Founder & Executive Director at Lily of Valleys Home of Hope | Certified Life Coach | Mental Health & Family Counselor | Author | Advocate for Girls & Women Empowerment
Meet Fortunate Kufakunesu
Fortunate Kufakunesu, a dynamic leader from Harare, Zimbabwe, is a renowned life coach, mental health therapist, marriage and family counselor, author, and girls and women advocate who has dedicated her life to empowering girls and women in Zimbabwe. Through her organization, Life Issues Solutions Hub (LISH), and her leadership at the Girls Grooming Club, Fortunate has become a beacon of hope for vulnerable young girls and women across the country.
As the founder and executive director of Lily of Valleys Home of Hope, a non-profit organization aimed at transforming the lives of vulnerable girls and young women, Fortunate has spent over a decade working to create opportunities for those who face educational and social barriers, especially in rural areas. Her heart-centered approach has touched countless lives, guiding individuals and communities toward realizing their potential.
Her career as a life coach, mental health counselor, author, and advocate for women’s empowerment has led her to become one of the foremost voices in the Zimbabwean community for girls’ education, social empowerment, and mental well-being.
Early Life and Education: The Foundation of Purpose
Fortunate’s journey is deeply personal, shaped by the challenges she faced growing up. Born in Harare in 1972, she spent part of her childhood in the rural community of Chihota under the care of her blind grandmother. Early in her life, she witnessed the struggles faced by young girls, from limited access to education to the societal pressures of early marriage. These formative years fostered in Fortunate a deep empathy for vulnerable girls and set the course for her lifelong mission of empowerment.
Despite personal struggles, She pursued her education with determination, studying Pedagogy, specializing in Computer Studies and Mathematics at the then Chinhoyi Technical Teachers’ College and now Chinhoyi University of Technology. She later earned a degree in Theology at the Theological College of Zimbabwe. She further specialized in Systemic Family Therapy and Family Developmental Counselling in Maternal, Paternal and Child Mental Health, equipping herself to better understand and address the complex issues girls and women face in their communities. Her academic background formed the foundation for the work that would define her career.
“Education is a right for every individual, starting from a young age,” Fortunate believes, underscoring her lifelong commitment to ensuring that every girl, regardless of background,has the resources to succeed.
Life Coaching and Counseling: The Beginning of a Lifelong Mission
Fortunate’s journey into life coaching and counseling began in the classroom as a teacher and counselor. She used her natural ability to connect with others to support students facing various challenges. Her work as a marriage and family counselor also laid the groundwork for her future endeavors in mental health and personal development. With years of experience in education, Fortunate soon realized her true calling was not just to teach, but to guide individuals through their personal struggles and help them discover their potential.
She became a certified life coach and mental health counselor, areas in which she passionately dedicated herself to creating a positive and supportive environment for those in need.
Her early experiences shaped her understanding of the importance of personal development and empowerment, especially for women and girls. This led her to establish Life Issues Solutions Hub, a platform dedicated to guide individuals through the process of self-discovery, goal setting, and overcoming obstacles. Through this platform, she began to touch the lives of many, particularly those who needed direction and support in finding their purpose. Discover more here.
“Problems will always be there, and it’s how you handle them that makes the difference,” Fortunate often shares in her counseling sessions.
Founding Lily of Valleys Home of Hope: Transforming the Lives of Girls
In 2016, Fortunate took a monumental step towards making a broader impact by founding Lily of Valleys Home of Hope, a non-profit dedicated to empowering adolescent girls and young women in Zimbabwe. The organization’s mission was simple yet profound: to empower adolescent girls and young women to realize their full potential, free from the shackles of abuse, poverty, and societal expectations.
“There is no life issue that cannot be solved and no state in life that is too hard to accept,” Fortunate affirms, capturing her unwavering optimism in the face of adversity.
Her personal experiences, particularly her own journey of overcoming challenges, drove her to create a sanctuary for girls escaping abuse, poverty, and societal expectations. Fortunate recognized the gap in opportunities for young women in Zimbabwe, particularly in rural areas, and set out to provide those opportunities through education, mentorship, and community support. Under Fortunate’s leadership, Lily of Valleys Home of Hope has grown into a thriving non-profit organization that serves as a lifeline for many girls and young women. The organization offers various programs, including the Simuka Mwanasikana Global Exchange Program, a sanitary campaign, and the Knowledge Hub Construction, all aimed at providing support and education to girls in rural communities. Explore more here.
“Your involvement could ignite her potential and turn her aspirations into reality,” she often encourages, calling for others to join in her mission of empowerment.
A Published Author and Advocate for Women’s Empowerment
Fortunate’s passion for empowering women and girls is also reflected in her work as an author. As an author, Fortunate penned “A Woman in Pursuit of Purposeful Destiny”, her first book which was aimed at inspiring women to embrace their inner strength and achieve their goals. The book reflects her journey and the principles she lives by, principles of self-belief, resilience, and community support. Her writing is not just about personal success; it’s about creating a ripple effect of positive change.
