Nearly 50% of the population of Kenya is under the age of 18.  60% under the age of 25, and 70% under the age of 30.  This is obvious in every community we work in.  The creative potential of every young person is palpable.  And those young people are seeking meaningful connections to adult anchors.

Derek Peterson developed the Web Of Support in remote communities in Alaska, but the concept is universal.  Our work is to make the invisible, known to young people and adults, so that the gifts and talents can be nurtured while reducing risk factors of drug and alcohol use, teen pregnancy, suicide and homelessness.

“Every child needs a web of support to flourish”

– Derek Peterson, Kalos Eidos Foundation

Over the course of three weeks we co-facilitated 14 workshops with young people, university students, future educators and Rotaract Clubs.  Each workshop explored different aspects of the Web of Support: the importance of adult anchors who are Authentic, Competent and Empathetic, what it means to catch both tangible and intangible strings from our anchors, and how to grow our resilience from our gifts and talents.  

As we illustrated the strength of a web, a courageous young mother trusted the anchors in the room to rest her son, Fidel on the web that had been woven that morning.  Each of those anchors was supported by 5 anchors, with hands on their shoulders.  And 5 more anchors stepped in to place their hands on the shoulders of the anchors of anchors.  We had quickly demonstrated the power and resilience of a collective community.  Each of us was there for Fidel and for each other.