Hoda M Ali Ltd

Pawlet Brookes talks to Hoda Ali as they discuss her journey as an activist and educator against female ge***al mutilation. Listen as Ali talks through her personal journey as an FGM survivor and how her story has helped and can help many women and young girls. Music by NWAKKE.

There are many ways to help Serendipity Institute for Black Arts and Heritage continue to do the work. Please consider making a donation.

Hoda M Ali – Serendipity Institute for Black Arts and Heritage

The Luckiest Girl Alive, Written by Hoda M Ali
Designed and Directed by Nikki Charlesworth
(Originally shown at City Arts Notgaham 2017)

"You save one girl, you save a generation."

The Luckiest Girl Alive is a powerful verbatim puppet theatre production that tells the extraordinary real-life story of Hoda Ali—a survivor of Female Ge***al Mutilation (FGM), refugee, nurse, activist, and co-founder of The Vavengers.
Created through a unique collaboration between Hoda and artist/director Nikki Charlesworth, the show uses puppetry, projection, original music, and first-person storytelling to bring Hoda’s words and spirit to life on stage.

Hoda Ali’s Story
Hoda’s story begins in Hargeisa, Somaliland, on the beaches of Mogadishu, Somalia, where she spent a joyful childhood with her sisters and brothers. At the age of 7, she became a survivor of FGM. By 11, she was seeking urgent medical treatment for the complications she endured.
As civil war tore through Somaliland and Somalia, Hoda fled to Djibouti and then Italy. became a refugee in Holland and eventually arrived in Sheffield in the UK. Two years later, Hoda and her family moved to London, where, within hours of arriving in London, she met the love of her life.
Her journey is one of pain and survival, kindness, compassion, but also healing, love, and unshakable purpose. Today, Hoda is one of the UK’s most respected voices in the campaign to end FGM and an educator in Primary schools in London.

A Verbatim Theatre Experience
The Luckiest Girl Alive is built from Hoda’s own words. Through the lens of verbatim theatre, her truth is told without filter, making the work intimate, immediate, and deeply authentic.
Blending traditional and contemporary puppetry, animated projections, and a rich soundscape, the show invites audiences into a space where trauma and joy coexist—and where storytelling becomes a tool for justice.

Creative Team
Writer: Hoda Ali
Director & Designer: Nikki Charlesworth
Projection Design: Amber Cooper-Davies
Sound Design & Original Music: Juliana Lisk
Lighting Design & Technical Manager: Julian Hanby
Cast:
Susu Ahmed
Roseanna Frascona
Vanessa Ndema
Amber Ogunsanya-William
Photography by: Lamar FrancoisListen to original music by Juliana LiskWatch the rehearsal trailer included in this video

A Very Special Thank You
This journey has been beautifully documented by filmmaker Timothy Chesney, whose sensitivity, generosity, and craft have captured not just the work but the heart behind it. Tim’s film offers a poignant glimpse into the bond between Hoda and Nikki, as well as the creative process that brought this story to life.
We are endlessly grateful for Tim’s work and proud to share his film alongside the production.

Performance Highlights
New Art Exchange (Premiere – Nottingham Refugee Week 2024)
City Arts Nottingham
Derby Theatre
The Va**na Museum, London

Supported By
Arts Council England
City Arts Nottingham
Nottingham Playhouse
New Art Exchange
The Vavengers
*virginemusem
Themes & Impact
The Luckiest Girl Alive explores:
FGM and bodily autonomy
Refugee experiences in Europe
Healing through art
Resilience and love
The power of testimony and truth
More than a show—it is a call to listen, to witness, and to act.

Contact us for touring bookings, screenings, educational outreach, or to collaborate in amplifying this story.
13+
https://www.hodamali.com
https://nikkicharlesworth.com/https-nikkic...

https://youtu.be/oOX6a49NGpo?si=ndlaW1sRJoHLa6IG

The Luckiest Girl Alive: Hoda M Ali, TLGA Puppet Cabaret The Luckiest Girl Alive, Written by Hoda M Ali Designed and Directed by Nikki Charlesworth (Originally shown at City Arts Notgaham 2017)"You save one girl, y...

I’m still holding the power of this moment close.
Speaking at the RCOG World Congress 2025 on the panel “Strengthening Alliances & Building Movements to End FGM/C: A Call to Action” was not just a professional milestone; it was deeply personal.
As a healthcare professional, educator, and survivor, I have spent years safeguarding women and girls, training professionals, and amplifying the voices of those who are often unheard.
It was an honour to share this stage with the remarkable Dr Isioma Okolo MBChB MPH DFSRH DTMH MRCOG Hannah Nazri Janet Fyle MBE Dr (H.C) Professor Samuel Kimani,
We spoke the truth.
We spoke of pain.
We spoke about healing.
We reminded the room that compassion, empathy, and respect are not luxuries in this work; they are essential.
Ending FGM/C is not just about protocols or awareness; it's about changing the mindset. It’s about trust.
Understanding cultural nuance, empowering local communities, and ensuring survivor-led, locally informed interventions are at the heart of everything we do.
FGM/C is not one story -it’s many.
And each deserves to be treated with dignity, social awareness, and fierce protection.
Thank you, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists | RCOG Hassan Shehata, for this space.
Thank you to everyone in the room who supported us through this.
I carry this work in my bones.
I carry it for every girl who never got to speak.
And I carry it with hope for what we can still change — together. 💙

