A Healing Art Gallery for Young Survivors in Kajiado Kenya
Date Published:
My name is Julia, and I am the founder of Global Impact Vision (GIV), a nonprofit organization serving vulnerable children in Kajiado County, Kenya. Although GIV has never received major grant funding, generous individuals have enabled us to provide educational materials, a few school sponsorship, and weekly Saturday Life Skills classes where children can learn, play, and simply be children. During our Saturday program, the children are divided into age-appropriate groups to ensure the lessons, discussions, and activities are suitable for their stage of development and to create a safe environment where they can freely express themselves. At the end of every session, we share a simple snack together a reminder that every child deserves to feel welcomed, valued, and loved.
As our Saturday program has grown, so has our understanding of the hidden pain many children carry. Through the trust built in these age-specific groups, girls have begun sharing experiences of sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse, neglect, and domestic violence. We have identified 55 girls between the ages of 5 and 15 who need specialized trauma support, and more continue to come.
Some of the stories are heartbreaking. In several cases, the abuse has remained hidden because the alleged perpetrator is a relative or someone perceived to have influence, leaving children and caregivers afraid to speak out. One young girl in our program witnessed the murder of her mother and now lives with overwhelming grief, fear, and trauma. Stories like hers remind us that healing requires more than meeting physical needs—it requires safe spaces where children can process their pain and begin to rebuild their lives.
My wish is to establish a Healing Art Gallery and Creative Therapy Centre in Kajiado, Kenya, where young survivors can heal through art, storytelling, play, music, and professional psychosocial counseling. I want to work alongside trained trauma counselors, psychologists, and art therapists to provide evidence-based healing programs that help children regain confidence, hope, and a sense of safety.
Every child deserves to be heard, believed, protected, and given the opportunity to heal. Through education, creative therapy, and compassionate care, we can help children move beyond trauma toward a future filled with possibility.
If this vision speaks to your heart, I warmly invite you to partner with us. Any support for our growing Saturday Life Skills Program is deeply appreciated. If you would like to walk alongside one child by sponsoring their education, supporting trauma healing, or helping establish the Healing Art Gallery, your partnership can change a life.
My wish is that no child should have to carry the burden of abuse alone. Together, we can create a place where vulnerable children find healing, hope, and the courage to dream again.
As our Saturday program has grown, so has our understanding of the hidden pain many children carry. Through the trust built in these age-specific groups, girls have begun sharing experiences of sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse, neglect, and domestic violence. We have identified 55 girls between the ages of 5 and 15 who need specialized trauma support, and more continue to come.
Some of the stories are heartbreaking. In several cases, the abuse has remained hidden because the alleged perpetrator is a relative or someone perceived to have influence, leaving children and caregivers afraid to speak out. One young girl in our program witnessed the murder of her mother and now lives with overwhelming grief, fear, and trauma. Stories like hers remind us that healing requires more than meeting physical needs—it requires safe spaces where children can process their pain and begin to rebuild their lives.
My wish is to establish a Healing Art Gallery and Creative Therapy Centre in Kajiado, Kenya, where young survivors can heal through art, storytelling, play, music, and professional psychosocial counseling. I want to work alongside trained trauma counselors, psychologists, and art therapists to provide evidence-based healing programs that help children regain confidence, hope, and a sense of safety.
Every child deserves to be heard, believed, protected, and given the opportunity to heal. Through education, creative therapy, and compassionate care, we can help children move beyond trauma toward a future filled with possibility.
If this vision speaks to your heart, I warmly invite you to partner with us. Any support for our growing Saturday Life Skills Program is deeply appreciated. If you would like to walk alongside one child by sponsoring their education, supporting trauma healing, or helping establish the Healing Art Gallery, your partnership can change a life.
My wish is that no child should have to carry the burden of abuse alone. Together, we can create a place where vulnerable children find healing, hope, and the courage to dream again.
