My name is Shadiya Peevers, and I am the Brand & Communications Strategy Lead at The Metanoia Foundation. I have a degree in Journalism and have spent the past six years working across the humanitarian sector in health, education and child protection. These experiences have given me a deeper understanding of the realities many communities face, from poverty and inequality to the lasting impact of trauma and limited access to essential services.

For me, meaningful work is about making a genuine difference in people's lives. That is what drew me to The Metanoia Foundation. I wanted to be part of an organisation that is not only responding to immediate needs but is also investing in the long-term wellbeing of vulnerable children.

One aspect of The Metanoia Foundation's work that particularly resonated with me was itscommitment to capacity development and training in child mental health. There is a significant gap in access to child-focused Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) services across Kenya and much of Africa. Through free psychotherapy and play therapy, The Metanoia Foundation is helping to bridge that gap by providing children with safe,
therapeutic spaces where they can begin to heal, grow and thrive.

In my role, I hope to strengthen The Metanoia Foundation's voice and visibility by building trusted relationships with communities, partners, supporters and stakeholders. I want to help communicate the impact of our work, increase awareness of child mental health, and contribute to broader conversations that encourage greater investment in child psychotherapy and psychosocial support across Kenya and, in time, the wider African region.

I believe that meaningful change often begins with small actions that grow over time. As the saying goes, "The true meaning of life is to plant trees under whose shade you do not expect to sit." I hope that through my work, I can help lay foundations that will continue to benefit children for generations to come.