“Writing” Change into Kenyan Lives by Sven Olson

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

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Dear Friends,

Every student learned the “Parable of the Pencil” and how we can leave our best mark on the world when we put our lives into God’s hands. “Shujaa” is Swahili for “HERO”

The 2025 “Trauma Healing Camp” proved to be a tremendous positive experience for the selected students as they were given experiential opportunities to become the “SHUJAA” in their own life story. From balancing on balloons to learning how we are all “connected”, students learned to count on each other and their support teams at their respective schools to begin to write the next chapter in their own life stories. OBI team member and Adjunct Professor at Grand Canyon University, Professor Sveno Olson, shared with each group of children the “Parable of the Pencil.” The most important part of any pencil is what’s on the inside, just as the gifts and talents inside each child are most powerful when they can be used by God for His work. Upon completion of the six different experiential activities, each student received their “SHUJAA” pencil… coated with heat-sensitive paint that changes colors when held in their hands, a metaphor for the positive change that God can make in each of our lives.

Mental Health Conference

Olive Branch International is making national mental health impacts across the entire country of Kenya through the third annual “Mental Health Conference” in Nairobi. A guiding scripture for this mission trip was Jeremiah 29:11 and how God’s plan for our lives is always so much better than what we can imagine for ourselves. This year’s trip to Kenya exemplified this in many ways as your OBI team empowered pastors, teachers, social workers, counselors, and students, both in the slums of Nairobi and to the remote villages in western and northern Kenya.

In partnership with Missions of Hope International (MOHI), an OBI teaching team from Arizona was able to present mental health coursework on child psychology, parenting, addictions, and Biblical counseling. This year’s training builds on the previous year’s teachings on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Post Traumatic Growth, and children’s brain development. New in 2025 is online content augmenting the conference training through the development of short online video courses (with supporting reference materials) that are available free globally to OBI partners.

Case Management:

Dr’s Jeff and Nancy Jernigan once again teamed up with MOHI social workers and school counselors from across Kenya to provide deep and powerful case management consulting. Teams from the school brought their most challenging cases to the group for discussion and collaboration on strategies to help both the children and their families overcome some of the most traumatic experiences and learn to thrive in the educational opportunities that MOHI provides.

Planning for the 2026 conferences has already begun with a goal to reach more adults through the Training of Trainers model and expand the scope and reach of the “Trauma Healing Camp” for many children as well.

To continue this amazing work in Kenya, writing into the lives of literally tens of thousands of children and families across the entire nation, we need your continued support. Please consider your donations to OBI mental health projects in Kenya by designating your next donation with key word “Kenya”.

Blessings,

Sven, “Sveno” Olson

Board Member /Adjunct Professor