The Aya Initiative - July Edition

Della Adzadi
Jul 3, 2024
2 min read

Updated: Aug 13

Blossom Phase Recap

The Aya Initiative began with the Blossom Phase, our first quarter focused on fostering a sense of community, introducing program goals, and creating a supportive environment. The phase kicked off with a launch event at the KGL House, where participants engaged in bonding activities and listened to inspiring keynote speakers like Candybell Kensah. Following this, peer sessions were held to strengthen connections among participants and our team. Despite facing network connectivity issues, participants demonstrated remarkable resilience and commitment, actively engaging in sessions designed to help them set personal goals and understand the program's objectives.

Rollout of the Empower Phase

June marked the successful rollout of the second phase of the Aya Initiative: The Empower Phase. This phase aims to increase participants' awareness of mental health, emphasizing its importance and impact on overall well-being. We have curated workshops led by experienced mental health professionals, equipping participants with practical coping mechanisms, enhancing resilience, and improving psychological well-being. Additional activities and sessions focused on leadership and self-confidence building aim to help the ladies develop a holistic approach to well-being by addressing physical, emotional, and social aspects of their lives.

Corporate Grooming Etiquette Session

To kick off the Empower Phase, participants had the privilege of attending a session on corporate grooming etiquette led by our projects consultant, Candybell Kensah. Her comprehensive presentation covered self-care, personal branding, and building confidence through self-development. She also guided participants in discovering their body types and undertones, and how to stand out as confident women. The ladies were thrilled with this session and eagerly anticipate Part Two with Candybell.

Mental Health Workshops

The second mental health session with Stephanie Fleischer-Brock (MSc) was as insightful and engaging as the first. She began her workshop with an icebreaker to set a comfortable and relaxed tone. The session focused on trauma, emphasizing that it is a broad and subjective topic, with individuals responding differently to various situations. Stephanie guided the participants on how to deal with trauma and encouraged them to be supportive listeners, empathetic, and welcoming to others.

Confidence Building and Cultural Narratives

Other workshops included sessions with Nadine Pfeifer and Amma Gyamfowa. Nadine, a confidence expert and coach, returned to continue her session on building self-confidence as a leader, providing practical tasks to nurture this skill. The final mental health session for June was with Amma, a mental health therapist. This intimate and relatable session encouraged participants to reflect on and improve their self-care practices. Amma also challenged a cultural narrative that has negatively impacted young women for generations, particularly in African cultures (as shown below). By the end of the session, participants felt empowered to challenge these harmful narratives, seek support, and embrace healthier approaches to personal growth and resilience.

Looking Ahead...

We are thrilled about the lineup for July, and we are certain our participants are too. To stay updated on who our ladies will be meeting and other exciting news, visit our social media pages at @akayafoundation across all platforms.