Our commitment to mentorship goes beyond technical skills—we believe in nurturing the whole person. This month, we resumed our structured mentorship sessions  at G-BIACK (Grow Biointensive Agriculture Centre of Kenya)with the guidance of Betty, our lead mentor, who also introduced a valuable addition to the mentorship team: Nickson Mugambi.

Nickson is a psychologist by profession and a passionate youth mentor affiliated with Shamri Institute, an organization specializing in mental health interventions for young people. He is not new to the Lift the Children (LTC) network—Nickson had already expressed his willingness to volunteer and submitted the required documentation through the LTC Volunteer Application process.

Building Self-Awareness: A Core Pillar of Growth

Nickson facilitated a powerful and interactive session focused on self-awareness, a continuation of the mentorship framework initiated earlier in the year. The session was crafted to help trainees understand their strengths, weaknesses, and personal values, and how these are all deeply tied to their life purpose.

Through hands-on activities and reflective discussions, the trainees explored how embracing their unique attributes could lead them to live more purposefully and confidently.

🧠 “True self-awareness is the first step towards living intentionally. When young people understand who they are and what drives them, they are more likely to set goals that align with their values and passions.” – Nickson Mugambi

Inside the Mentorship Experience

The self-awareness session was structured in a way that encouraged psychological safety, openness, and peer engagement. Here’s a brief walk-through of the day’s activities:

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💬 Welcome and Circle Agreements

The session kicked off with a warm welcome and the setting of ground rules that foster respect, confidentiality, and openness. These agreements set the tone for a safe space where trainees could share freely.

🎯 Icebreaker – Name & Strength Ball

In a light-hearted activity, each trainee introduced themselves and shared one strength. It was uplifting to hear affirmations like “I’m a good listener” or “I’m great at solving problems.” This simple exercise helped build a culture of positive reinforcement and recognition.

👫 Pair Activity – Strength Stories

Trainees were paired to share real-life stories where they had achieved something or helped others. Their partners then identified strengths demonstrated in these stories—many were surprised by how capable and gifted they truly are. It was a moment of self-discovery through another’s lens.

📚 Mini-Lecture – Strengths and Values Build Resilience

Nickson delivered a short but impactful talk, drawing from the Penn Resilience Program, linking personal strengths and core values to long-term resilience. Trainees reflected on times when their strengths helped them overcome tough situations, making the learning deeply personal.

📝 Values in Action Reflection

Each trainee selected a personal value and reflected on how they live it out—or how they could do so more intentionally. This exercise bridged the gap between beliefs and daily behavior and inspired action.

🎯 SMART Goals with Strengths

Building on the earlier goal-setting session, trainees crafted a new goal—this time integrating a personal strength with a core value. For instance, one trainee chose “creativity” as a strength and “compassion” as a value, setting a goal to create a weekly journal to uplift peers through kind words and artwork.

💬 Closing Circle – Affirmations and Takeaways

The session ended with a beautiful appreciation circle. Each participant named a value or strength they would carry forward. Words like “resilience,” “confidence,” and “empathy” echoed around the room—evidence of the session’s impact.

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Why This Matters

This mentorship session wasn’t just a one-off talk—it was part of an ongoing, thoughtfully structured mentorship journey. Each session builds upon the last. By tying this self-awareness session back to previous topics like goal setting, we ensure that trainees develop a continuous growth mindset.

Through partnerships with professionals like Nickson, we are equipping these young people not only with practical skills for work but also with the mental and emotional tools needed for life.

As G-BIACK continues this journey, we look forward to hosting more sessions that nurture purpose, inspire action, and empower every youth to become the best version of themselves.

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Stay tuned for more updates from our mentorship program as we continue to walk alongside our youth, building a generation of resilient, value-driven, and purpose-filled young leaders.