Ivy Nyaboke joined the 2025 Resilience Fellowship carrying something many young people know deeply: climate anxiety. Growing up in a community heavily affected by plastic pollution sparked both concern for the future and a passion for mental health advocacy. In this reflection, Ivy shares how the Fellowship helped her move from self-doubt to being a confident leader, discovering the power of safe spaces, community and collective healing along the way.
Many young people today are silently carrying the weight of climate anxiety, uncertainty about the future, fear of environmental loss, and a deep sense of helplessness. Yet, very few have access to safe spaces where they can understand these emotions, process them, and learn how to respond in healthy, empowering ways.
This is why safe spaces matter. This is why community matters.
And this is what my journey in the Resilience Project as a Fellow has been all about.
My journey as a participant in the 2025 Resilience Fellowship has been beautiful, stretching, and deeply transformative. It pushed me beyond my comfort zone and helped me grow in ways I never imagined.
I still remember the first time I saw the opportunity on LinkedIn. My immediate thought was, “This is not meant for me.” I doubted myself before I even tried. But later, a friend encouraged both me and my co-facilitator to apply. At the time, we were working together in one of the first growing mental health organizations in Kenya, and that encouragement made all the difference.
After submitting our application, we waited anxiously. A few days later, we received the email we had been shortlisted for interviews. I was filled with excitement and gratitude. Soon after a successful onboarding process, we were invited to attend a five-day residential.
That experience still feels vivid, as if it happened yesterday.
From the moment we arrived, we were welcomed with so much warmth, joy, and genuine care from the team. Spending five days without my phone turned out to be one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life. For the first time in a long while, I stopped living on autopilot. I became present, intentional, and aware of both myself and my surroundings.
During those five days, I learned in two powerful ways: how to facilitate and how to truly participate. I learned the art of listening deeply, observing without judgment, and holding space for others. I journaled my reflections and began to understand what it truly means to create a safe space for young people.
One of the most profound lessons for me was understanding how climate affects our emotions and how we can respond to that connection with awareness and care. Another concept that stayed with me was the idea of the “resilience rucksack” that we all carry different struggles, and when we come together in safe, supportive communities and share our stories, we build resilience together.
Although the five days felt short, they were incredibly fulfilling. I had the opportunity to rest, reset, and restart. I experienced genuine connection, allowed myself to feel my emotions fully, and began to understand my “why.” Leaving that space was not easy but I left with tools that would help me navigate life more intentionally.
After the residential, we transitioned into the next phase: organizing our Resilience Circle. This involved finding a venue and bringing together participants. Securing a space at JKUAT University in Juja came with its challenges, but we persevered and made it work. Eventually, we successfully formed our circle.
I remember the first day clearly. I was nervous, slightly excited, and unsure but I showed up anyway. Practicing mindfulness, especially simple breathing techniques, helped ground me in that moment.
Along the journey, we faced challenges, particularly inconsistent attendance from participants but we were not alone. I am deeply grateful to Judah and Hannah, our program leads, for consistently showing up for us, guiding us, and helping us stay grounded through it all.
Despite these challenges, the sessions were meaningful and impactful. The topics resonated deeply with our participants. They were open, receptive, and willing to engage. Together with my co-facilitator Kanana, we shared the same love, care, and intentionality that we had experienced during the residential.
And that, for me, is the biggest lesson from this journey:
Healing happens in safe spaces.
Healing happens in the community.
I am truly grateful to be part of a generation of young changemakers who are at the forefront of integrating mental health and climate awareness. This journey has not only shaped how I show up for others, but also how I show up for myself.
And this is just the beginning.
Applications for the 2026 Resilience Fellowship are open to young changemakers in Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya until 11:59pm EAT, Sunday 31st May 2026.
