Stand Out 4 Mental Health

19/12/2025

Happy Holidays!

16/12/2025

As the years ends and we finalize the 9-month Mama Hope LDA (Localization Development Accelerator) Program, I am reflecting on how deeply community-rooted and peer-led this journey has been.

This was not just a leadership program it was accompanied by a season of growth at a critical point in time, in our growth journey as Stand Out 4 Mental Health.

Five key takeaways from the journey:

1. Community-rooted leadership - Mama Hope centers leadership that is grounded in lived realities, local wisdom, and accountability to the communities we serve.

2. Telling our stories boldly - I learnt to speak our truth with clarity and courage. This pushed me knee-deep into lived experience advocacy and strengthened how I show up in mental health and disability spaces.

3. Stronger programs and systems - Through the program, we restructured our work, refined our programs, and re-did our Theory of Change with intention.

4. Donor stewardship that builds trust - Learning donor stewardship significantly improved our donor relationships, shifting them from transactional to long-term partnerships.

5. Practical and timely support - Mama Hope supported us to open our organization bank account, acquire some office supplies and facilitated key needs that enabled my participation at the Global Mental Health Summit in Cape Town, South Africa in November this year.

I am grateful for the milestones Mama Hope has walked with us through, including our win at the Ed Launch Africa Incubator Program by Teach for All, participation in the Change the Game Academy Local Fundraising Training by Kenya Community development Foundation. The that built my confidence in elevator pitches.

As we transition into 'The Collective', still with Mama Hope’s support, we are positioned to reach 500 more children through expressive art therapy and learning-through-play sessions.

LDA 2026 Cohort | Applications Are Now Open!

If you are a community-rooted leader building solutions that matter, I strongly encourage you to apply for the next Mama Hope LDA cohort. More details and the application link are in the comments.

Grateful for the journey. Excited for what’s next.



Image Credit: Mumbi Muturi

16/12/2025

Recently, we participated in the Unplug and Play Fun Day. This was was one of those events that quietly reminds us why this work matters. Watching children laugh freely, run without hesitation, create without fear, and simply be was a powerful reminder that play is not something extra in childhood, it is essential.

Co-hosting this day with Unplug and Play and Teach For Kenya, alongside the community-rooted work we do at , felt deeply affirming.

From jumping on the bouncing castle and dancing with the mascot to problem-solving games through jig-saw puzzles, face painting, a variety indoor games, playing of musical instruments (the violin and the piano) and expressive art corner, every moment carried intention and engaged every type of learner. What stood out most was not just the activities, but the presence, parents choosing to be fully there, volunteers showing up with so much heart, and partners coming together around a shared belief in children and their wellbeing.

Play creates language where words may fail. Through art, music and movement, children express emotions, build confidence, practice problem-solving, and learn to relate with others. For parents and caregivers, moments like these are reminders that support does not always require expertise or resources; it begins with time, attention, and permission for children to simply be children.

What made the day powerful was the collective effort. Community members, partners, and volunteers worked in harmony to create a safe, inclusive space where every child could participate, explore, and belong. This is the heart of our work at : using art and play as tools for connection, mental wellness, and inclusive growth, especially in spaces where children are often expected to grow up too fast.

When communities come together around play, we are not just hosting fun days. We are nurturing resilience, strengthening families, and shaping environments where children can thrive.

Grateful to everyone who showed up, played along, and believed in the power of art, play, and community.

09/12/2025

Day 15: “No woman should be left behind in digital spaces. Inclusion is protection. ”

🗣️ Today’s reminder:
Access to digital spaces is not just about connectivity, it’s about safety, empowerment, and equality. Women who are excluded are more vulnerable to abuse and less able to access resources, support, or opportunities.

What research in Kenya shows:
A 2024 national survey found that women in rural areas and marginalized communities face barriers to accessing safe digital spaces, increasing their risk of online harassment and limiting access to education, health, and employment resources. (Kenya Digital Inclusion & Safety Study, 2024)

Inclusive digital programs that provide training, access, and awareness reduce exposure to online abuse and strengthen resilience among women. (National Digital Equity & Protection Evaluation, 2024)

Research indicates that promoting digital equity and literacy among women directly correlates with safer online participation and empowerment. (Kenya Gendered Digital Inclusion Report, 2024)

💡 Why it matters:
Digital inclusion is not only about access; it’s a safety measure. Ensuring women are empowered online reduces their vulnerability and strengthens communities.
What you can do right now:
◆ Promote access: Support programs that give women and girls safe connectivity and digital skills.
◆ Include and protect: Ensure online spaces, groups, and platforms are inclusive and moderated for safety.
◆ Educate on digital safety: Train women and girls on privacy, consent, and reporting mechanisms.
◆ For institutions: Design policies, tools, and programs that prioritize women’s safety, equity, and participation online.



Poster Credit: Sylvia Bee

08/12/2025

Day 14: “Tech should uplift, not endanger. Let’s design with safety in mind.”

🗣️ Today’s reminder:
Technology can empower, educate, and connect us, but without careful design and safeguards, it can also expose users, particularly women and girls, to harassment, exploitation, and privacy violations.

