18/07/2026
# Healing the Inner Girl Within: Women Gather to Choose Hope and Rise Again
On Saturday, 18 July 2026, women from across the community gathered at **The Open Door in Ocean View** for a powerful afternoon of healing, reflection, and restoration. Hosted by **Rise Again** in partnership with **She Rises**, **Children Aloud**, and **Open Doors**, the event centred on the theme **"Healing the Inner Girl Within."**
The programme was created to provide women with a safe and compassionate space to acknowledge their past, embrace healing, and discover renewed hope for the future. Guided by the theme scripture, *"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds"* (Psalm 147:3), every part of the afternoon encouraged women to recognize that healing is possible.
Guests were warmly welcomed with tea and fellowship before **Michelle Martin** officially opened the event with prayer, a heartfelt welcome, and a message about the purpose of the gathering. **Rene**, serving as Master of Ceremonies, guided the programme with warmth and encouragement, introducing each speaker and helping create an atmosphere where every woman felt seen and valued.
The first speaker, **Juliana**, shared an inspiring message titled **"Healing Begins When We Acknowledge the Inner Girl,"** reminding women that true healing starts when we honestly face the wounds of our childhood and allow ourselves the grace to begin again.
This was followed by **Janine**, whose presentation, **"Finding Your Voice After Pain,"** encouraged women to reclaim their voices after experiences of hurt, trauma, and silence. Her message inspired attendees to speak with courage and embrace the strength that comes from healing.
After a time of fellowship during the tea break, guests were deeply moved by a special dance performance presented by the **Abundant Life Foundation**. Through movement and expression, the dancers portrayed the journey from brokenness to healing, hope, and restoration, touching many hearts.
The highlight of the afternoon was the keynote address by **Shamila Martin**, titled **"Healing the Inner Girl – Choosing to Rise Again."** Through her personal testimony, she spoke openly about the wounded inner girl, explaining how childhood experiences often shape the women we become. She reminded every woman present that healing begins when we acknowledge the little girl within us, embrace her with compassion, and choose not to remain defined by past pain.
A particularly meaningful moment was the **"Stand With Me" healing moment**, where women were invited to stand together in unity, recognizing that no one has to walk the journey of healing alone. This was followed by a healing declaration and a heartfelt call to embrace hope, restoration, and new beginnings.
The sharing circle that followed provided an opportunity for women to courageously tell parts of their own healing journeys. Their honesty reflected the strength found in vulnerability, and one participant received a special gift in recognition of her courage to share her story.
The afternoon concluded with fellowship over lunch, a fun Lucky Chair surprise, and a moving closing session led by **Shamila Martin**, who prayed for healing, spoke words of encouragement, and blessed every woman present before offering a sincere vote of thanks.
The tion. **Rise Again**, **She Rises**, **Children Aloud**, and **Open Doors** came together with a shared commitment to creating spaces where women can heal, grow, and support one another. Their partnership demonstrated that when organizations unite with a common purpose, lives can be transformed.
The vision of **Rise Again** remains at the heart of this work:
*"Healing begins when we acknowledge the little girl within us. Today we choose to see her, embrace her, and give ourselves permission to Rise Again."*
As women left the venue, they carried with them more than memories of an inspiring afternoon. They left with renewed hope, deeper courage, and the assurance that every chapter of their lives—even the painful ones—can become part of a story of healing, strength, and purpose.
Together, we continue to remind every woman that she is seen, she is valued, and she can always choose to **Rise Again**.
