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 themselves 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 kids across Kenya and beyond.