Engaging with mental health professionals and young people active in the field of mental health to equip them with training, resources and networks to ensure mental health is a priority in Eastern Africa.
The Challenge
Mental health conditions represent 16% of the global burden of disease and injury among young people aged 10-19, according to the World Health Organization. In Africa—the world’s youngest continent, with a median age of just 19.7—this challenge is especially pressing. Nearly 60% of Africa’s population is under 25, and more than a third falls within the 15-34 age range. In Sub-Saharan Africa alone, 1 in 7 adolescents is estimated to experience a mental health disorder.
Yet, access to mental health care remains extremely limited. Many African countries lack the facilities and professionals needed to meet growing demand. Rural communities face even greater barriers, as most specialized mental health services are concentrated in urban areas.
Innovative solutions and community-based approaches are emerging to help bridge this gap, but the need remains immense. With factors like climate change, environmental degradation, weak infrastructure, social and economic inequalities, conflict, and forced displacement all taking a toll on mental well-being, the demand for mental health support in Africa and beyond will only continue to rise. Addressing this crisis requires urgent action and investment.
“Mental health is an integral part of health; indeed, there is no health without mental health.”
World Health Organization
About the Sawa Project
The Kofi Annan Foundation, MCW Global and the Africa Alliance of YMCAs have joined forces to equip young mental health professionals, community organizers, and advocates in six countries in Eastern Africa with the skills, resources, and networks needed to drive change: Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Somalia, Tanzania and Uganda.
Through leadership training, advocacy support, and seed funding, we aim to empower young leaders to create impactful educational programs, awareness campaigns, and outreach initiatives that increase access to mental health services and break down stigma.
Project Goals
- Strengthen Leadership & Advocacy – Provide young mental health professionals and community organizers with skills in leadership, community engagement, and advocacy.
- Support Actionable Change – Equip participants with vision-planning skills to turn ideas into concrete initiatives.
- Build a Regional Network – Connect young professionals to foster collaboration and knowledge-sharing in the mental health space.
- Fund Grassroots Solutions – Support ten seed grant projects linked to mental health solutions in Eastern Africa.
- Influence Policy & Funding – Raise awareness among policymakers and funders about the potential of investing in youth-led mental health initiatives.
Young Leaders Conference
The Sawa Project will host a conference for young leaders, building on the unique model of the “Young Leaders Conferences” developed by MCW Global, which leverages leadership to solve region-specific issues through networking and guided discourse about community issues.
The model combines knowledge and experience in the specific field addressed (in this case, mental health) with training in leadership, project management, and community outreach, readying the young leaders to build actions and initiatives that will positively impact the awareness of mental health in the region, fight the stigmas attached to it, and offer effective solutions to provide care at the community level.
The Sawa Project Conference will welcome young people between the ages of 25-35 in Kenya from September 3-5.
“Any society that does not succeed in tapping into the energy and creativity of its youth will be left behind.”
Kofi Annan
Goals
The Sawa Project
30
Through the Young Leaders Conference, we will directly support 30 young people aged 25-35 from Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Somalia, Tanzania and Uganda.
We will select ten projects linked to mental health solutions in Eastern Africa to receive seed grants.
10
600+
Impacting over 600 people across Eastern Africa.
Investing in young leaders, the Sawa Project aims to strengthen community-led efforts to improve mental health awareness, services, and policies across Eastern Africa.
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Funder
The Sawa Project is Funded by Wellcome
Partners
The Sawa Project
MCW Global is a non-profit organization with a vision for communities around the world to achieve greater levels of education, improved health, and increased economic security. Its mission is to address communities’ pressing needs by empowering current leaders and readying leaders of tomorrow. MCW Global has a history of co-leading health-related projects, particularly in Tanzania, on oral health care. Founded in 1999, MCW Global is based in New York with affiliates in Rwanda, Tanzania, and Zambia.
The vision of the YMCAs in Africa is to empower young people for an African Renaissance. The Africa Alliance of YMCAs (AAMYCA) aspires to develop young people for the holistic transformation of their communities, nation and the continent. The AAYMCA Secretariat is an experienced, multi-disciplinary team providing institutional and technical support to National Movements in the areas of programme innovation and capacity development for good governance.
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