Location: KENYA
Beneficiaries: young people in Nakuro
The Project
Through the “Stawi Youth Mental Wellbeing Initiative,” grantee John Wainaina Mwangi is transforming how young people in Nakuru County, Kenya, approach mental health. This innovative project focuses on empowering youth with mental health conditions by creating a peer support group, where participants connect, share experiences, and build a sense of community. Stawi has conducted lived experience advocacy, storytelling sessions, and lay counseling training, equipping young people to provide peer support and advocate for mental health rights. Through WHO Quality Rights Training, participants have gained essential skills to navigate mental health services and advocate for equitable policies.
Beyond direct interventions, the initiative has strengthened its organizational capacity by adopting a three-year strategic plan, implementing financial management tools, and fostering partnerships with organizations such as Thayu Community Development CBO, Nakuru’s Department of Social Services, and local Rotaract Clubs. With comprehensive policies ensuring transparency and sustainability, Stawi is driving systemic change in Nakuru County and beyond.
The Impact of the Seed Grant
The seed grant from The Pollination Project enabled the Stawi Youth Mental Wellbeing Initiative to achieve remarkable results:
- Peer Support Sessions: 61 young individuals participated in sessions that provided a safe space for community building, boosting well-being and confidence.
- Advocacy Training: 31 participants gained skills to use their lived experiences for mental health advocacy and policy influence.
- WHO Quality Rights Training: 60 participants were equipped with knowledge of human rights-based approaches to mental health care, empowering them to challenge discrimination.
- Lay Counselor Training: 84 young people were trained as lay counselors, significantly expanding community access to mental health support.
- Partnerships: Collaborated with three local organizations to pool resources and amplify impact.
- Community Contributions: Received donations, including office furniture and a printer, enhancing operational capacity.
- Operational Improvements: Upgraded technology, including a new website, accounting software, and computers, to streamline processes.
- Leadership Development: 8 young people with lived experiences of mental illness took on leadership roles in managing the project.
- Community Reach: Directly engaged 243 individuals, creating a supportive mental health ecosystem with lasting influence.
The Future
Looking ahead, the Stawi Youth Mental Wellbeing Initiative is poised to extend its impact. Supported by USAID, the project will expand its scope, with plans to allocate budget savings toward additional activities. The 84 trained lay counselors will continue providing critical mental health support, backed by strong linkages to the County Health Department, social services, and partner organizations. Peer support groups, now fully owned by their members, will persist as a cornerstone of long-term community resilience. Empowered young advocates are using their newfound skills to champion mental health rights, sharing knowledge, and fostering a culture of inclusion and support.
The initiative’s sustainability is anchored in these empowered voices, ensuring its impact endures well into the future. With each step forward, the Stawi Youth Mental Wellbeing Initiative cements its role as a model for grassroots mental health advocacy and transformative community change.
The trust and support you’ve shown go far beyond financial assistance—it has been a powerful validation of our work and vision. Your belief in grassroots changemakers like us has given us the confidence and motivation to keep pushing forward, even when faced with challenges.
John Wainaina Mwangi
John Wainaina Mwangi is a passionate advocate for mental health, driven by personal experience and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by individuals with mental health conditions. Growing up in his community, John grappled with undiagnosed depression and anxiety, navigating a broken mental health care system that subjected him to human rights violations. His turning point came when he encountered a compassionate private psychiatrist, a transformative experience that ignited his commitment to mental health advocacy.
With over five years of experience managing community-based mental health programs, John has volunteered and worked extensively in grassroots initiatives that empower individuals and promote awareness. As the visionary behind his organization, he leads with empathy and dedication, striving to create a more inclusive and supportive mental health care system.
John’s expertise is further bolstered by his participation in prestigious fellowship programs, including the Young African Leaders Initiative launched by President Barack Obama and the GEDDA Fellowship. These opportunities have equipped him with the skills and networks to drive meaningful change in his community and beyond.
