Informed by youth, driven by compassion.
The young people of the Youth Advisory Board and the Youth Ambassador Programme, shown together in alphabetical order.
A 16-year-old student who believes that stability and support early in life create the foundation for confidence, resilience, and future opportunity.
A 16-year-old student who believes that providing children with stability and support early in life creates the foundation for confidence, resilience, and future opportunity.
A young leader who represents the voice of a rising generation committed to making sure every child feels seen, heard, and supported.
My name is Amaara Samanani. I am a 17-year-old student born in Kenya and currently attending UWC Costa Rica.
I have had the privilege of experiencing education systems in Kenya, South Africa, and now Costa Rica. I am a firm believer in lifelong learning, and I believe that curiosity is one of the most important values that can be cultivated in a child.
I have slowly recognised the advantage my privilege has granted me, and I want to use my position to help others reach for the opportunities I have been afforded.
Nazia Taylor, the founder of The Metanoia Foundation, inspired me with her creation of the Foundation and its mission to free children from the limitations of the trauma they experience. After all, children who are limited by experiences they could never have controlled do not have the freedom of curiosity.
My role in the Foundation is as an advisor and young visionary, because who better to understand children than other children? I truly believe in The Metanoia Foundation’s work towards providing free psychotherapy to children who need it, and I hope that this mission can gain support from everyone.
A 14-year-old student at the International School of Kenya who believes every child deserves good mental health.
My name is Anaiya Khubchandani. I am 14 years old and I go to the International School of Kenya.
I am part of the Youth Advisory Board at The Metanoia Foundation, and I truly believe that every child deserves to live a life with good mental health. I am very excited to be part of this Foundation and to take part in something so meaningful.
A Year 12 student who wants to work with children and has been involved with the Nairobi Children’s Home since 2020.
My name is Aria Taylor from Nairobi, Kenya, and I am 16 years old, currently in Year 12 at Peponi Secondary School. As a member 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 was wanting to be a paediatric oncologist in Year 5, 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 my grandad said, “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 is 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 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. I am so lucky to be able 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 that after I receive my master’s in psychology I can continue to grow with it and, one day, work fully under The Metanoia Foundation.
A 17-year-old at Peponi School who volunteers to educate and support underprivileged girls in Kibera.
I am a 17-year-old student at Peponi School in Kenya. I believe every child deserves the opportunity to grow, learn, and reach their full potential.
I am passionate about giving back to my community. I have volunteered with initiatives supporting underprivileged girls in schools across Kibera and other communities, providing resources, encouragement, and educational opportunities.
As part of The Metanoia Foundation, I hope to raise awareness, support community outreach and fundraising, and advocate for greater access to psychotherapy for underprivileged children. Together, we can help every child heal, grow, and thrive.
A 15-year-old who serves as the foundation’s photographer, using her creativity to support causes.
My name is Asmara Taylor. I am 15 years old and I am the photographer for The Metanoia Foundation. I enjoy wildlife photography, tennis, and music, and I use my creativity to support meaningful causes.
My goal is to help renovate and improve the children’s home we support, and to expand it so that more children can have a safe place and better opportunities.
A Grade 9 student who wants to create real change after witnessing the struggles of underprivileged children.
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.
A Grade 9 student at Rosslyn Academy with a strong interest in medicine and a passion for creating positive change in her community.
My name is Kayla, and I am a Grade 9 student at Rosslyn Academy in Kenya. I have a strong interest in medicine and hope to pursue a career in the medical field, where I can make a difference in the lives of others.
I chose to become a Youth Ambassador because I am passionate about creating positive change in my community. I enjoy spending time with people, learning from different perspectives, and supporting others whenever I can. Through this role, I hope to develop my leadership skills, connect with other young leaders, and contribute to projects that have a lasting impact on the lives of young people.
A 16-year-old student who learns about herself through others and is drawn to communities built on intention and care.
My name is Layla Khubchandani. I am a 16-year-old student currently based in Nairobi, Kenya, where I attend the International School of Kenya. This August, I will be moving to UWC Costa Rica to begin Grade 11.
I have always been drawn to spaces where people come together with intention and care for one another. I feel that when children are supported early on, especially in understanding themselves and their emotions, they are able to grow into more confident, creative, and grounded individuals. That sense of self shapes not only who they become, but how they show up for others, and for themselves, as they grow.
Being a part of this Foundation has taught me so much about coming together as a community: to laugh, to play games, to make music together, and to learn more about myself through others. It creates an environment where children, no matter what they have been through, are encouraged to feel comfortable to grow into the creative, authentic people they are, and into emotionally intelligent and thoughtful individuals.
A 16-year-old STEM enthusiast from Nairobi who has taken part in school service trips and donated resources to children’s homes.
A 16-year-old STEM enthusiast from Nairobi who has taken part in school service trips and donated resources to children’s homes.
A 16-year-old student who believes every child should have the resources to build a strong sense of self.
My name is Siara Samanani. I am a 16-year-old student born in Kenya, currently based in South Africa, and moving to UWC Changshu, China, in August to begin Grade 11.
Throughout my life, I have had many experiences that only reaffirm my strong belief that children, if given the time and space, can create and build wonderful things, problem-solve, and innovate. The environment required for such creativity can only be created if the child is in the right headspace of clarity and willingness.
The Metanoia Foundation helps children put in the building blocks that allow them to grow into emotionally intelligent, well-adjusted adults. I believe in this mission because I believe that every child should be given the necessary resources to cultivate a sense of self, no matter what they have been through or where they come from. By helping a child grow past their trauma, The Metanoia Foundation creates stable, intelligent future adults.
My ideal future for this Foundation is one where the care and therapy that children need to help them flourish reaches far further and helps many young children across Kenya and beyond.
A 15-year-old who lives in the UK, visits Kenya often, and supports the charity after a meaningful experience there.
My name is Stephanie Round-Turner, and I am 15 years old. I live in the UK but regularly visit Kenya. I was introduced to the charity through Asmara and had the opportunity to attend the Christmas charity event, which was a fun and inspiring experience where I got to meet a lot of the children and staff.
I look forward to supporting the charity by taking part in more events and making donations whenever I visit Kenya. I hope to make a positive difference and help wherever I can.
Transformation through compassion.
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