Untold Staff Feature: Lydiah Korir, East Africa Program Coordinator
The role of Program Coordinator is critical to the work of Untold’s global leadership team, charged with monitoring all center program activities and providing direction to the Regional Coordinators. Lydiah Korir holds this role with grace and a deep commitment to each client her work touches. Untold is so grateful for Lydiah’s leadership, and we are honored to share more of her story.
Lydiah Korir began working for Untold in 2017 because she was drawn to the hope and second chances at the foundation of HIV/AIDS care.
Her first client at Untold was a woman who was close to death. Lydiah helped to resuscitate the woman in an outpatient clinic, treat her, and send her home. For months, the woman would disappear and come back every two weeks in the same state, and on Lydiah’s third month working with Untold, the woman’s 10-year-old son ran into the hospital asking for Doctor Lydiah. “You’re the only one who resurrects my mom every time she dies,” he said. To clients and staff alike, Lydiah is someone who will never turn her back.
Lydiah shared that this is why she chose to work in HIV care: “People living with HIV and AIDS, whether they are in their last stage, if things are done right, they can always wake up again,” she said.
She continued: “I've always wanted to be in this space because I know you can give people a second chance and they can be able to go back to their work. And then number two, of course, the hope of salvation and true resurrection.”
Lydiah’s expertise stems from a long career in medical work. After receiving a nursing degree, Lydiah worked as an HIV service manager for Kijabe Hospital and was a trainer with the NASCOP National AIDS Control. She went on to earn her Bachelor of Science in Organizational Psychology, delving deeper into her leadership skills while maintaining her medical background.
After seeing an job posting by chance, Lydiah found her way to Untold, where she has served faithfully for nine years.
She shared that what she enjoys most about her current role is the day to day activities and decision making opportunities, as well as the mentorship she provides to other staff members.
“Being able to mentor different people from different qualifications to the work that we are doing, that is what keeps me going, that every day I have an opportunity to show someone the way and to allow someone to grow. That gives me a lot of joy,” she said.
Lydiah’s care and consistency in her relationships with coworkers and clients has made her a trusted voice of wisdom, often called on as a sounding board by Untold staff for medical cases and advice. She describes herself as someone who loves a challenge and is full of new ideas.
“The work has aroused my curious nature. My team says my brain runs very fast. I always tell them when you are sitting with me, make sure you have your pen and paper because ideas keep flying. But I am one person that you give me a problem and I would be able to sit, think through it, and give you a solution, even a written plan. So I appreciate that exposure as well.”
Lydiah’s expertise and compassion for every client has made her a deeply respected leader within Untold. Growing up in pastoralist communities that traditionally did not value women, this identity has encouraged Lydiah to pay it forward.
“Being able to work in this space and being able to lead and even being able to stand in front of men arose a need for me to also mentor other girls,” she said. Lydiah now advises girls in her free time through leadership camps.
Speaking to the profound impact of Untold on her life, Lydiah shared: “I think it has made me become more compassionate and just wanting to just be there to give a helping hand to someone and just to allow myself to be used by God. You know, we are the hands and the feet of God.”