The Metanoia Foundation provides free psychotherapy and play therapy support to young children who have been orphaned or abandoned, or who are underprivileged and have faced unimaginable hardship in their earliest years. We believe in the power of compassion and connection to heal the youngest and most vulnerable members of our society.
The early years of a child’s life lay the foundation for their future. We began our journey at The Nairobi Children’s Rescue Centre, serving abandoned and orphaned children from birth to seven years of age whose first years have been marked by abandonment and trauma. We seek to be of service in their journey towards recovery and wholeness.
Every child can move towards healing when they are met with compassion and connection.
We believe it is the birthright of every child to have emotional health and happiness, even in the face of adversity.
100% of donations go towards children’s emotional wellbeing: play therapy materials, child counsellors, volunteers, food and medication as needed, and our Early Childhood Therapeutic Interventions for Infants initiative.
Play therapy is a form of counselling for young children that uses play as a way to communicate. Because children often cannot explain their feelings in words, toys and drawing help them express and work through difficult experiences. Over time, play helps a child build trust and feel safe.
Psychotherapy is a psychological approach in which a trained professional meets regularly with a child. Through conversation, attunement, and other creative activities, it helps a child make sense of what has happened and find healthy ways of processing their feelings.
Children who have lived through trauma often find it hard to feel safe, trust others, or concentrate in class. Social Emotional Learning (SEL) gives them everyday tools to understand their emotions, calm their bodies, build healthy relationships, and make caring choices.
Daily routines such as breathing, check-ins, and safety circles help children feel safe enough to learn. Delivered by trained teachers and caregivers, these simple practices become part of the school day, so support continues long after a session ends.
Practical guidance and activities for bringing Social Emotional Learning into classrooms and care settings. Available in digital and hardcopy. Buying a copy supports our work with children.
Placeholder: handbook details and price to come.
Licensed Psychologist
Born and raised in Kenya, Nazia began working with children long before the Foundation was established, through quiet conversations and moments of trust built over time.
Born and raised in Kenya, my work with children began long before this Foundation was established, through quiet conversations and moments of trust built over time. Over the years, I have seen how much can shift in a child’s life when they are met with compassion.
The Metanoia Foundation was born from this understanding, shaped by both experience and hope to support children who carry more than their share of hardship.
A Master’s degree in Developmental Psychology and training in therapeutic disciplines such as EMDR, CBT, DBT, MBSR, IFS, and Compassionate Inquiry have shaped how I understand a child’s inner world. As part of an integrated model of care, 7% of my private practice (Metanoia Seven) income is allocated to support the Foundation’s operations and ongoing care work.
The first act of this Foundation was the creation of a Play Therapy Room, built in memory of my late father, a man whose quiet philanthropy continues to guide me. It is my way of honouring him, and of restoring safety and healing to the early years of children who have experienced abandonment, loss, and trauma.
As a mother and a therapist, I understand both the fragility and brilliance of young lives. The Metanoia Foundation is my purpose, an offering in service to a vision of transformation through compassion, for every child.
Holds a business administration degree and has more than ten years of experience in administration and customer service.
I am the Administration and Operations Lead at The Metanoia Foundation, where I work to ensure that our operations, systems, and partnerships support the life-changing work we do every day. I believe that strong organisational foundations enable transformative work, allowing our team to focus on bringing hope, healing, and meaningful support to the youngest and most vulnerable members of our society.
I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and have over ten years of experience in administration, operations management, executive support, and project coordination. Throughout my career, I have developed a passion for building efficient systems, strengthening organisational processes, and fostering collaborative relationships that help mission-driven organisations create lasting impact.
What inspires me most about The Metanoia Foundation is our belief in the transformative power of compassion and connection. I am honoured to contribute to a team that is dedicated to nurturing healing, restoring hope, and creating safe, supportive environments where children and families can thrive. I am committed to serving with integrity, excellence, and purpose, ensuring that every aspect of our operations strengthens our mission and helps transform lives.
Has a journalism degree and six years of humanitarian sector experience in health, education, and child protection.
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 its commitment 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 psychological 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.
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 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 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 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 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 17-year-old student at Peponi School who believes every child deserves the opportunity to grow, learn, and reach their full potential.
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 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 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.
A professional counselling psychologist and mental health advocate.
Rebecca Saha is a Counselling Psychologist and a passionate mental health advocate dedicated to supporting individuals in achieving emotional wellbeing. She specialises in providing emotional support and uses Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) to help clients develop healthier thought patterns and ways of processing.
Rebecca is deeply committed to promoting mental wellness and believes that self-care plays a vital role in maintaining psychological health. She encourages individuals to intentionally create time for rest, reflection, and activities that nurture their wellbeing.
Outside of her professional work, Rebecca enjoys exploring aesthetic restaurants, spending time in good company, and discovering new culinary experiences, often capturing these moments through photography.
A mental health advocate with a background in community development.
Sandra Amani is a passionate mental health advocate with a background in Community Development. She began her professional journey in customer service roles across various institutions. Despite gaining valuable experience, she felt unfulfilled and was continually drawn towards supporting individuals facing mental health challenges. Through these experiences, she discovered her purpose, as many people naturally confided in her during difficult times.
