My name is Aria Taylor from Nairobi, Kenya  and I am 16 years old, and currently in Year 12 at Peponi Secondary school. I am a part of the Metanoia Foundation Youth Advisory Board, I have had the privilege of working with the Nairobi children’s home since 2020 after the passing of my maternal grandfather. I have always known that I have a passion for working with children, whether it be wanting to be a pediatric oncologist in Year 5, or a kindergarten teacher in Year 9, or currently a child psychologist like my mom, I have an unwavering faith in our future generations ability to change the world. As said by my grandad "The only thing separating you from the people begging outside your car is the window” - I find myself wondering why I have been given the opportunities that I have, and what made me so deserving of the life I lead, whether it’s going to Kajiado to surprise a family with clothes and books over Christmas or giving bread and milk to people in need before a trip or big exam, I was always immensely grateful that I got to help and make someone’s life or day a little bit easier.

The metanoia foundation focuses on providing underprivileged children with free psychological help and I resonate with its mission fully and am so lucky that I have the ability to share my ideas with a board where they will be heard and executed. I hope that as the foundation grows it becomes global and after I receive my masters in psychology I can continue to grow with it and hopefully one day work fully under the Metanoia Foundation.