What inspired you to start Nivishe?
My primary motivation stems from my identity as a Nubian, a community often overlooked in Kenya. Nubians, including myself, faced challenges in obtaining identity cards, essential for accessing public services such as education and healthcare. Kibra, our indigenous land, has been a historical hotbed for various forms of violence. While numerous non-profits were addressing different issues in the area, mental health remained largely neglected.
In my community work, I realized that true empowerment requires a shift in mindset. Economic empowerment alone is insufficient; mental health plays a pivotal role. Drawing from my background in psychotherapy, I saw a significant gap in addressing mental health issues. Before founding Nivishe, I operated a counseling center for Muslim women, and our partnership with a local mosque provided a safe space for mental health support.
What challenges have you faced regarding organization, staff, and volunteers at Nivishe?
Starting in a community saturated with non-profits in Kibra posed challenges, especially as a newcomer without significant financial resources. Overcoming initial segregation during events, I forged my path. Initially unable to pay my team, their commitment has been instrumental in our growth. We are now reaching a point where we can offer full-time salaries.
While assembling a dedicated board was relatively smooth due to my experience and network, the challenge lay in fundraising. With nothing tangible initially, convincing supporters of Nivishe’s potential impact required extra effort.
What are some positive aspects that keep you going despite the challenges at the organizational level?
The strength of our team is a crucial driving force. Nivishe boasts of an exceptional team that operates seamlessly even in my absence. Fostering a self-leadership culture, we embrace remote work with alternating office days, making supervision challenging but not impossible.
This approach allows me to focus on my roles as the founder and head of fundraising. I am fortunate to have a dedicated board that goes beyond their roles, serving as mentors who genuinely want to give back. Their resourcefulness and unwavering support contribute significantly to our success.
Resilience is ingrained in both myself and the organization, and our shared values of transparency and honesty play a pivotal role. Decision-making is collaborative, reinforcing our belief in the vision that drives Nivishe forward.
What impact does Nivishe have on its beneficiaries?
Nivishe focuses on mental health through a community-based and culturally sensitive approach. Our unique strategy involves collaboration with community members who understand its challenges. We operate across four pillars:
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Mental Health Awareness and Advocacy
We raise awareness about mental health issues by conducting impactful community radio work during COVID-19. Recognizing the need for understanding, we provide information before offering counseling services. -
Intervention
Our counselors, trained in sign language, offer counseling services, reaching beyond Kibra to Nairobi. We collaborate with schools, introducing mental health clubs and implementing a 360-degree approach involving students, parents, and teachers.- Our Mental Health Fellowship, conducted twice a year, engages young individuals in a rigorous 4-month training, fostering community engagement.
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Community Outreach
Every Saturday, we engage with women and youth in villages, with a current focus on postpartum depression. Our approach involves learning from the community while providing support. -
Research and Partnership
We prioritize research to enhance our impact and seek partnerships to broaden our reach. Within the organization, we also prioritize capacity building, ensuring that Nivishe continues to positively impact our beneficiaries’ mental health and well-being.
Can you elaborate on Nivishe’s collaborations at the community level and engagement with other stakeholders?
As an established entity, Nivishe has become a sought-after partner within the community. Our primary supporters are religious leaders, as individuals often turn to them first in times of challenge. The Nivishe brand is widely recognized for our commitment to addressing mental health issues, making us the go-to organization in the community.
Can you share more about the mentorship culture at Nivishe?
At Nivishe, our leadership is defined by a mentoring and coaching approach. I avoid authoritarianism, and this philosophy permeates every aspect of our organization.
When a new member joins our team, they undergo comprehensive guidance, ensuring a smooth integration. This commitment to mentorship extends beyond our internal team to encompass our beneficiaries. The board actively plays a mentoring role, contributing to creating a pervasive organizational culture centered around mentorship.
What is Nivishe’s long-term vision?
Our long-term vision for Nivishe is to establish a comprehensive one-stop mental health center. Envisioned as a peaceful and secure haven in a safe environment, this center will cater to various mental health needs. Additionally, we aim to expand our successful virtual Mental Health Fellowship to a continental level.
Emphasizing community-level research, we aspire to share and document the unique stories of the Nubian community, contributing to a richer narrative surrounding mental health and well-being.
How did the name “Nivishe” come about?
Nivishe holds a powerful meaning in Swahili, translating to “clothe me.” This name encapsulates our mission to provide a covering of support and empowerment, much like clothing for the mind and spirit. It symbolizes our commitment to enriching lives, particularly in the context of mental health and fostering empowerment within the community.
Coming from Kibra, have you expanded your initiatives to other areas facing similar challenges?
Our presence in other areas is contingent on partnerships with organizations operating there. However, we are taking steps to broaden our reach. A forthcoming stakeholders meeting in Machakos aims to plan an outreach in Tala. Looking ahead, we aspire to establish our presence in various locations by 2027, extending our impact to communities facing similar challenges.
How do you measure the success of Nivishe’s initiatives?
We gauge our success by examining the organization’s growth and scaling. With a clear strategic plan, our success is measured against the milestones outlined.
Recently, during a retreat in Mombasa over the December holidays, each department reflected on their achievements aligned with the strategic plan. It’s worth noting that measuring success in mental health initiatives is nuanced, given the behavioral nature of mental health, making it a challenge to quantify.
What advice do you have for younger aspiring change-makers and those struggling with challenges?
I advise aspiring change-makers to start where they are, utilizing available resources. Despite the inevitable challenges, don’t despair; resilience is a powerful ally. Building a supportive community has been instrumental in my journey, emphasizing the significance of a strong network. Seek out good mentors; they serve as an invaluable support system.
Remember, not everyone is your competitor; collaboration often yields a more significant impact.
How do you navigate setbacks in your initiatives?
“When faced with setbacks, we adopt a proactive approach.”
We evaluate the situation, gather input, and address challenges concurrently with our ongoing programs. Importantly, we refrain from pausing our initiatives to handle setbacks, ensuring a continuous and adaptive approach to overcoming obstacles.
