What inspired you to work for Better Me?
The passion to work with young people, children and women within the community. having the opportunity to travel across a number of African countries and Asia, having met young professionals across the globe., seen and experienced their zeal towards a common interest to see positive change in the life of young people. This has happened to be my inspiration to bring change within the community.
Describe a typical day at work.
get to work, interact with kids at the center, have a debrief with our international volunteers, check on planned activities during the day within the organization and outside the organization. make calls to community members to make a visit and see what needs to be done, be it a therapy session or an economic forum or an household visit.
Art therapy session is one way to open our hearts to a new world of experience.
Why do you do what you do?
the joy that it all brings and the challenges that keep on arising in the community. just being part of a positive change is an inspiration, however small. i have seen positive change in the life of young people in the communities i work for. change of mind, change of life and joy smiles upon the life individuals.
What is your favorite part of your job?
Welcoming new volunteers at the airport which means new experience and a new person to learn something from. organizing for mental wellness events and see them run successfully. going to the rehab centers and doing something meaningful with the young people. making meals together with the volunteers and enjoying different International cuisines.
How do you use your education and international background in your current role?
interacting with people from different continents and backgrounds is an ideal exposure to learn and gain experience. sincerely speaking despite the difference in race, culture, religion and education systems, certain challenges are more-like the same and doesn't need a different approach to solve. at the same time some of the challenges faced in Africa at this moment might have already been experienced in other places especially matters concerning wellness and lifestyle. this has highly helped me to view community challenges differently and choose different approaches to make a lasting solution.
What challenges do you often face, and how do you overcome them?
meeting new people everyday is challenging as much as it is joyful. getting to know each other, planning and executing missions together and then after a period of time, their time is up and they have to leave. saying goodbye is quite painful especially seeing the volunteers off at the airport. we keep in touch once the volunteers leave and thankfully a number return back to continue with the work they had began doing.
What are some current projects you are working on?
life skills sessions and psycho-social support programs in learning institutions and govt rehabilitation centers. sports for wellness sessions, art therapy sessions, festivals and team building activities with other community based organizations. we organize for safe spaces forums with other community stakeholders. cancelling sessions for different organizations who are directly working with the communities. fundraising programs to support our different projects.
An opportunity to participate in a stakeholders meeting
What advice would you give your pre-travel self?
how best can i handle a culture shock, difference in food, climate, language barrier and things like that. how comfortable will i be with people i have never been with before and be my family for the time period i will be away from people i have always been comfortable around? how best can i be comfortable when things wont happen in a way am used to seeing things happen.
What makes Better Me special?
The mentorship program we have created and implemented, the impact and number of people who have benefited has supposed 30,000 children and young people across 25 different learning institutions and community spaces in the last three years and this has been instrumental in promoting mental health in Kenya, providing support and guidance to countless young individuals.
Why should someone choose Better Me over competitors?
We have successfully hosted over 150 volunteers and interns from four different continents and 23 different countries who have played a crucial role in our programs, bringing diverse perspectives and skills that have enriched our work and enhanced our impact. we give them a platform and opportunity to initiate any new idea that would bring positive change in the long run. and most the programs we are implementing are tireless efforts of our volunteers.
It's more amazing to share our field experiences.
What hopes do you have for the future of Better Me?
hosting more volunteers and expanding our program to other places in Kenya.One of our greatest passions is to support young people to find and unleash the inner power that each of us carries deep within. Once unleashed, we are able to trust our intuition, discover our talents and express our unique gifts. We believe that each of us holds a puzzle piece to the greater whole and when we live our calling, then there is no one to compete with. Knowing that we all have our place, we can embrace each others differences.
What makes Better Me easy to market to potential participants?
Our volunteer program opens the possibility for any person of any age and from any background to travel to Kenya and share their experiences with our beneficiaries. We designed the volunteer experience for open-minded people, who are ready to unlearn common misconceptions and replace those with powerful knowledge, invaluable tools, and real-life experience. Volunteering is great for individuals who have spare time during their vacation and those who have just completed their school and are in their gap years. Volunteers have more freedom to create passion projects with the support of the organization and enjoy great flexibility in their volunteering hours and duration of their stay.
What is your organization's mission, and how do you continue to work toward it?
To unleash the inner power within 1 million Children & Youth with Education, Training and Life Skills to bring about positive change for themselves and their communities.We see Kenya’s new generation as facilitators of positive change and it is our mission to support them in reaching their potential and to co-create a Better World for all.
What do you hope participants take away from your programs?
Gain work experience, occasionally some university credit, and an overall feel for the industry they’re interning in. being attached to a skilled person within the organization (or with our partners) whom they shadow and who acts as their mentor and supervisor. the experience is designed for open-minded people, who are ready to unlearn common misconceptions and replace those with powerful knowledge, invaluable tools, and real-life experience.
Why is it important for people to travel abroad and experience new cultures?
Traveling exposes you to new ways of thinking and living. By experiencing different cultures, you gain a deeper understanding of the world around you. This expanded worldview helps you appreciate diversity and fosters empathy towards people from different backgrounds. You may find many similarities in your shared human experience, and you may also discover more layers to your own experience and privileges by stretching your worldview.
Meaningful engagement with young people is quite essential for mental well-being.
Why do you think learning a new language is important?
Learning a new language nurtures curiosity and openness. you become aware of new cultures, and develop a greater understanding and appreciation of other people and customs that are different to your own. As you develop the language fluency, you increase your ability to communicate across cultures and interact positively with people from other countries.
What advice do you have for individuals thinking about going abroad?
Are you very intentional about your area of volunteering and how flexible are you, if you don't really get what you applied for and their are other pending opportunities to exploit. The Africa we have in mind and the actual Africa when you arrive might be totally different things. Africa has vast opportunities when it comes to volunteering but sometimes it might not be the exact thing you were expecting. do not deny yourself opportunity to exploit other fields which might offer a fulfillment once your throw yourself in.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
You become a better global citizen and yearn to make a difference in the world. Meaningful travel experiences would be definitely different for everyone. it should be designed to blend adventure with compassion meant for those who who believe in the power of travel to create positive change.To make travel more meaningful, you need to make sure you’re incorporating things that make a difference and give back. it is an opportunity to change your life and the lives of those you meet.
