Today we get to hear the amazing work Brenda Wanjiru does for children’s mental health and peace advocacy. A Kenyan-born, Brenda has since spread her wings to further Africa to live her purpose of practicing a special kind of philanthropy; one that involves working with children affected by conflict and mental health challenges.
Brenda discusses a hands-on approach to philanthropy that involves various initiatives. These include equipping high school students for participation in Model United Nations, providing guidance to African communities on intellectual property and the preservation of culturally significant antiquities, and encouraging the preservation of folklore through its adaptation into contemporary literary forms.
In her professional journey, Brenda discovered that numerous individuals struggle with mental health issues stemming from generational trauma. This realization led her to focus on initiatives like Silencing the Guns, a program designed to support children affected by conflict. Utilizing play therapy, particularly through artistic expression such as painting, Brenda and her colleagues aimed to address both the visible and invisible scars of conflict.
Today, Brenda imparts insights into mental health advocacy, highlighting that the battles of the mind often precede physical conflicts. She emphasizes that wars manifest initially in the psyche, only later escalating to armed conflicts.
Join us once more for this episode of Youth Givers in West Africa, where Brenda's story of altruism serves as an inspiring reminder of the power of selfless giving that resonates with us all.