Stewardship & empowerment for youth in Kenya

Education is the most powerful instrument to change the world and Conscious Corner programs aim to make it happen. For the past years, Ann Schreppers * from Conscious Corner has worked in schools and communities worldwide to introduce the practice of yoga as a means to build self-regulation, resilience, confidence and reduce stress. She believes the practice has the potential to empower youth to take ownership over their own lives and health.

In the winter of 2024-2025, Conscious Corner will return to Kenya to host two unique community empowerment projects. Ann will repeat the 'Yoga4Kenya' project as she did last year with a group of +-30-40 Kenyan healthcare workers aged 18-17. Yoga4Kenya is a 30 hour yoga course introducing holistic and proven health principles for physical and mental wellbeing into higher education. The training's purpose is twofold : to empower youth with know-how on how to take care of their body / mind through the soft skills of compassion and self-esteem and to highlight the importance and potential of (self-)awareness to foster a preventative/ sustainable approach to public (physical and mental) health. As we did last year, we will measure the impact of the study with scientific questionnaires. In 2024, we found a significant rise in resilience* in the students who participated.

You can find the link to the documentary here !

Besides, Ann will launch the pilot ‘move4moms’ to support young teenage mothers aged 12-17 to build confidence, expression / communication skills and emotional intelligence. Ann has met these girls last year and felt an incredible call to create a curriculum with practices that can empower these girls to make a positive change in their lives. With mental health care being scarce and psychological support nearly non-existent, Consious Corner hopes to spark a light into these girls lives this upcoming holiday period.

With the heartfelt mission to make a change, Conscious Corner donates 10 % of its income to these & other socio-environmental projects year round. With this Gofundme campaign, we'd like to extend the invitation to whomever wants to contribute.

Conscious Corner hopes to create global awareness on the power of somatic practices and their scientific proven benefits for communities. Our mission is to ensure that everybody can have access to these tools for self-regulation ... and spread this tool for personal and collective liberation to all corners of the world. The long-term vision is to introduce these program to educational institutions worldwide and change society's approach to stress & trauma related mental and physical issues. The program meets the growing demands for a more preventive and holistic approach towards physical and mental health in higher education and adult life. Our projects build much needed roots for youth at the onset of their adult life.

Your support makes the difference.

With this budget we will be able to :

-Hire a photo - & videographer for the project (+-600 euros)

-Pay for transport / taxis to and from the venues (+-250 euros)

-Hire Kenyan local teachers to support us with this project (+-350 euros)

-Develop & teach the course manuals + collect the scientific data for the two projects (+- 100 hours)

-Print materials for students (+-200 euros)

-Offer extra support to the community where the need exists (excess funds)

All other costs such as flight / transportation to Kenya, scientific support, yoga mats …. are funded by the generous contributors listed below and excess funds will be designated towards future youth empowerment programs & student support.

Background information Kenya

Empower Kenyan youth to create transformation

Kenya is a very youthful country. Unfortunately more than 35% is unemployed and feel marginalized in terms of access to opportunities, representation and participation. Simultaneously, the Kenyan youth - as is youth worldwide- is increasingly struggling with mental health problems depression, anxiety, eating disorders, psychosis and substance abuse. Youth self-esteem can play an essential role in creating a transformation.

We hope to make a critical contribution to the science of bodywork, mental health and community empowerment and root for the transformative and universal power of yoga as a tool to heal the relationship with ourselves, others and the planet.

Partners - Thank you !

-Kenyan School for Integrated Medicine (NGO), its founder Marie Magré and the whole team.

-Published author & professor Anne-Marie Vanderhasselt of the Faculty of Psychology of the University of Gent supporting the scientific component of the programs.

-Manduka Yoga Europe for providing me with yoga mats for the students! @MandukaEuropa

-Watamu Treehouse for hosting me onsite & introduce me to the beautiful community of Watamu.

-YOU ! ... All donations and contributions are highly appreciated and necessary for these project to grow and succeed. All donors contributing 25 euros or more are added to a private group on Instagram & receive exclusive updates on the programs.

*Background of Ann Schreppers :

Ann's calling is to contribute to these unique education & research projects by offering knowledge and time. Based upon her extensive international experience as a yoga guide and my academic background (Masters in Public Policy), she developed the 'Conscious Curriculum' , complementing science and practice into wholesome experiences with impact.

Our biggest wish is to see a more connected and compassionate world. Change starts with us, with our educational system and with the way we see and engage with the world.

Or as Mr. Nelson Mandela said :

'Education is the most powerful instrument to change the world'

Thank you so much !

Asante sana.