Would you like to travel the world? Do you enjoy a quiz? Would you like to make a significant difference to people with mental health issues? You can do all three with Kamili Organisation.
Founded over a decade ago by Melanie Blake, Kamili provides affordable mental health services via 30+ clinics across Kenya.
On the heels of commemorating World Mental Health Day on the 10th of October, Kamili has come up with an ingenious way of funding its noble services: a virtual world tour and treasure hunt!
Ok,  we can't globetrot amid this pandemic but we can still have some online fun with people all over the world.
Over 10 weeks, starting on Thursday 29th October, the secret quizmaster will be travelling round the world and keeping us updated on his journey. He'll  be travelling in his special Bubblecraft, which always flies in a straight line and can land anywhere.
At each point of his journey, he'll send us a short letter, making some observations about his stop-overs and asking us a few questions. We  will be able to send in our answers and he'll keep a record of who's been following him.
This should be a lot of fun and we will all no doubt learn a lot along the way. If you and your family would like to join in on the fun, you can form a team and even design a logo or have a mascot.
And, of course, you can make a contribution to Kamili Organisation and in doing so help people with mental health issues in Kenya.
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So what's in it for you?
At the end of the journey, he'll  ask a few final questions and if you have managed to answer the questions along the way, there may be a prize to be won. Remember, the main purpose is to raise funds for Kamili, so the more you raise the better the chances of winning, as your score will be multiplied by the amount raised.
Here's the link to The Round The World Treasure hunt: https://rtw2020kamili.wixsite.com/website
Melanie gave us some insights into founding Kamili, destigmatising mental illness in Kenya, her award from Queen Elizabeth, self-care and decompressing amid a pandemic.
On Founding Kamili
"I have a background in mental health care as a nurse. I had been living abroad for a number of years and returned home in 2006. I wanted to make use of my skills and knowledge so I volunteered for an organisation called Basic Needs, Basic Rights.
We set up two clinics in Kangemi and Lower Kabete. As these were not supported by the primary healthcare services, I decided to start my organisation (Kamili) in 2009 and registered it as an N.G.O. Robert and I set up the Family Challenge to help raise funds for mental health services. We've been training mental health nurses at our clinics for close to a decade now and we've deployed over 30 nurses throughout the country."
On Destigmatizing Mental Illness in Kenya
"We must overturn age-old beliefs surrounding mental illness. Kamili Organisation works hard to raise awareness on mental health issues in Kenya but our priority is providing care to patients and training nurses on managing mental illness".
On her Award from Queen Elizabeth
"In 2017 I accepted, on behalf of Kamili, a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II for services to Mental Health in Kenya".
 (Read more about Melanie's award here.)
On Self-Care and decompressing amid a Pandemic
"It's finding joy in the simplest of things. Find a work-life balance. My husband and I live in Gilgil where we walk the dogs, plant indigenous trees, look after the vegetable patches and generally keep busy. We love staying in touch with friends and family".
*Please consider donating to Kamili Organisation. Your donation will go a long way in supporting thousands of patients across the country in need of mental health care.

About The Author

Author
Maureen Kasuku

Maureen is our resident cat lady and Beyoncé stan. She writes about spas, brunch and ballet recitals but has never been to any. Moonlights as a social justice activist in her spare time. She knows things and is obnoxiously opinionated on the internet but not in real life

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