Today, The Vavengers embraces a bittersweet moment as my co-founder and partner in vision, Mabel Evans, steps down as Chair of the Board of Trustees. We knew we were destined to make a profound impact when we came together and launched the first billboards against FGM in the UK and Europe. Our shared dream has become a powerful movement that blends impactful storytelling, poetry, and advocacy, reaching and empowering countless individuals, especially young people.
Mabel’s dedication, creativity, and passion have been instrumental in shaping our journey, and I am proud of what we’ve accomplished together. As we look to the future, I am confident that the new Chair will continue to lead The Vavengers with the same commitment and vision. Thanks to our current CEO for guiding us forward.
Here’s to the next chapter in our journey: to continue our mission and to the incredible future of The Vavengers.


#

The Shadow of Seven:
A Journey Through Pain, Strength, and Hope...

I sat here this morning in the hospital waiting room, age 47. Reflecting on my journey, I realise how deeply seven is woven into the fabric of my life.

I was seven when I endured FGM, seventeen when, after multiple surgeries, I experienced my first natural period, and thirty-seven when I was diagnosed with premature menopause, a moment that changed my life forever

Moment and spirit are in the ways I still feel today.

Premature menopause was one of the most brutal blows. It felt as if my body betrayed me before it had the chance to live fully. The grief of losing what should have been natural milestones, motherhood, hormonal balance, and a life without medical interventions has been one of the most painful parts of my journey.

Still, despite the pain and the many moments when hope felt distant, I know I am the luckiest girl alive.

Even in our deepest wounds, there is something to be found: a lesson, a hidden strength. Even invite those who have never experienced female ge***al mutilation to reflect as well.

My childhood in Somalia was filled with joy until war and violence stole that innocence away. Becoming a refugee, surviving FGM, living in refugee camps, and arriving in Europe, a land I could never have imagined, are all parts of me.

My life is a testament to resilience. It reminds me that even when everything seems broken, and my body carries visible and invisible scars, I can still rise, hope, and pave the way for future generations.

I hope my journey reminds you that no matter what you endure, your strength is accurate, your journey matters, and there is always light, even in the darkest places.

I appreciate everyone who checked on me and unconditionally supported my beautiful family and friends; thank you for your love.

https://www.schoolandcollegelistings.com/XX/Unknown/391302724073709/Hoda-M-Ali-Ltd

Hoda M Ali Ltd (2025) A passionate safeguarding consultant, active in the abolition of Female Ge***al Mutilation/Cutting.

Stop Cutting Our Girls: A Comic Relief Special (2015)
As we approach February 6th, I'm resharing this powerful documentary again, 10 years after it was first made. A decade later, we must ask ourselves: How far have we indeed come in the fight against FGM/C? What has changed, and more importantly, what still needs to be done?
Female ge***al mutilation (FGM/C) continues to threaten the lives, health, and futures of millions of girls worldwide. Despite the progress made, the reality is stark: there is still so much work ahead to protect and safeguard women and girls from this violation of their rights and bodies. We cannot afford to slow down.
Originally aired in 2015 as part of a Comic Relief Special, this documentary, hosted by Zawe Ashton, sheds light on the harsh realities of FGM in the UK and globally. It amplifies the voices of survivors, the relentless efforts of campaigners, and the challenges faced in tackling this deeply rooted issue.
It reminds us of the battles we have fought and the mountains we have yet to climb.

We must keep pushing forward, raising awareness, and advocating for change—because every girl deserves a future free from harm.
The fight is far from over.

Stop Cutting Our girls: A comic relief special.

Exciting News: Now Open to Partner with More Schools, Colleges, and Universities in 2025!

As we enter the new year, I’m excited to announce my availability to collaborate with additional schools, colleges, and universities across the UK and offer my specialised safeguarding consultancy services.

With over 7 years of experience delivering a groundbreaking safeguarding program focused on Female Ge***al Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C), bodily autonomy, and child protection, I have successfully implemented this initiative in primary and secondary schools. My work involves engaging with parents, staff, and pupils to foster safer, more knowledgeable communities.

My approach leverages the NSPCC PACS model, PANTS, My Body My Rules, and other evidence-based strategies, ensuring that all safeguarding initiatives are compliant, effective, and culturally sensitive. These interactive workshops are crafted to educate and empower participants, driving meaningful and lasting change for schools and families.

If your school seeks a safeguarding consultant to implement impactful, tailored programs, now is the time to connect! Availability is limited, so reach out soon to secure your spot. Together, we can protect and empower the next generation.

📩 Email: [email protected]

💼 Let’s create a safer future, one school at a time.

Hoda M Ali