I heard about Shamiri from one of the mental health groups I’m in, I saw a job posting in November of 2022. I looked at the job description and what it entails and thought I would be a fit so I applied.
I was drawn to Shamiri Institute because I’m a psychologist by profession. I think the way we’re dealing with mental health is a new perspective and helps to bridge the gap of getting treatment.
I was surprised by the Shamiri Way. We were talking about new concepts that I was encountering for the first time. I wondered what it was going to be like implementing the project within four weeks in schools. When I went through the training around growth mindset, gratitude and values I thought it was amazing, as components I’ve thought about them individually but I’ve never considered them together the way Shamiri has done it. I’ve seen the results.
I wish they’d know how much their experiences they went through as children affects them in their adult life and be able to find ways to live beyond these struggles. I grew up in Kayole, it’s almost a ghetto in Nairobi, it was intense. I look at my family structure and the difficulties that were there and all the aspirations that I had, I wondered if I would ever get there. I felt like in reality, those aspirations couldn’t be achieved. But I have achieved some already by working through my past. I really hope the youth are able to understand what is affecting them and how they can get help or do something for themselves where they’re able to overcome these challenges.
Well, let me start by saying my mum had an illness and she would be hospitalized for months at a time. As the big brother I had to take care of my siblings. Sometimes I’d get angry because I was taking care of my family while my peers were playing. One thing I came to realize as I reflected on my journey is, the more I interacted with children, the more I felt connected with the core of who I am. It was one thing that gave me inspiration every day, that’s why I’m hoping to go into Child Psychology.