Doreen's Art Therapy Project and Teen Mom Support

Twice a month, Doreen steps into Harambee Arts, a rehabilitation facility in Nairobi's Kibera slum. Here, she shares her passion for art with children and women, teaching them to express themselves through sketching and painting. Serving as a safe haven for women, children and people with disabilities, Harambee Arts uses expressive art as a means of empowerment and healing, specifically looking to improve mental health.

Driven by the desire to touch the lives of community members around her, Doreen embraced her studies in social work. In her own words: “I have realized that being there for others heals a lot of wounds. I am also healing from my own traumas.”

After months of hard work and significant impact in reducing the cases of poor mental health among beneficiaries, Doreen was recently promoted to a staff member, an opportunity that has since motivated her further.

Besides teaching art, she also spends much of her time in another one of Nairobi slums; Korogosho. In Korogosho, Doreen empowers teen moms, some as young as 11 years old. She teaches them important life skills and offers emotional support, becoming their source of strength and hope in a community where such figures are invaluable.

The struggles she has seen them face have cultivated in her an interest in understanding how these young girls end up shouldering such profound responsibilities. She conducted conducted an in-depth case study on rape, sexual assault, domestic and gender-based violence, drug abuse and mental health with the aim of developing strategies for containment and prevention in the area.

According to Doreen, the strength and resilience exhibited by the young mothers is a constant reminder of the importance of gratitude and resilience in the face of a storm.