What research in Kenya shows:
A 2024 study on digital platform use in Kenya found that platform design flaws often contribute to harassment, stalking, and data breaches, disproportionately affecting women and vulnerable groups. (Kenya Digital Platform Safety Assessment, 2024)

Young users report that lack of privacy controls, anonymity features, and content moderation increases exposure to harmful content and online abuse. (National Youth Digital Safety Report, 2024)

Evidence suggests that integrating user-centric safety measures and educational prompts reduces digital abuse and empowers users to navigate technology safely. (Kenya Digital Safety Design & Policy Review, 2024)

💡 Why it matters:
Safe design isn’t optional. When tech is built with safety in mind, it prevents harm, protects privacy, and encourages positive engagement online.
What you can do right now:
◆ Promote safe design: Advocate for privacy, moderation, and consent-focused features on platforms you use.
◆ Stay informed: Learn about app and platform safety settings and teach others to use them.
◆ Report unsafe tech practices: Alert platforms or authorities if a product exposes users to risk.
◆ For institutions & developers: Integrate safety, consent, and abuse-prevention measures into technology, apps, and digital services.



Poster Credit: Sylvia Bee

07/12/2025

Day 13: “Healthy relationships respect boundaries, online and offline.”

🗣️ Today’s reminder:
Boundaries are essential for trust and safety, whether in-person or online. Respecting them protects mental health, dignity, and wellbeing, and prevents abuse or harassment.

What research in Kenya shows:
A 2024 study on adolescent and young adult relationships in Kenya found that students who reported clear communication and respect for personal boundaries experienced significantly lower rates of online harassment and relationship-related stress. (Kenya Youth Relationship & Digital Safety Study, 2024)

Cases of boundary violations online, such as unsolicited messages, sharing private content, or pressuring someone for personal information, contribute to anxiety, depression, and social withdrawal. (National Digital Boundaries & Consent Report, Kenya 2024)

Promoting mutual respect and consent in digital interactions reduces incidents of online abuse and improves overall relationship health. (Kenya Digital Citizenship and Healthy Relationships Evaluation, 2024)

💡 Why it matters:
Respecting boundaries online is not optional, it is a cornerstone of safety, trust, and equality. Encouraging healthy interactions strengthens communities and protects everyone.
What you can do right now:
◆ Set your own boundaries: Make clear what is acceptable in your interactions online and offline.
◆ Respect others’ boundaries: Do not share content, messages, or images without consent.
◆ Educate peers: Discuss healthy relationship habits and digital consent with friends and networks.
◆ For institutions: Include boundary-respect and consent education in programs for youth, staff, and community members.



Poster Credit: Sylvia Bee

06/12/2025

06/12/2025

06/12/2025

Day 12: “If you see abuse, don’t swipe past. Your voice can save someone.”

🗣️ Today’s reminder:
Witnessing online abuse and staying silent allows harm to continue. Speaking up, safely, can protect someone, stop escalation, and show that harassment is not tolerated.

What research in Kenya shows:
A 2024 study on online harassment among youth in Kenya found that over 50% of abusive incidents went unreported because bystanders did not intervene, allowing harm to persist. (Kenya Youth Digital Safety & Bystander Survey, 2024)

Active intervention, such as reporting, messaging support, or flagging harmful content, reduces the duration and impact of abuse on survivors. (National Digital Safety Bystander Action Study, 2024)

Girls and women are disproportionately affected, and bystander action has been shown to increase feelings of safety and empowerment among potential victims. (Gendered Digital Harms Report, Kenya 2024)

💡 Why it matters:
Silence enables harm. Your voice, even in small, safe ways, can disrupt abuse, support survivors, and promote accountability online.
What you can do right now:
◆ Report abuse: Use platform tools or trusted authorities to flag harmful content.
◆ Support victims: Send messages of encouragement, validate their experience, and guide them to reporting channels.
◆ Call out harmful behaviour: Speak up safely when witnessing harassment or abuse.
◆ For institutions: Encourage bystander intervention programs, clear reporting procedures, and survivor-focused support systems.



Poster Credit: Sylvia Bee

06/12/2025

Reflecting on the 3-Day Training on Local Fundraising

This week, our team had the privilege of joining the 3-day face-to-face training on by Kenya Community Development Foundation
and Change the Game Academy an experience that has strengthened our commitment to community-driven impact.

Key Highlights

1. Community Power & Ownership

Real transformation happens when communities lead their own development. Our role is to support, not overshadow.

2. Local Resource Mobilization

We reflected deeply on the need to move away from over-reliance on foreign aid.

Local solutions exist. Local resources exist. Local generosity exists.

3. Capacity Strengthening for Grassroots Organizations

Grassroots groups are closest to the challenges and closest to the solutions.

4. Understanding the Donor Mindset

We learnt that people fund people, not organizations.

Authenticity, clarity, and trust remain at the heart of good partnerships.

5. Local Fundraising Skills

From storytelling to building relationships, we learnt how to be both findable and fundable, a mindset that will shape our resource mobilization moving forward.

Key Takeaways:

1. Communities thrive when they lead.

2. Local resources matter.

3. People fund people.

4. Be findable. Be fundable.

5. Power shifts begin at community level.

We are excited to integrate these lessons as we continue coloring minds and nurturing hearts, through community-driven work.