As the year comes to a close, we reflect on how we’ve approached mental health in 2024. One concept stands out above all: self-organization. This idea has guided us through the year, reaffirming its importance as a cornerstone for building sustainable and thriving communities. This year, self-organizing played an essential role in our mental health work and approaches, with communities. In a time when organizations must collaborate, whether for project execution or in symposiums for better management of resources, self-organizing is therefore an important aspect even in pursuit of mental health. The central idea is to create multiple avenues of change-makers, with the individual being a community organizer and organizing action for change with the resources at hand, and relying on those of their immediate neighbor or friend. So it is now, that we live in a global era that mental health, then is not to be left in the hands of few agents, but involves us all. To this end, we can all become mental health actors and organizing for mental health.
Among the communities in which our work was most evident was university students, civil groups and athletes. To the students, our partnership with Kenya Model United Nation Kenya played a core role in disseminating information around mental health. Under the leadership of Victoria Mutheu, our Director of Mental Health, a total of 2000 students were reached, with the component of webinars and brought awareness to the diplomatic spaces. The essence of creating this form of influence is to share the vision of mental wellness across all spheres, and across all professional persuasions. For we believe that when the mental health consciousness is lit, more ripples of prolificacy in this realm will be attained. For we realize that the next policy-makers and industry leaders must think of how their policies affect the social and mental wellbeing of the different constituencies whether in built economy or urban design, or in education policies that integrate wellness in their craft, or in refugee and immigrant policies to offer not only shelter and bread but also sane environment, or to adapt to climate change with a human ear, or to promote the courses of peace, all in a quest to make a little heaven down here. For aren’t heaven and hell a creation of the mind? Therefore, the immediacy of mental health consciousness among academic, industry based and diplomatic communities is to create an holistic mindset.
A similar concept of self-organization and interdisciplinary network is evident in the Waka Sanity collaboration with Project Mindstrong, a mental health initiative stewarding mental wellness among athletes championed by Caro Keng’aya Bosire and Leon Nyang. This partnership of minds has set a new model for which many individuals can leverage on their strengths and specializations, and reach a wider community. In enjoining us, in similar efforts is Athletics Upgrade who have since become a strong pillar of Project Mindstrong’s vision of adapting a holistic wellness approach among athletes. It is certain that in bringing change to one, there is change to many. The power of self organizing realizes the power of vibration of one, and the light that we carry, even as individuals can be amplified when we light another candle. This in itself is crucial to the making of a city of a thousand lights – Waka – Africa.
Similarly, this year, through Waka Power Lab, with the leadership of Dennis Kamau, and Victoria Mutheu, the Waka Sanity team ventured to create a new solution – a new app, putting power of mental health to the people. It is within this framework that some of the ideas presented including a predictive AI front as championed by Diana Soi became markers of the opportunities that lie ahead in later versions of the application. This innovative product shows how various professionals within organizations or in communities can bring together their specialties to solve existing problems. Indeed, now, with Hawayu, an adaptation of How Are You? – a quick friendly check on a friend’s status or wellness, this Waka Sanity product is able to offer new opportunities in an age of social media proliferation. Hawayu is a quick self-check-in, and self-care tips based on the state or level of mental health issue. This places self-account and self-care in the hands of the individual, for we realize at the basic level the individual should consciously live a life that advances their optimal wellness.
New models and options present today, including creating social networks among local people within their existing social networks. Sanity Groups whether among blue chip company professionals in the swanky streets of Nairobi or among the hunter-gather communities in the forgotten villages of Baragoi; self -organizing brings with it a culturally suitable mental health intervention. This is most visible in social clubs which bring together people and take various forms and shades based on the social economic status, referred to as clubs among urbanites, and chamas among the common folk.
As we step into a new year, we carry forward the lessons and insights of 2024, especially the importance of self-organization in fostering sustainable communities. We are deeply grateful for your unwavering support, collaboration, and belief in our mission. Together, we can continue to create meaningful change. Here’s to a brighter, healthier, and more connected 2025. Wishing you a joyful and fulfilling year ahead.
Best wishes from:
Meshack Nzioka - Executive Director
&
Diana Soi – Director of Communications