I am thrilled to share that I have recently transitioned from the Dalai Lama Fellowship program, hosted at the prestigious University of Virginia, USA. My journey with the fellowship began in 2020, and over the course of this transformative experience, I had the opportunity to embark on a project close to my heart: “Linda Buruwein,” which can be loosely translated to “Protect Your Brain.” This project centered around addressing mental health challenges among young people through a peer-to-peer approach.

The “Linda Buruwein” project was executed through the Stowelink Foundation and was an integral part of the larger NCDs 365 project. The aim was to reach young people across Kenya, both online and offline, through innovative peer-to-peer learning programs, interactive Zoom consultation calls, and community engagement activities. The project’s launch coincided with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, necessitating adaptive measures to ensure its continued impact amidst challenging circumstances.

Throughout my participation in the Dalai Lama Fellowship program, I gleaned invaluable insights from my coach, Mr. Anthony DeMauro. One of my most significant learnings revolved around managing and navigating difficult conversations. As a leader of the Stowelink Foundation and in various facets of my life, my coach guided me in embracing the inherent conflicts that arise in leadership roles. This guidance empowered me to develop the skills needed to address conflicts head-on, engage in those tough conversations with my team, and make critical decisions.

About the Dalai Lama Fellowship Program:

The Dalai Lama Fellows (DLF) program is a distinctive one-year leadership initiative tailored for emerging change-makers committed to effecting positive social change. This transformative program equips participants with the tools to cultivate self-awareness, resilience, and compassion through conscious practices. It also broadens cultural perspectives, hones efficacious engagement with intricate systems, and guides participants in grounding their endeavors within local communities in sustainable ways. Ultimately, DLF’s vision is to empower young social innovators to seamlessly integrate contemplative work and intentional personal transformation into their efforts to catalyze positive change within communities and the broader world.