanini
“ I really like that it's youth programs are ran by fellow youth and so it feels more like a gathering, and we end up learning from each other. Elima showed me, I would have to open up to allow the smart and strong women I'd meet into my life, even if that's through little lessons I'd learn from them. (I was so shy lol)”
Karen
Alumni, Girls to Ladies by Dhahabu Themanini
“I came to find out that people actually don’t get the opportunity to have that transition from primary to high school and most of the people think and feel they are alone With my experience I never thought I’d be building another family ❤️”
T
Alumni, Elima Alumni
“"Thank you for your time, your sacrifice to shape these young girls. As a parent, I appreciate the bonding sessions & knowing my daughter better in a fun way. "”
Mama Bree
Parent, Elima Parents
“I know and believe that the program truly impacted her life. So, please know that Elima has had a positive ✨️ impact on her and so many other girls. It also benefited us as parents. Thank you 🙏🏽"”
Mama Agatha
Parent, Elima Parents
“I know and believe that the program truly impacted her life. So, please know that Elima has had a positive ✨️ impact on her and so many other girls. It also benefited us as parents. Thank you 🙏🏽"”
Mama Agatha
Parent, Elima Parents
“"Thank you for your time, your sacrifice to shape these young girls. As a parent, I appreciate the bonding sessions & knowing my daughter better in a fun way. "”
Mama Bree
Parent, Elima Parents
“I came to find out that people actually don’t get the opportunity to have that transition from primary to high school and most of the people think and feel they are alone With my experience I never thought I’d be building another family ❤️”
T
Alumni, Elima Alumni
“ I really like that it's youth programs are ran by fellow youth and so it feels more like a gathering, and we end up learning from each other. Elima showed me, I would have to open up to allow the smart and strong women I'd meet into my life, even if that's through little lessons I'd learn from them. (I was so shy lol)”
Karen
Alumni, Girls to Ladies by Dhahabu Themanini
“I remember I started off as a shy and quiet girl when I first joined Elima, as time went by I learnt how to come out of my shell and talk to people and enjoying their company more.I am also more open in terms of meeting new people and interacting with them. I am very grateful for that experience. And for, Tess she really tried to include and involve everyone especially people who started off like me”
Anonymous
Participant, Girls to Ladies by Dhahabu Themanini
“I know and believe that the program truly impacted her life. So, please know that Elima has had a positive ✨️ impact on her and so many other girls. It also benefited us as parents. Thank you 🙏🏽"”
Mama Agatha
Parent, Elima Parents
“"Thank you for your time, your sacrifice to shape these young girls. As a parent, I appreciate the bonding sessions & knowing my daughter better in a fun way. "”
Mama Bree
Parent, Elima Parents
“I came to find out that people actually don’t get the opportunity to have that transition from primary to high school and most of the people think and feel they are alone With my experience I never thought I’d be building another family ❤️”
T
Alumni, Elima Alumni
“ I really like that it's youth programs are ran by fellow youth and so it feels more like a gathering, and we end up learning from each other. Elima showed me, I would have to open up to allow the smart and strong women I'd meet into my life, even if that's through little lessons I'd learn from them. (I was so shy lol)”
Karen
Alumni, Girls to Ladies by Dhahabu Themanini
“I remember I started off as a shy and quiet girl when I first joined Elima, as time went by I learnt how to come out of my shell and talk to people and enjoying their company more.I am also more open in terms of meeting new people and interacting with them. I am very grateful for that experience. And for, Tess she really tried to include and involve everyone especially people who started off like me”
Anonymous
Participant, Girls to Ladies by Dhahabu Themanini
Moments from our community
Laughter, workshops, retreats, and lifelong sisterhood in action.
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Ready to be cool?
Discover a community where you will have fun,grow, be inspired, feel seen and be supported as you navigate teenagehood
Authentic sisterhood
Nairobi, Kenya