At only twenty one years old, Jackline Syombua was sentenced to ten years in prison in Kenya, entirely alone and without legal representation. She entered Machakos Women’s Prison having experienced a justice process that moved past her without listening to her story or protecting her rights.

Inside prison, Jackline joined the paralegal training offered by Justice Defenders, where she began learning the law and supporting others who faced the same challenges she once had. With each case she assisted, she rebuilt her confidence and used her legal knowledge to help women understand their rights, draft documents, and navigate a system that had once overwhelmed her.