“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:
- Roots representing their origins.
- A trunk showing who they are now.
- Branches symbolizing their sources of support;
- And leaves capturing their dreams, talents, and hopes for the future.
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.