Activities

For children in the justice system, the concept of home can often feel like a distant memory. Life inside the remand home can be a time of great uncertainty, where the weight of past experiences often goes unspoken.

For children in the justice system, the concept of “home” can often feel like a distant memory or a fractured promise.

For children in the justice system, the concept of “home” can often feel like a distant memory or a fractured promise.

Under the theme “Reuniting Families and Strengthening Bonds,” the 3rd edition of the Okiri Festival transformed a detention facility into a place of connection.

For children and young people navigating difficult circumstances, managing strong emotions can be one of the toughest challenges they face. At the Kisumu Children’s Remand Home, the Okiri program is working to ensure that every young person has the right to develop essential life skills, providing a pathway to resilience and a brighter future. During our weekly sessions at the remand home, we led a session on Anger Management for the young individuals at the centre. The session was focused on a core objective of  helping them recognize, understand, and express anger in healthy, non-violent ways. Anger is a natural emotion, but our response to it can change the course of a life. The session was designed to demystify anger, moving the young participants past the misconception that it is “always bad”.  We introduced them to the Anger Thermometer, a visual tool that helped the young individuals map their emotional journey from calm → irritated → angry → furious. This exercise was crucial for raising awareness about how they perceive themselves when angry, and equally important, how others perceive them in that state. We also explored personal triggers and the physical warning signs that anger is building, and how the youth can intervene before an outburst. The session stressed the importance of practicing these alternative regulation strategies, reminding them that decisions made in anger can lead to situations that cause great harm, sometimes leading to outcomes like assault. Protection Through Preparation We believe that providing young individuals with psycho-social support equips them to safeguard themselves and others from harm. For young individuals in conflict with the law, the ability to manage conflict non-violently is a fundamental step toward rehabilitation and successful re-integration into their communities.The Okiri program is committed to fostering an environment where young people can focus on their future by developing their emotional resilience. When children have the right tools to navigate their feelings, they are better able to learn, grow, and thrive.

Raise your hand if you have ever compared yourself to somebody else and felt you were not good enough.” The session began with this simple question. In the quiet that followed, nearly every hand of the individuals at the session went up. That shared moment of vulnerability was the foundation for a powerful conversation about a topic that touches us all: self-esteem. In a world of constant updates and digital highlights, it is easy for young people to fall into the comparison trap. Success feels public, while struggles feel private. Self-worth can become dangerously tied to external achievements, leaving confidence fragile. We believe that true empowerment is about building the internal resilience to navigate the world with a strong sense of self. Creating a Space for Affirmation To counter this, our session was designed to shift the focus from external validation to internal strength. We moved beyond theory and into practice with activities that encouraged participants to see themselves and their peers in a new light. One of our core exercises was a simple circle of affirmation. A piece of paper was passed around, and on it, each participant wrote a positive quality about the person whose name was at the top. When the writings were read aloud, the space filled with quiet smiles, surprised laughter, and profound moments of recognition. For many, it was the first time they had ever heard some of the positive words written about themselves. The Power of Being Seen We asked two guiding questions: “What is something you usually don’t see in yourself?” and “What compliment are you taking home with you today?” The answers were moving. A young man was surprised that people found him funny and a source of joy. A young woman shared that she is sometimes nervous, her peers see this as a calm presence. This beautiful moment showed how a perceived weakness can be a hidden strength. By the end of the session, the atmosphere had transformed. The room felt lighter, not just because of the compliments shared, but because of the permission everyone had been given to see their own inherent value. More Than Digital Skills Our mission through Okiri is to provide holistic support that equips young people with the confidence, sense of belonging, and self-belief they need to thrive. Building self-esteem is a critical pillar of this work. It is about helping each individual recognize their unique potential and step forward with courage, both online and off. This session was a small but meaningful step on that journey. It served as reminder that when we create an environment where young people feel truly seen and valued by others, they can finally begin to see and value themselves.

At the Second Okiri Festival, held at the Kisumu Children’s Remand Home, we set out to challenge that narrative through art, empathy, and human connection. The theme, “Art as a Path of Belonging and Becoming,” underscored the power of creative expression to help young people reclaim agency over their identities and stories. A Day of Joy, Expression, and Connection The day began in a spirit of joy and inclusion, with games that brought together children, guests, and staff. Soon after, the children took the stage. They performed a poem and dance, inviting the audience into their world with words of expression. Among the most memorable performances came from Bafrano, a local Kisumu-based artist picked up his guitar. In a spontaneous and moving moment, he invited both children and guests to sing with him, turning the performance into a collective song of solidarity. His music created a shared rhythm — one that reminded everyone in the space that healing can begin with a single chord. Moments That Matter The festival was not only about art, it was about connection. After a shared lunch lovingly prepared by some of the participant, guests were invited to sit down for conversations with the children. These moments were gentle, reflective, and real, a chance to listen without judgment, and speak without fear. “I brought my younger brother to interact with the children at the remand because we are not only creating impact inside here, but also to the people outside.”— Esther, Participant Painting a Future Together, Starting a Legacy One of the most profound moments of the day came as paint met wall. In a collaborative mural project, the youth, supported by local artists, created a visual story of resilience, identity, and hope. Guided by local artists Sejo and Movin, and supported by peers, the youth created a lasting visual story, one that will remain long after as what began as a plain concrete wall slowly transformed into a burst of color; hands, symbols, and scenes of transformation. The mural now lives inside the remand home, a daily reminder that growth is possible, that stories can be rewritten, and that beauty can grow even in unlikely places. Each brushstroke carried a message: that each child matters, that their story is not over, and that what they create today can reshape what they believe about tomorrow. “I enjoyed painting the wall. My hand print on this wall says I was here and my story has changed.”— Mike (not his real name), a boy at Kisumu Children’s Remand Home Why It Matters Okiri Festivals remind us what justice can look like when it is rooted in care and participation. It is about belonging. It is about giving young people a path to becoming more than what the world expects of them. It is in these moments of music, conversation, paint, and poetry that we see what is possible when communities come together with empathy. Special thanks to the children and management of Kisumu Children’s Remand Home, Dero Arts, Ravel Works Africa, The Rotaract Club of Kisumu Winam, Parenting With Purpose, Jijenge Youth Organization, Homeless of Kisumu, to our dedicated volunteers, artists, facilitators, and to everyone who made this festival possible. Because these children deserve more than a second chance. They deserve to be seen.

