By Kezia Royer-Burkett, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Burlington residents are embarking on a transformative journey to Mombasa, Kenya, through the Kutana Wema program, co-founded by local leaders Barbara Brown and Fareen Samji. This program offers participants a rare opportunity to engage deeply with the Wema Centre, a local non-governmental organization that has been empowering children and communities in Bamburi, Mombasa, since 1993.

The Kutana Wema program is intentionally designed as an educational experience rather than a mission trip, inviting participants to reflect on what it means to be a helper while dismantling potential colonizing impacts in their own lives. Participants must undergo preparatory coaching led by Barbara Brown, clinical director of Redbird Therapy Centre, ensuring they are equipped for a meaningful cross-cultural exchange. Brown, who has 35 years of experience as a registered psychotherapist, also facilitates daily integration sessions during the journey, helping participants process their experiences. “This program is an invitation to personal growth in the context of being a global citizen,” she shared.

Co-founder Fareen Samji, born and raised in Mombasa, brings her fluency in Swahili and a deep personal connection to the region. Her local knowledge and expertise in organizing trips ensure the program runs seamlessly. Samji and Brown’s combined leadership fosters true knowledge exchange, emphasizing mutual learning rather than “fixing.”

Under the leadership of Lucy Yinda, the Wema Centre has grown from caring for six street-connected girls to supporting over 500 children. It provides comprehensive care, including educational initiatives, healthcare, vocational training, and outreach programs — essentially fulfilling the role of a child welfare agency comparable to Children’s Aid Societies (CAS) in Canada but operating with a fraction of the funding.

Participants in the Kutana Wema program actively engage in the Centre’s work, including group and art therapy, street outreach, and daily interactions with children. This immersive experience challenges participants to grow while respecting the culture and context they enter. Shannon Tobin, CEO of Dare To Be Youth and a recent participant, reflected, “I return with a heart full of gratitude, a renewed sense of purpose, and an unwavering commitment to fostering meaningful impact.”

Some young Wema Centre participants with Kutana Wema participants, including Shannon Tobin (centre). Photo courtesy of Shannon Tobin.

The program also emphasizes broader community initiatives, such as sponsoring the Wema Centre soccer team, which competed against other teams in the region and emerged victorious. Sports have become a powerful medium to foster empowerment and unity among the children.

For participants like Tobin, the journey is as much about introspection as it is about connection. She described adopting the Kenyan phrase “pole pole” (meaning “slowly, slowly” in Swahili) as a guiding principle: “Go with the flow, let things unfold the way they’re supposed to.” This mindset has influenced her approach to life back in Burlington, encouraging a more relaxed and intentional pace.

Tobin’s connection to the Wema Centre didn’t end with her trip. She is now working on an initiative to provide refurbished laptops and smartphones to the Centre. This project aims to adapt the Dare to Be Youth financial literacy program for Kenyan students while fostering cross-cultural learning for youth in Halton. 

“The goal is to bring the laptops and smartphones to Kenya, to have them go through the financial literacy program, and tweak it so that it can be useful for the students in Kenya and the students here in Halton. Financial resilience and wellness are key,” Tobin explained.

For those interested in embarking on this life-changing experience, information sessions for the 2026 Kutana Wema program will be held on April 3 and May 17, 2025. These sessions, organized through Redbird Therapy, will explore how the program fosters connection, understanding, and shared learning between communities. The Kutana Wema program is a testament to the power of collaboration, cultural exchange, and the enduring commitment to making a meaningful impact. Bridging Burlington and Mombasa reminds us of the transformative potential of shared experiences and the importance of fostering relationships that transcend borders. More information is available on Redbird Therapy’s website.