About Us
Promoting Mental Wellness in Communities in Kenya (PMWC-Ke) is a Community Based Organization (CBO) registered with the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection Services in Kenya -Certificate Nob05363.
PMWC-Ke is a non-sectarian, social innovation initiative, composed of a multi-disciplinary team of both professional counsellors and non-professional counsellors trained in lay counselling.
It was formed in 2021 by Kaye Alianda Mcilwaine (Founder) and a team of Mental Health Enthusiasts and is tasked with finding community-driven solutions to issues around mental wellness.
PMWC-Ke works from a preventative point of view and exists to bring about social change in an innovative way within the communities we serve and uses initiatives such as talks, workshops, training, sports, the arts and social media to connect with our target communities who are mainly the vulnerable and marginalized populations, such as children, the youth,elderly, and persons living with disabilities.
PMWC Members
Meet The Team
Kaye Alianda Mcilwaine
Founder & Chair
“When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves” (Viktor Frankl)
Qualifications
Bachelor of Education, Master of Arts (French) (Kenyan Trained)
Bachelor of Psychology, Master of Social Sciences (community Mental health) – (South Africa Trained)
Scope of Work and Areas of experience
Work with both children and adults: In practice since 2018 (South Africa & Kenya)
•Relationship difficulties (couples, family, inter-cultural relationships )
•Personal growth (Managing transitions, quarter and mid-life crisis, empty nest and retirement)
•Behavioral issues in adolescence
•Loss & grief
•After addiction Support
•Safety in schools (mental health awareness, campaign against bullying)
•Work place mental wellness (training & facilitation of employee wellness)
•Community mental health promotion
•Training on mental health matters
Approaches
Talk therapy/Cognitive approaches: draw from Person centered approach, Solution Focused therapy, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, psychoanalysis and Family systems theory.
Somatic/body-based therapies trained in: Trauma/Tension Release Exercises (TRE), Neurotherapy/neuro feedback (currently working under supervision)
Meditation and mindful practices.
Briefly about me
Empathic listener, firm yet approachable. I draw from skills developed over my professional training both as an educator and psychologist as well as from lived experiences within diverse global and cultural settings. I work collaboratively and less directively to arrive at practical solutions to challenges presented. I communicate effectively in English, French and Kiswahili Apart from private practice, I work within communities through a Community Based Organisation (Promoting Mental Wellness in Communities in Kenya) that I founded in 2021.
Professional Affiliations
1. C&P/P/0324/2023
2. Practice License No: C&P/P/0324/0033
3. KpsyA/AM/254/2021
Project Area Leaders
Louren Afandi
Advocacy
A professional Office administrator, fashion model and a mental health advocate.
I have 3 years of experience in mental health advocacy with PMWC, through which i have been able to champion mental health awareness campaigns, facilitate and co-facilitate mental health talks and support healing and resilience in the lives of young people in more than 30 schools in Nairobi and the so-rounding counties.
With the help and guidance of the other PMWC members, together we have aided the creation of compassionate and safe spaces where young people feel seen, supported and empowered to embrace their mental wellness and re-write their stories with hope.
‘’It’s okay to not be okay as long as you are not giving up.” – Karen A. Baquiran
Joseph Weche
Outreach
Joseph Weche is a passionate Mental Health Advocate and Counseling Psychologist (C&P/C/2244/2025) with a Diploma (Distinction) in Counseling Psychology. He has hands-on experience in school and community-based mental health outreach, suicide prevention, addiction counseling, and digital wellness, working with children, youth, and vulnerable groups to promote well-being and resilience.
He currently serves as the Project Area Leader for Outreach at PMWC-Ke and also applies his creativity as a graphic and web designer, using digital media for mental health advocacy.
A recovering alcoholic and survivor of suicidal ideation, Joseph uses his lived experience to inspire others toward healing and recovery. He aspires to become a Prevention, Addiction, and Recovery Therapist, committed to guiding individuals in their mental health and sobriety journeys.
Additional Trainings:
WHO World Mental Health Rights | Suicide Prevention First Aid | Lay Counseling | Anti-Bullying Interventions | Childhood Trauma & Digital Wellness | Meditation & Grounding | School Mental Health & Community Trauma Healing
“Depression and anxiety are among the most common mental health challenges faced by young people today. Together, let’s Look, Listen, Talk, and Take Action.”
“As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands—one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.” — Audrey Hepburn
Administrative Support
Osimbo Makuku
Secretary
A mental health enthusiast that supports a human rights approach to mental wellness. With decades of experience in mass media, I use my skills and knowledge, to enhance mental health awareness in our communities. All forms of physical activities and particularly; walking, and hiking always make me feel happier and more relaxed.
As Team Leader for our football-driven initiative FutaaKivyetu (football -our -way), we create safe spaces through football, where conversations about mental health and compassionate understanding lessens the stigma that surrounds the subject.
Dr. Maya Angelou: “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
Jayne Awinja
Treasurer
A mental wellness advocate, that journals to keep track of her feelings in addition to spending time in the outdoors by walking and hiking. Having served as a kindergarten teacher over the years, I observed that, some children are unable to express their feelings, and therefore, suffer in silence. To bridge this gap,together, we use the language of arts and crafts, to talk about and promote mental health awareness.
With a background in early childhood education.In my position as Treasurer, I continue to enhance my skills in accounts and records keeping, a crucial aspect of PMWC. My involvement in this organization has also steered me towards pursuing social work and community development, a course that will equip me with the knowledge on how to best provide mental health support to the vulnerable in communities in Kenya.
Our Story
How We Got Started
In 2021,Kaye Alianda Mcilwaine (Founder) and a team of Mental Health Enthusiasts founded Promoting Mental Wellness in Communities in Kenya.PMWC-ke is tasked with finding community-driven solutions to issues around mental wellness.
How We Work
PMWC-Ke works from a preventative point of view and exists to bring about social change in an innovative way within the communities we serve and uses initiatives such as talks, workshops, training, sports, the arts and social media to connect with our target communities who are mainly the vulnerable and marginalized populations, such as children, the youth,elderly, and persons living with disabilities.
Want to become a Member Today?
Want to become a member or start a Support Group or Mental Health Club at your institution?
Promoting Mental Health Wellness Since 2021
COMMUNITY REACH
kshs Raised
COUNTIES
So far we’ve Raised over kshs 1,200,000 to Promote Mental Health Wellness
We have been able to raise funds through various activities such as cycling ,walking and dancing ,donation and grants from supporters of Mental Health.
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