In spaces where routine can often feel heavy, movement becomes something more than physical. It becomes a way to connect, to release, and to remember what it feels like to simply be a child again. Under the theme “Together We Play, Together We Grow,” we led a movement based activity session that invited children to move freely. The warm up was light and filled with laughter, stretch your head, move your shoulders and let your hands move freely. Then came Mingle Mingle, a game of quick movement and playful switching that brought smiles as the young individuals formed groupings at every shout. The energy shifted from shy to spirited in a matter of minutes. From there, we transitioned into mind games and team based activities. These were not just challenges of memory or coordination, they were invitations to cooperate, to lead, to listen, and to laugh. Watching the children navigate each game, you could see barriers slowly begin to dissolve. They strategized together, encouraged one another, and shared small victories like they were big ones. The cheering and come back wins all brought out a kind of joyful intensity we had not seen in a while. We closed the session with another round of physical exercises and a circle debrief. As children reflected, favorite games were named and teammates celebrated. But more importantly, feelings were named; stress released, minds refreshed, bodies energized. And in that circle, surrounded by peers and facilitators, they were reminded that their stories continue, not defined by where they are now, but by who they are becoming. At Soulevement, through our Okiri program, we believe healing comes in many forms. Sometimes it is through art. Sometimes through quiet conversation. And sometimes, it is through play. A heartfelt thank you to our incredible facilitators; Victor Bush, Ivy Odundo, Maurice Okoth, Threya Silim, Anne Alila, Bonaventure Owano, Diana Achieng’, and Marvin Otieno, for leading with energy, care, and purpose. We are also deeply grateful to the dedicated staff at Kisumu Children’s Remand Home for their ongoing support and partnership. Together, you make these moments of joy and healing possible.

Every week at Kisumu Children’s Remand Home, we create spaces where the young individuals can reflect, express themselves, and take a break from routine. These sessions are not only about learning; they are also about feeling seen, safe, and free. This week, dancer and wellness facilitator Flevia Vivian joined us for a physical development session. She came with one simple request for the children, “Have fun.” The session began with breathing exercises, a chance for the children to slow down and focus on the present. Then came warm up stretches to help loosen up the body. There was no pressure to get the steps right, it was all about enjoying the rhythm and listening to their own bodies. Some of the young individuals jumped in right away with big smiles. Others took their time; moving quietly, watching, and choosing how they wanted to join. Each child found their own way to take part. Kisumu Children’s Remand Home continues to provide structure, safety, and care for children as they navigate different life experiences. Sessions like this one are a way to build on that support offering moments of creativity, freedom and emotional connection. For many children, movement became a way to release stress, to explore how they were feeling, and to connect with themselves and each other in new ways. Sometimes, a quiet stretch or a simple dance step says more than words can. To close the session, the children sat down together for a gentle cool down, returning to steady breathing as a way to relax and ground themselves. At Soulevement, we believe healing doesn’t only happen through talking. It can also happen through movement, breath, and joy. Every child deserves to feel strong in their body and hopeful about what’s ahead.

“It feels like my life is windy… like everything is being blown away,” one child shared during a psychosocial session at the Kisumu Children’s Remand Home. His drawing showed gusts of wind sweeping through a dark sky. For him, this was not just art; it was his way of explaining the storm inside. Many of the children at the Kisumu Children’s Remand Home are carrying deep emotional scars. Some of them have been through loss, conflict, and hardship. Some are still reeling from the trauma of what they have seen or experienced. Others are struggling with identity, self-worth, or simply trying to make sense of why they are here. But in this session, they were given something precious; a safe space to reflect and feel. As part of the session, the children participated in The Weather Inside Me ; a creative activity that allowed them to express how they were feeling using weather patterns. With crayons and blank paper, they drew suns, clouds, storms, and wind to represent their emotional states. For some, the drawings revealed sadness, fear, or confusion. Others showed a mix of hope and uncertainty. This simple but meaningful activity gave the children a way to process emotions that are often difficult to articulate. It also helped them reflect on what had contributed to their current “weather,” and what kind of emotional state they wished for in the days ahead. The next activity, invited the children to explore their identity and internal resources. Each child drew a tree with: Some children filled in each part with ease, while others took more time; especially when reflecting on who they are today or identifying personal strengths. A few shared their trees with the group, while others chose to keep theirs private. In both cases, the process of creating the tree helped them reconnect with their own stories and imagine the possibility of growth. For children facing the uncertainty and isolation that often come with time in a remand home, these activities offered more than just an outlet. They provided validation, structure, and the quiet reminder that even in difficult circumstances, their lives still hold meaning and their stories are still unfolding. Even when the skies inside feel cloudy or the wind feels strong, these young people are learning that they still have roots, they still have dreams, and they still have the capacity to grow. Through our program Okiri, Soulevement is working to ensure that spaces like these are not rare, but regular. By delivering creative, trauma-informed psychosocial support in children’s care institutions, the program is helping young people build emotional resilience, rediscover their self-worth, and reconnect with hope.