Our Purpose: Bridging the Mentorship Gap
We exist to provide the authentic mentorship and community that privileged young women desperately need but rarely receive.
My Lens, My Kenya, My Story
Tess Thuo founded The Elima Project from a deeply personal understanding of the unique challenges faced by young women growing up in privilege.
Drawing from her own experiences in Kenya and her professional expertise, Maria recognized a critical gap: while these young women have access to material resources, they often lack the authentic mentorship, safe spaces, and genuine community needed to navigate the complexities of identity, purpose, and faith.
With a heart for Christ-centered transformation and a commitment to real, lasting change, Maria created Elima as a place where young women can shed the pressure to perform, embrace their authentic selves, and discover what it truly means to be confident, grounded, and purposeful.
The Hidden Struggle
Privileged young women face a unique and often invisible crisis: despite having access to the best schools, opportunities, and resources, they struggle with profound isolation, identity confusion, and a lack of authentic mentorship.
The pressure to maintain perfect images on social media, meet impossibly high expectations, and navigate complex social dynamics leaves them feeling:
- Disconnected from their authentic selves
- Isolated despite being surrounded by people
- Uncertain about their purpose and identity
- Lacking safe spaces to be vulnerable
- Pressured to perform rather than grow
Traditional mentorship programs often don't address these nuanced challenges, leaving a critical gap in support for young women who appear to "have it all" but are quietly struggling.
The Elima Approach
The Elima Project provides a holistic, Christ-centered solution that addresses the whole person and creates lasting transformation through:
Authentic Mentorship
Professional, licensed guidance from therapists and mentors who understand their unique challenges and provide real, practical wisdom.
Character Development
Structured programs focused on building virtues, emotional intelligence, and spiritual depth rather than just achievements.
Genuine Community
Safe spaces where young women can be vulnerable, build authentic friendships, and support each other's growth.
Purpose Discovery
Programs designed to help young women explore their identity, discover their calling, and live with intention and meaning.
Holistic Support
Addressing mental, emotional, spiritual, and social well-being through diverse programs, events, and ongoing community.
Our Core Values
These eight values guide every program, event, and interaction within The Elima Project community.
Fun-Filled Growth
We believe personal development should be joyful, engaging, and transformative—never boring or preachy.
Lifting Each Other Up
We create a culture of encouragement where every young woman feels valued, supported, and celebrated.
Being Real
Authenticity is our foundation. We embrace vulnerability, honest conversations, and genuine connections.
Safe Spaces
Our community is a judgment-free zone where young women can explore, question, and grow without fear.
Purpose-Driven
We help young women discover their unique calling and live with intention, meaning, and direction.
Character Over Performance
We prioritize who you're becoming over what you're achieving, focusing on internal transformation.
Christ-Centered Foundation
Our mentorship is rooted in Christian values, providing spiritual grounding and moral clarity.
Holistic Development
We address the whole person—mind, body, spirit, and relationships—for complete well-being.
Our Mission
To empower the next generation of young women with the character, confidence, and purpose they need to thrive authentically in an increasingly complex world—rooted in Christ-centered values, supported by genuine community, and guided by holistic mentorship.
"Redefining what it means to be cool."