She is currently completing her Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology, a journey that has deepened her commitment to mental health care. As part of her training, she undertook an attachment at Mathari National Teaching and Referral Hospital, where she gained hands-on experience working with patients presenting a wide range of mental health disorders.
In addition, she volunteers at The Nairobi Children’s Rescue Centre through The Metanoia Foundation, where she provides psychological support services to the children in its care.
Her work is driven by compassion, empathy, and a strong desire to promote mental wellbeing and resilience within communities.
A psychology graduate focused on mental health advocacy.
Virginia Makumbi is a Psychology graduate from Moi University and a dedicated, insightful professional who is passionate about transforming lives through mental health advocacy, psychotherapy, and behavioural research. With two years of practical experience, she specialises in psychological assessments, therapy, and holistic mental health interventions tailored to both individuals and groups.
Her expertise includes identifying mental health challenges, developing effective care plans, and empowering clients with practical ways of processing to navigate life’s complexities. She is committed to promoting emotional wellbeing through compassionate, client-centred care.
Currently, Virginia volunteers at The Nairobi Children’s Rescue Centre, where she supports children through psychological and psychosocial interventions aimed at fostering resilience and healing.
A psychology graduate with a strong foundation in human behaviour and mental health.
Alfred Odhiambo Odede is a Psychology graduate from Tharaka University, where he developed a strong foundation in understanding human behaviour and mental health. His early career included meaningful work with children and adolescents, giving him direct insight into the unique emotional and social challenges faced by young people in difficult circumstances. Alfred’s approach is grounded in active listening, patience, and a firm belief in the potential for positive change when a child feels truly supported.
Currently, Alfred volunteers through the Foundation at The Nairobi Children’s Rescue Centre, where he works alongside caregivers and social workers to offer psychological first aid, emotional support, and age-appropriate counselling to children recovering from trauma and instability.
Though still early in his professional journey, he brings a strong combination of academic knowledge, hands-on experience, and heartfelt dedication to his role, making him a trusted presence in the lives of the children he serves.
A psychology graduate who supports people in their mental health and recovery.
Catherine Museng’ya Muthiani is a Psychology graduate dedicated to supporting individuals in their mental health and recovery journeys. She has gained experience working in clinical and rehabilitation settings, including Sarazekiel Treatment Centre and Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital, where she provided psychological support and facilitated therapy sessions.
She works with diverse populations using evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT), with a particular interest in child mental health, trauma-informed care, and substance use rehabilitation.
Catherine is currently volunteering at The Nairobi Children’s Rescue Centre through The Metanoia Foundation, where she supports children’s emotional expression and wellbeing through play-based activities.
A psychology graduate with experience in Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS).
Humphrey Ndungu is a Bachelor of Psychology graduate from Laikipia University with strong experience in Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) across clinical, community, and institutional settings. He has worked in diverse and high-demand environments, including refugee settings in Kakuma and correctional facilities at Nyandarua GK Prison, where he facilitated addiction recovery interventions, conducted mental health assessments, and provided psychological support to vulnerable populations.
At Lodwar County Referral Hospital, Humphrey supported clients with medication adherence, including HIV and TB care, contributing to improved psychological wellbeing and continuity of care. He has also contributed to rehabilitative and developmental care at L’Arche Kenya, supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities through psychosocial interventions and assistance with daily living activities. Additionally, at Amani Counselling Centre and Training Institute, he supported counselling student training, conducted client intake assessments, and assisted in administrative and data management functions.
Currently, Humphrey volunteers at The Nairobi Children’s Rescue Centre through The Metanoia Foundation, where he applies play and art therapy within a trauma-informed approach to support children in emotional expression, healing, and resilience building. He is committed to advancing mental health practice through compassionate, evidence-based, and client-centred approaches that promote dignity, inclusion, and psychological wellbeing.
Holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and has community-based mental health experience.
Lilian Kamau holds a Bachelor of Psychology and has experience in community-based mental health work. Through volunteer engagement in Mathare, she gained valuable insight into the psychosocial needs of individuals in underserved settings, strengthening her commitment to accessible mental health support.
She is currently volunteering with the Foundation at The Nairobi Children’s Rescue Centre, where she is actively developing skills in child-focused psychological support and play-based approaches. Lilian is passionate about continuous learning and about contributing to interventions that promote emotional wellbeing and resilience among children and communities.
A counselling psychologist with clinical experience from Mathari National Teaching and Referral Hospital.
Nelyvet Meggy Akinyi is a Counselling Psychologist and a graduate of Mount Kenya University. With a clinical background from Mathari National Teaching and Referral Hospital, she brings valuable experience in supporting individuals with diverse mental health needs.
She is currently a Nivishe Mental Health Fellow, dedicated to advancing community-based mental health advocacy and promoting awareness. She also volunteers through the Foundation at The Nairobi Children’s Rescue Centre, where she provides psychological support and mentorship, focusing on fostering resilience and holistic wellbeing among children in transition.
Her work is driven by a passion for empowering individuals and strengthening mental health support within communities.
Transformation through compassion.
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