Once qualified my friend (also a counsellor) decided to volunteer for Rafiki Mwema in Nakaru, Kenya. We spent 12 months fund raising, to cover the costs and to take 3 full suitcases of therapeutic art and sensory equipment for the children and their therapy room.
In 2016, we travelled to Kenya, laden with therapeutic goodies to meet the extraordinary children at Rafiki Mwema. The charity supports and provides for extremely traumatised children, both physically and psychologically.
My friend and I stayed with a group of new boy members, aged 10-18yrs. Through play and creative group sessions they were able to explore and express their individual experiences and emotions and as a group were able to celebrate their tribal bonds and new found home, by using and having fun with mediums they had never encountered, such as paints, glitter, feathers, diamontes etc. They took pride in decorating their home with their creations. Over the two weeks, we were able to build bonds with the boys, they taught us how to make their jewellery, how they cooked, invited us to eat with them, we even went to Church with them. One of my favourite memories was being lead by two boys and a member of staff on a bike ride through the local villages, proudly showing me some of their culture, all the way to the nature reserve. Once they began to trust us, one evening sitting around a fire in their dusty garden, we heard some of their harrowing trauma stories, it was absolutely heart breaking. However, seeing how resilient they had become, how they had taken care of themselves and each other, creating their very own family was incredible. We were witness to their tears, frustrations, fears and laughter, mischievousness, playfulness, gratitude and hope. On our final day, we decided to throw the boys a party with balloons, games, party bags. None of them had ever had a birthday party, they were so excited. Even the alfa (18yrs old) reverted to a child. There was so much fun and laughter, memories made for a lifetime.
We also visited the girls house, from as young as 2 years to 18 years. We offered creative play sessions with the young girls, whilst social skills and self esteem creative group sessions with the older ones. Hoping to provide an opportunity to be expressive, encourage connection and have to fun. The girls loved creating, sharing and supporting each other. Once again a truly magical experience.
Since our visit in 2016, Rafiki Mwema has come a long way. The children no longer live on the streets or in the houses that were spread out in Nakaru. Now they live on their own farm, with the girls house and the boys house. They have a school, are taught to work the farm, whilst gaining essential life skills, they are cared for and receive therapy to help heal their trauma wounds. They now live in a safe, caring, compassionate community.
The experiences at Rakifi Mwema will stay with me forever. The heartbreak, the horrific stories, the wonder of these resilient, inspirational children, the compassion, love and hope. They touched my core and changed my world view forever.
For more information go to:
Dawn Counselling Services 