My name is Ayla Samanani, and I am a 14-year-old Grade 9 student currently studying in Cape Town, South Africa, at Bridge House School. I was born and raised in Kenya, where I began to understand how privileged I am and how much I often take for granted.

Seeing how many children grow up without a safe and supportive environment has deeply impacted me. I joined the foundation because I want to help in any way I can. Visiting the foundation is both heartbreaking and motivating - it pushes me to want to create real change and contribute to something bigger than myself.

No child should have to experience even a fraction of the hardship that many of these children have faced. I strongly believe in the foundation’s mission to help children heal from trauma and provide them with a safe space where they feel valued, supported, and loved.

I hope the foundation continues to grow and reach more children, not only in our community but around the world. I would love to see it expand its impact, giving every child the chance to heal, feel safe, and build a future filled with opportunity and hope