Fortunate is also the author of the empowering book, “Unleashing Her Potential: Guiding a Girl into an Empowered Woman”. This book serves as both a guide and a source of inspiration, equips young girls with the confidence and tools needed to navigate societal barriers and realize their full potential. At its launch, Fortunate made a profound impact by distributing copies to over 1630 girls across various schools, including rural areas, and continues to expand its reach. Her efforts to inspire and empower girls are further evident in the ongoing support she receives from her dedicated community. As part of her mission to equip young girls with educational resources, she has already facilitated the donation of 1760 books to girls in need.
The book has garnered significant endorsements, with Dr. Tererai Trent calling it a “remarkable masterpiece,” and Tariro Makanga, a communications specialist, praising its role in building resilience in young girls. Fortunate’s mission through the book is to empower young girls and help them step into leadership roles, challenging them to realize their true potential. Her advocacy extends beyond her work with the girls in her care. Fortunate is deeply involved in various initiatives to bring awareness to the challenges women and girls face in Zimbabwe.
“We can create a world where every girl feels valued and empowered,” she often states, highlighting her belief in the collective power of women supporting one another.
Recognition, Awards, and Community Impact
Fortunate’s contributions have not gone unnoticed. In 2024, she was honored with the Women Changing the World Award in the United Kingdom for her outstanding work with girls and women in Zimbabwe. This global recognition celebrates her relentless dedication to empowering young girls and women in Zimbabwe along with her efforts to uplift underprivileged girls and women through her organization, Lily of Valleys Home of Hope. She has also received recognition for her advocacy of female entrepreneurship, mental health, and personal development.
Adding to her list of accolades, Fortunate received two remarkable awards in 2024. She was named the winner in the Inspirational Category for her first book, “A Woman in Pursuit of Purposeful Destiny”, and was honored as Author of the Year 2024, thanks to the support and votes of her community. In her heartfelt message, Fortunate expressed deep gratitude to her family, mentors, and followers, recognizing their crucial role in her success:
“Thank you for believing in my work and for giving me the honor of the Author of the Year Award. This achievement is not just mine; it belongs to all of you who have lifted me up along the way.”
These honors reflect not only her personal achievements but also the collective support of those who have joined her in her mission of empowerment and change. Her organization continues to grow, providing mentorship, training, and educational resources to young girls and women across the country.
“You could ignite a girl’s potential and turn her aspirations into reality,” Fortunate often encourages, calling others to join her mission of empowerment.
A Vision for the Future: Empowering the Next Generation
Looking to the future, Fortunate has big plans to expand her initiatives. Her current projects include the construction of community educational resource centers and the development of an adolescent girls’ entrepreneurship skills training center. Through these centers, she aims to offer business skills training, sewing programs, and agriculture initiatives to young women, empowering them with the tools to succeed in both the workplace and their communities. Fortunate reflects on the vision behind her lifelong journey stating:
In 2015, I had a vision, of a voice speaking to me saying, “Go and help women out there, 97% of women have got challenges.” This made me realize I have got a mandate and I have to be more serious than I was doing it. The voice was so strong and commanding, it expressed a sense of urgency.
Fortunate’s five-year plan includes providing educational resources for over a million girls, expanding her work into more districts, and building sanitary pad centers to ensure girls have access to hygiene products, removing barriers to education. Her vision is clear: to create a poverty-free, abuse-free future for Zimbabwe’s girls.
“Education is a powerful tool for change, and your efforts will surely make a lasting impact,” Fortunate often reminds her supporters, emphasizing the importance of giving back to communities.
A Legacy of Empowerment and Hope
Fortunate Kufakunesu’s life exemplifies resilience, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to empowering others. From her humble beginnings in rural Zimbabwe to becoming a leader in the fight for girls’ and women’s rights, Fortunate’s journey is one of hope, transformation, and boundless potential. Through her work, she continues to inspire countless individuals to overcome challenges, embrace their purpose, and create meaningful change in the world.
“Every day is a new opportunity to take actionable steps toward becoming the person you aspire to be,” says Fortunate, a belief that defines her mission.
The Nectar of Wisdom from Fortunate Kufakunesu’s Journey
- Education is key: “Education is life, and every individual deserves it, especially from a young age.”
- Embrace every challenge: “No problem lasts forever. If handled well, every challenge can be overcome.”
- The power of community: “This achievement belongs to all of you who have lifted me up along the way.”
- Purpose fuels progress: “Helping women and girls realize their full potential is my life’s work.”
- Fear is temporary: “Do not let fear stop you from starting anything.”
Editorial Note
Fortunate Kufakunesu’s journey exemplifies the power of dedication, education, and compassion. Her tireless commitment to girls and women in Zimbabwe continues to inspire change, transforming lives and creating opportunities for those who need it most. Her work serves as an invaluable blueprint for how we can all contribute to a more equitable and empowering world.
We Want to Read Your Story in Executives Diary – Preserving Human History and Wisdom
Behind every brand, there is a brain that molds and folds startups into established brands, and behind every brand, there are professionals who drive the business in new directions. If you are a founder or an executive, we want to read and preserve your story.
Executives Diary is an invite-only network, ensuring that every story shared on our platform is authentic. If you’d like to share your journey, reach out to us at mystory@executivesdiary.com. We’ll feature your story for free. However, due to our limited editorial team, we are selective in our Editor’s Picks. Alternatively, you can connect with one of our freelance writers to help craft your narrative.
Our mission is to become the world’s largest platform for storytelling. We look forward to hearing your story!
