04/05/2026
WHAT WE SEE...AND WHAT WE DON'T
Whenever we at eMentoring Africa hold mentorship events or bootcamps, we are happy when the room is full of laughter, talent and energy as the young people enjoy the activities of the day.
But as a mentor, I look beyond the visible, especially when we pose the question: “What holds you back?”
Then we feel the quiet in the room - the kind of silence that says more than words. Truth is, many young people carry things we don’t often see. Data shows that in Kenya today, 6 out of 10 young people report struggling with mental health challenges. Some studies show up to 30–37% of adolescents experience depression symptoms. Yet over 75% do not have access to care or support.
Yes, these same young people struggling often sit in rooms smiling and participating. But they are bottling up and holding things back.
As the month of May unfolds, I invite mentors to share realities of what they see during mentorship conversations. How do you prod deeper to identify the underlying issues?
Let us be the ‘safe space’ our young people are looking for.
If you are a mentor, parent, or young person…
Let’s walk together this May.
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