Basic Needs Basic Rights Kenya Commemorates 20 Year Anniversary

 

What a day of pomp, excitement, and colour at Chesikaki in Bungoma County!

 

We are still buzzing with gratitude after an incredible celebration marking 20 Years of Impact for Basic Needs Basic Rights Kenya. Two decades ago, we started with a fundamental conviction: Mental Health is a Human Right. Celebrating this journey surrounded by the very vibrant culture, traditional dances, and energy of the community we serve made this milestone unforgettable.

 

This milestone does not belong to us alone. It belongs to everyone who walked this path with us:

 

🙏 To Our Founding Members: Thank you for your bold vision, courage, and dedication. You laid the groundwork 20 years ago when community mental health was barely on the global radar, transforming a simple idea into a life-changing movement. We were deeply honored to have our founders, join us in person to witness how the seed they planted has grown.

 

Basic Needs Basic Rights Kenya founding members (from L to R) Eng. Peter Maina – Founding Board Chairperson, Chris Underhill – Founder and Joyce King’ori – Founding Executive Director.

 

🤝 To Our Stakeholders and Partners: Thank you to our Board, staff, government representatives, funding partners, civil society organizations, and mental health advocates who showed up. Your collaborative spirit, resources, and shared belief in disability inclusion and rights-based mental health care are what make our work sustainable.

 

Stakeholders pose for a group photo at the conclusion of a breakfast meeting during the 20 years commemoration of Basic Needs Basic Rights Kenya.

 

To the Community and Lived-Experience Champions: You are the true heartbeat of Basic Needs Basic Rights Kenya. Thank you to the residents of Bungoma, our tireless caregivers, and our brave mental health champions who continue to shatter stigma, share their stories, and build resilient support networks. Seeing our youth and community members lead the festivities with such joy reminds us why we do what we do.

 

Community members present a traditional dance during the 20 years commemoration of Basic Needs Basic Rights Kenya operations in Kenya.

 

From a registered country office in 2005 to a leading national champion for community mental health, the progress is undeniable. But as we look to the next 20 years, we know our journey is just getting started. Let us keep turning awareness into action, expanding safe spaces, and restoring dignity for all.

 

Thank you for celebrating with us!