Meet Lalonyo
Meet Lalonyo
“The moment I hit the cold floor of that jail cell, I knew two things—something had to change, and I was going to be the one to do it.”
That night in the Polk County Jail became a turning point in my life. It was the night I decided to leave my abusive marriage—and the night I decided that my experiences as a refugee, mother, and survivor weren’t just pain points… they were my purpose. I knew I had to turn everything I had been through into something that could light the way for other women like me.
From Refugee to Resilient Leader
I was born in a refugee camp in Kitgum, Uganda, just months after my family fled the civil war in South Sudan. We didn’t have clean water. Food was scarce. My childhood was marked by illness and isolation, and I didn’t even start school until the age of 11 due to chronic health issues. But in our world, that was normal—so I grew up grateful, strong, and hopeful.
When my sister invited us to the United States, I imagined it as a magical place where hunger didn’t exist, and opportunity was everywhere. But arriving in New York at 15, speaking no English, I quickly learned that the American dream doesn’t come easy. I started 9th grade learning the alphabet and ended that year determined to find my place in this new world.
Two years later, I became pregnant. My family forced me into an arranged marriage. By 16, I was raising a child and surviving in a country I barely understood. I had three more sons. We moved from Idaho to Utah to Iowa, chasing stability. For a decade, I endured an abusive relationship—one that finally unraveled in 2017 during a police call that led to my arrest, not his.
It was unjust. But it was also a wake-up call.
Hope Was the Start. Purpose Became the Mission.
After I left my marriage, I had nothing—no money, no furniture, no direction. I cleaned my church to make ends meet. Then I started cleaning homes. That small step turned into a business: Cleaning for Hope, and later a nonprofit called Hope to Shine, where I now employ and mentor other immigrant women.
But it wasn’t just about cleaning—it was about restoring dignity, building skills, and providing hope. My clients didn’t just pay for services—they donated clothes, cookware, and essentials for families starting from nothing… like I once did.
Through it all, I kept remembering one moment: when I first arrived at JFK airport, a confident woman in a suit met my family. I had never seen a woman like that before—strong, professional, full of purpose. I whispered to myself, “One day, I want to be like her.” That vision has carried me through every storm.
What I Do Now
Today, I’m a motivational speaker, author of The Spirit of Warriors and Ageno, entrepreneur, and certified self-awareness and business coach. I work with immigrants, refugees, and women who are ready to rise—women who feel stuck but know in their hearts they are meant for more.
I help my clients:
Find clarity in who they are and what they want
Develop mindset and confidence for lasting change
Learn how to start, structure, and grow their own business
Access a network of resources, mentors, and tools
Reconnect with their God-given potential
I offer monthly coaching packages in self-awareness, business consulting, and a combined mentorship experience that includes my books and a community of support. My work is grounded in my culture, my faith, and a powerful Acholi belief:
“Laro me can, twero ki wek i komgi.”
Growth through wisdom, power, and ownership is in your hands.
