Niina Nia Kabesa
Nominee Profile
Location: Feltham
Congolese professional singer, writer and actress Niina Nia kabesa became a British citizen when her parent who was members of the Congolese army under the regime of Mobutu fled to England for a better life for her and her two brothers.
Irrespective of all the challenges she face when she had to confront her childhood horror of being gang raped, Niina's bravery to now talk about her childhood trauma in her Congolese community has given more women who were raped the courage also to speak up.
Niina has written books and released songs both in English as well as Lingala, and she has become a well-being coach to both males and females.
She is passionate about assisting individuals, especially in the Congolese community, to become the better version of themselves. As a woman, It is the hardest thing to do in the Congolese community because women are seen as sexual objects who should not speak too much.
She has become a target to many males in the Congolese community because of her boldness and openness to speak the truth about how wrong some of these men are to their wives, children and life as a whole.
On many occasions, men from the Congolese community would tell her to stop talking about her life in the manner that she speaks of it because it is something to be ashamed of and not to be proud of.
Niina has been in relationships that failed and left her with children. She ended up raising her children by herself, and they grew into intelligent children. This is why many males from the Congolese community do not see her as a positive role model.
To us, she is a definition of a woman who is a goddess. She refused to remain in abusive relationships. She put herself and her children in therapy so her home was healed. Today, she volunteers with YOS Hounslow, runs parenting training in partnership with a therapy organisation in Croydon, Floating Counselling, and has been managing one of their venue for holistic holiday school.
She is a source of inspiration.
Irrespective of all the challenges she face when she had to confront her childhood horror of being gang raped, Niina's bravery to now talk about her childhood trauma in her Congolese community has given more women who were raped the courage also to speak up.
Niina has written books and released songs both in English as well as Lingala, and she has become a well-being coach to both males and females.
She is passionate about assisting individuals, especially in the Congolese community, to become the better version of themselves. As a woman, It is the hardest thing to do in the Congolese community because women are seen as sexual objects who should not speak too much.
She has become a target to many males in the Congolese community because of her boldness and openness to speak the truth about how wrong some of these men are to their wives, children and life as a whole.
On many occasions, men from the Congolese community would tell her to stop talking about her life in the manner that she speaks of it because it is something to be ashamed of and not to be proud of.
Niina has been in relationships that failed and left her with children. She ended up raising her children by herself, and they grew into intelligent children. This is why many males from the Congolese community do not see her as a positive role model.
To us, she is a definition of a woman who is a goddess. She refused to remain in abusive relationships. She put herself and her children in therapy so her home was healed. Today, she volunteers with YOS Hounslow, runs parenting training in partnership with a therapy organisation in Croydon, Floating Counselling, and has been managing one of their venue for holistic holiday school.
She is a source of inspiration.