Pursuing My Dream of Counseling Psychology to Better Serve My Community

Since I began my journey as a mentor in the Binti Shupavu program, working with girls in rural areas, I have come to discover that mental health is extremely important. Yet, in many of our communities, it is still not recognized as a real issue. Many people continue to hold on to myths. For example, when someone is experiencing mental challenges, the assumption is often that they must be “mad,” maybe walking around in dirty clothes. But mental health goes far deeper than that. It is about our inner state of mind, our emotional balance, and our psychological well-being.

This year, through my work with CWE-TECH, I had the opportunity to coordinate a partnership with the Tafara Wellness Initiative under the Trauma Solutions Project. Alongside my colleagues, I received training in trauma support. This partnership opened my eyes even more to the realities of mental health struggles within our communities.

For me, this journey felt like touching base with my purpose and calling. The training helped me support the girls I mentor in a deeper and more meaningful way. In the past, when a girl came to me grieving the loss of a loved one, I often did not know what to say. Many of us have been taught to stay silent because we fear saying the wrong thing. But with the training, I learned how to sit with them in their pain, listen with understanding, and walk with them through their healing. I was able to guide them through what I call in-depth emotional “surgery,” helping them process and begin to heal.

This experience showed me clearly that counseling and emotional support are part of my calling.

It has now been ten years since I left high school. In that time, I worked different casual jobs and often could not raise enough funds to join college. But now, after mentoring girls and seeing the real need in my community, across Kenya, and even globally, I know that mental health is something we cannot continue to ignore.

I want to take action, and my first step is going back to school.

I registered at PAC University to pursue a Diploma in Counseling Psychology. My plan is to begin with the diploma and continue to a degree and beyond. However, I had to defer my admission to January due to financial constraints.

I am therefore seeking support, especially financial support, to help me begin my studies in January. I believe this is the beginning of a journey that will help me transform communities. If one short training improved the way I support the girls I mentor so deeply, imagine what a full education will do. It will place me in a position not only to serve my immediate community but also to serve the world.

If you are able to support me financially, connect me to scholarships, or link me with opportunities that can help me pursue this education, I would deeply appreciate it.

Thank you so much for reading and for believing in the power of one step.

About the Author:

My name is Harriet Waithira, a mentor and Programs Officer at CWE-TECH, passionate about supporting girls and communities through psychosocial empowerment, emotional healing, and mentorship. I believe in the power of compassion and education to transform lives.

Call to Action:

If you would like to support my journey to pursue Counseling Psychology at PAC University starting in January, or if you know of scholarships, sponsors, or funding opportunities I can apply to, kindly reach out to me at harrietwaithera46@gmail.com

Your support will help me continue this important work of healing and empowering communities.