At 23, Hajah Kandeh fled the conflict diamond war in her country of birth Sierra Leone, where she had suffered tremendous violence.
With a background in International Relations and an avid interest in law, Hajah has worked as a mental health counselor, and consultant, amongst others; retail, customer service, and nanny jobs that most immigrants do to get started in America. Fluent in several languages including French, Russian, and Krio, Hajah developed a love of poetry and expressing her love for life in poetry. Hajah Kandeh is the author of an upcoming, highly-anticipated memoir of survival; Stretched that dives into the childhood trauma of a brave, brilliant and resilient child from West Africa. Through cultural struggles, the story of survival unfolds as she describes the impact of FGM (Female Genital Mutilation) against her will.
She is the Founder of "Do Tell"; an organization which aims to educate and empower children to speak up in a safe space about sexual abuse and other forms of violation so that they can get the help they need to begin the long journey of healing necessary to help them become healthy whole adults capable of living fulfilling and productive lives.
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