The Oasis Counselling and Wellness Centre

Project Progress Report

Oasis Counselling and Wellness CentreDiani Children's Village – Kwale County, Kenya

Reporting Period: Project Update (First 8 Months)

Executive Summary

The Oasis Counselling and Wellness Centre is an ongoing initiative of Diani Children's Village aimed at improving access to quality mental health and psychosocial support for children, families, caregivers, and the wider community in Kwale County. The Centre seeks to provide a safe, confidential, and nurturing environment where individuals can receive professional counselling, trauma recovery support, and wellness services.

The project has a fundraising goal of USD 15,000, of which USD 3,225 has been raised through the generous support of 27 donors, leaving USD 11,775 still required to fully establish and equip the Centre.

Despite not yet reaching the fundraising target, significant progress has been made. Diani Children's Village has already initiated counselling services through strategic partnerships with qualified professional counsellors who have generously volunteered their expertise while the Centre is being developed. These collaborations have enabled the project to begin making a meaningful impact even before completion.

Background

Mental health remains one of the most underserved areas of healthcare in Kwale County. Many children, parents, caregivers, and vulnerable families continue to experience emotional distress resulting from poverty, neglect, abuse, domestic conflict, grief, trauma, and social challenges.

Unfortunately, access to affordable professional counselling services remains limited, forcing many individuals to cope with emotional difficulties without adequate support.

Recognizing this growing need, Diani Children's Village initiated the Oasis Counselling and Wellness Centre to bridge this gap by offering professional psychological support and promoting emotional wellbeing for both children and adults within the community.

Project Goal

To establish a fully functional Counselling and Wellness Centre that provides accessible, professional, and holistic mental health services to children, families, caregivers, adoptive families, staff members, and the wider Kwale County community.

Progress Achieved

Although construction and full establishment of the Centre are still underway, the project has already recorded encouraging milestones.

1. Strategic Professional Partnerships

One of the project's greatest achievements has been the formation of partnerships with experienced and qualified professional counsellors who have joined Diani Children's Village in supporting its mental health mission.

These professionals have voluntarily dedicated their time and expertise by conducting counselling sessions while the Centre continues to be developed.

Their support has significantly strengthened the quality of psychosocial services currently available.

2. Counselling Support for Adoptive Families

The counselling team has continued to provide emotional preparation and psychosocial support for adoptive parents throughout the adoption journey.

These counselling sessions help prospective parents:

• Prepare emotionally for adoption

• Build healthy attachment with children

• Understand trauma-informed parenting

• Strengthen family relationships

• Navigate challenges during the transition process

This support has contributed positively towards creating stable and nurturing family environments for children.

3. Counselling for Children

Professional counselling has continued to support children residing at Diani Children's Village, particularly those who have experienced:

• Trauma

• Abuse

• Neglect

• Family separation

• Emotional and behavioural challenges

Through individual counselling, play-based interventions, and age-appropriate therapeutic support, children are developing healthier coping mechanisms, improved emotional regulation, and greater self-confidence.

4. Staff Wellness and Emotional Support

Recognising that caregivers and staff play a vital role in children's wellbeing, counselling sessions have also been extended to members of staff.

These sessions focus on:

• Managing workplace stress

• Preventing burnout

• Emotional resilience

• Self-care

• Professional wellbeing

Supporting staff members enhances the quality of care provided to children and contributes to a healthier working environment.

5. Community Mental Health Awareness

The project continues to advocate for greater awareness of mental health within the community.

Through counselling engagements and community interactions, more individuals are beginning to appreciate the importance of seeking psychological support and breaking the stigma surrounding mental health.

Current Challenges

While the project has made encouraging progress, several challenges continue to affect full implementation.

These include:

• Insufficient funds to complete the counselling facility.

• Limited counselling rooms for confidential therapy sessions.

• Need for counselling furniture and office equipment.

• Need for therapy materials for children, including play and art therapy resources.

• Limited funding for community outreach programmes.

• Need for additional counselling resources and operational support.

Completing the Centre remains a priority in order to expand services and reach many more vulnerable families throughout Kwale County.

Planned Activities

Once fully established, the Oasis Counselling and Wellness Centre will provide:

• Individual counselling

• Family therapy

• Marriage counselling

• Trauma recovery programmes

• Child psychotherapy

• Play therapy

• Art therapy

• Grief and bereavement counselling

• Youth empowerment sessions

• Parenting programmes

• Community mental health awareness workshops

• Group counselling sessions

• Staff wellness programmes

• Psychological assessments and referrals

The Centre will also serve as a training and collaboration hub for counsellors, social workers, community volunteers, and partner organisations committed to promoting mental wellbeing.

Expected Long-Term Impact

The Oasis Counselling and Wellness Centre is expected to create lasting positive change within Kwale County by strengthening emotional wellbeing and building healthier families.

The long-term outcomes include:

• Improved mental health among children, youth, and adults.

• Stronger family relationships and parenting capacity.

• Increased resilience among vulnerable families.

• Early identification and management of trauma and emotional challenges.

• Reduced stigma surrounding mental health.

• Better psychosocial support for adoptive families.

• Enhanced wellbeing of caregivers and frontline staff.

• Increased community awareness of mental health and emotional wellness.

• A sustainable counselling resource serving Diani and the wider Kwale County for many years.

Looking Ahead

Although the Centre is not yet fully operational, Diani Children's Village remains committed to completing this important initiative.

The continued support from donors, partners, volunteers, and professional counsellors has demonstrated the community's shared commitment to improving mental health and emotional wellbeing.

Additional funding will enable the completion of the counselling facility, procurement of essential equipment and therapeutic resources, and expansion of services to reach many more children, families, schools, and vulnerable members of the community.

The Oasis Counselling and Wellness Centre represents more than a building—it is an investment in healing, resilience, stronger families, and a healthier future for Kwale County.

Appreciation

Diani Children's Village sincerely appreciates every donor, partner, counsellor, volunteer, and well-wisher who has supported the Oasis Counselling and Wellness Centre.

Your generosity, professional expertise, and belief in the importance of mental health are already transforming lives. Together, we are creating a future where every child, every family, and every individual has access to compassionate, professional support and the opportunity to heal, grow, and thrive.

Links:

• http://www.dianichildrensvillage.org/