Hello, my name is Micah and I am currently pursuing my Master's in Clinical Psychology: Marriage and Family Therapy at Azusa Pacific University. This summer, I've been selected to travel to Kenya as part of an intensive clinical study away program.

What I'll be doing: This isn't a sight seeing trip. I'll be providing real psychological services, under clinical supervision, to some of Kenya's most vulnerable populations: children who have been orphaned or made vulnerable by HIV/AIDS, and families living in extreme poverty.

Why this matters: My training in psychotherapy, combined with this immersive, supervised experience, puts me in a unique position to offer meaningful help. I hope to gain cross-cultural clinical knowledge and I believe this opportunity to work within a different cultural context will strengthen my ability to approach future clients with cultural humility, adaptability, and a broader understanding of how environment and community shape mental health.

My clinical placement site is Valley Light Home in Maai-Mahiu, Kenya, about an hour outside of Nairobi. Kenya is actively working to close orphanages across the country and prioritize family based care such as foster care, adoption, and reunification. Mental health resources in these communities are critically scarce. The children and families we'll serve face compounding trauma, with little to no access to psychological support. So there is a significant gap between the current state and Kenya‘s future goal, including lack of resources, and a little to no education surrounding this change.

Along with providing trauma-focused care and therapy, the aim is to equip the children at Valley Light Home and the surrounding areas with tools and resources for better long-term coping and emotional regulation skills. Additionally, we will be visiting houses in the local villages to provide psychoeducation to parents and caretakers to help them better meet the needs of the children they care for.

Why I need your support: The total program cost is $8,600. My student loans will cover about $3,400 and I'm raising the remaining through a yard sale and selling my handmade jewelry. Every dollar goes directly toward making this experience possible i.e. travel, housing, and program fees.

I leave this summer — any contribution before July 1st helps me finalize preparations. Whether you can give $10 or $500, it makes a real difference. I promise to share updates and reflections from the field so you can see exactly where your generosity went.

Thank you for believing in this work.

Valley Light - https://www.valleylightprograms.org

P.S. — If donating isn't your thing, you can still support the cause and treat yourself at the same time! I handcraft jewelry and sell it through my Etsy shop — every sale goes directly toward this trip. Shop the collection here: https://genuinelycolorful.etsy.com