I am excited to share with you reflections on our trip to Kenya. It was an unbelievable trip, and I am deeply grateful to the therapists and coaches in our community who took the leap to come along with us.

We had two main goals:

1. Provide support for our three counselors – Joanne, Milkah, and Connie – who have been working with enormous dedication in refugee schools. These incredible women help children whose parents are battling alcoholism, are traumatized, or are working hard but unable to pay school fees.
2. Deliver the Safe Conversations program to an elementary and high school in the San Marcos community.

I wish there was an easy way to bring all of you reading this blog into the emotionality of this trip. I’ve decided to share a few different types of media to bring you in. On this page, you’ll find the beginning and end of a poem I wrote and shared on Day 1. Alongside this, I’ve included the voices of those who were there with me, to give you a fuller picture of our experience.

A Poem for Our Journey

It’s Nairobi – July 20th and we’re so happy you’re all gathered here
With warm, caring hearts, positive energy and unique counseling cheer
You've traveled from afar, with hearts full of care
To nurture and guide, to be present and share.

We are about to embark on an adventure that has other trips beat
Your wisdom and kindness will touch the kids that you meet
In refugee schools, you'll be lending a hand.
Giving to others through activities we’ve planned

And now the children await you with eyes full of dreams,
In the warmth of your presence, hope brightly gleams.
You’ll inspire, uplift, and share appreciations each day
The results of your gifts will last long after you’ve gone away.

A Journey of Heart and Soul

Our days in Kenya were filled with profound moments. From the smiles of the children to the heartfelt gratitude they expressed, it was clear that the impact of our work was deeply felt. Despite the trauma, loss, and neglect they’ve endured, the children carry a light within them that shines brightly.

Lori Weisman, a therapist in our group, captured the essence of our experience beautifully: “To go to the schools and be with all the kids was mind-blowing. They showed up with big smiles on their faces, songs in their hearts, and an openness to receive anything and everything we had to give.”

Stepping Into the Unknown

For many of us, this trip was more than just a journey to another country; it was a personal challenge to live the values we teach our clients. It was about embracing vulnerability and being fully present in the experience.

Australian therapist Judith Howse was another member of our group. She shared a powerful reflection on stepping into the unknown: “I decided to go on the trip to Kenya because in my practice with my clients, I am inviting them to be curious and to risk stepping into the unknown. I realized that this trip would be an opportunity for me to ‘walk the walk,’ not just ‘talk the talk.’”

Empowering the Next Generation

Ann Kihara, is a therapist from Monterey, CA and was a member of our group. She highlighted the immense potential we encountered:

“I asked the girls what they wanted to do with their futures. What were their aspirations? This is what I heard in response:

‘I want to be a lawyer.’

‘I want to be a neuro-surgeon.’

‘I want to be a pilot.’

‘I want to be a counselor.’

Wow!!! With such strong, resilient, intelligent, open-minded, adventurous young women (and men) in Kenya, our world is going to change more than we can imagine. Go ‘Gen-Z!’

What a gift to be a witness to the beginning transformation of a generation, of a people, of a culture.”

Our work in Kenya wasn’t just about providing immediate support  – it was about planting seeds for the future. These young people have incredible aspirations, and with the help of organizations like Village Impact, they have the opportunity to turn those dreams into reality.

A Journey of Healing

It didn't surprise me that for many of us, the trip to Kenya was as much about our healing as it was about helping others. The connections we formed and the experiences we shared have left a lasting imprint on all of us.

San Francisco Bay Area therapist Yi Martins, reflected on the emotional impact of the trip: “The impact of the trip is still sinking in and becoming more apparent. When I think about it, words like Healing, Transformation, and Integration come to mind. My heart continues to heal from this journey, as being seen and supported by a group of experienced therapists provided a safe space for me.”

We All Hope They Never Stop Dancing

During our visit to the San Marcos school community, reflections from my close friend  Sharon Lack truly encapsulated the emotional depth of our experience. Unlike her previous trip to Kenya a decade ago as a donor, this visit felt different. Sharon arrived with “arms wide open” and a deep sense of cultural humility. She described how the students, like “barnacles,” immediately sought connection, eager to be hugged and seen.

Sharon continued, “Listening to the students who shared their stories of broken homes reset my perspective of what is essential. Remarkably, their trust was immediate and palpable; they wanted someone to pay attention to them, to feel seen, and so we did. On the outside, these students/children present themselves with joy, perhaps school is their refuge, their happy place. However, on the inside, their truths are dark and unfathomable. These beautiful souls move like no other through nonstop dance. Every part of their body separates rhythmically with ease, and we tried to dance like them. At this moment, it makes me sad that we left after a meaningful 72 hours. We couldn’t get enough, nor could the students. Movement can be so healing. We all hope they never stop dancing.”

What stands out most to Pete and me is the joy and gratitude of children who have so LITTLE and the hearts of the team who came with us. Unknowing what they were getting into, they dove in and committed to giving of  themselves and embracing all the Kenyan children.

Pete and I send enormous thanks to everyone who joined us on this journey: Kristen Armstrong, Amy Bassel Crowe, Anne Evans-Cazier, Sue Diamond, Sasha Georgeson, Judith Howse, Ann Kihara, Sharon Lack, Yi Zhao Martins, Jessica Myers-Adams, Nancy and David St John, Jean Okie, Lori Weisman, Nedra Everett.

About Village Impact

Village Impact is an organization committed to transforming lives through education. They work closely with local communities and partners in Kenya to build schools and provide essential resources, including textbooks, science labs, clean water, and teacher accommodations. Village Impact doesn’t just stop at building schools – they invest in the professional development of teachers and principals to ensure that students receive a quality education that empowers them to unlock their full potential. In recent years we’ve taken it a step further by establishing counseling centers for these communities so ravaged by trauma. As you can imagine, this work is very dear to my heart.

Through their dedicated efforts, Village Impact has made significant strides in addressing the educational challenges faced by vulnerable communities, particularly in areas where school infrastructure is lacking or in disrepair. Their holistic approach ensures that each school is not only built but also sustained with the necessary tools and support to thrive.

I am honored to serve on their board and I invite you to visit their website if you are interested in more information: www.villageimpact.com.