Jenga Africa is an organization dedicated to promoting mental health and suicide prevention. Launched in 2017, we work to help millions of young people globally in overcoming depression and suicide ideation.
How it began…
Founded in 2017; after 20 years of battling depression and suicide ideation + attempts, Sheilla Akwara overcame her struggles and formed Jenga Africa to help other young people struggling with the same.
On 11th December 2018, Jenga Africa was formally launched with head- quarters in New York, Kenya & South Africa, with the prime purpose of promoting mental health and well-being of young people.
We began our promotion and advocacy work
with visits to schools, appearances on radio and TV, and also working with the United Nations and with various governments in Kenya and South Africa
Accentuated by COVID-19 pandemic, we expanded our outreach to include its impact on mental health, and established partnerships with key individuals and organizations.
We launched one of our mental-wellness bootcamp, where we help young people understand their journeys in life with practical tools that will help in dealing with their mental health
Our engagement…
We engage with schools, governments, individuals, public and private society to achieve our goals in implementing key programmes aimed at addressing stigma; and creating solutions and strategies that can assist young people as they forge their futures and visions.
Sheilla Akwara, the founder of Jenga Africa, was plagued with bouts of severe depression, addictions, suicidal thoughts and several attempts for over 20 years. She was a victim of bullying and beatings at school, and life at home proved difficult at times. Her first suicidal attempt was at a boarding school in Kenya at 13 years of age. In 2013 she was spiritually rescued from this dark place of gloom and despair. Upon seeing the many young people taking their lives especially in Africa, she decided to do something more than have a conversation. For this reason, she formed the organization, Jenga Africa.
Visit this page to learn more about Sheilla Akwara.
Jenga Africa aims to build strength, hope, boldness and resilience that is within young people; harnessing the power of dialogue to encourage youth empowerment, create workshops that will assist youth in crafting their futures and additionally creating safe spaces for courageous conversations.
mentor sessions below
