2024 Fellowship Seed Funding Recipient

Global Citizens Initiative is proud to recognize 2024 Fellow Aaron as the recipient of this year's "Glocal" Service Project (GSP) Seed Funding Opportunity.

Brushing Away Barriers is an art therapy program created to support students from Nairobi, Kenya. In partnership with Shining Hope for Communities (SHOFCO), the project currently reaches two schools and one community center, using individualized art therapy sessions to help students express themselves and share mental health concerns in non-traditional ways. By fostering creativity, emotional safety, and a sense of belonging, Brushing Away Barriers is building space for healing and community through the power of art.

Aaron says, "Over 70 kids from Kibera have been able to use art therapy to battle their inner struggles with mental health and open up to social workers and teachers about issues that would have otherwise never been brought to light. Brushing Away Barriers has become one of the most rewarding things I have ever gotten to do in my life, and I am just so thankful to GCI for awarding me the seed funding money so that I may continue to live out my passion and help communities that are so often overlooked by the outside world."

Aaron says, "With this seed funding grant, Brushing Away Barriers will be able to expand our operations to cover a much larger area of Kibera. The program will be able to host higher-quality art galleries that will allow students to show off the amazing work they have made over the course of the program and embed them with a sense of pride and accomplishment."

Throughout his Fellowship journey, Aaron benefited greatly from the guidance and support of his Mentor, Karishma Bhagani (2014 Fellow). Karishma's encouragement and thoughtful advice helped Aaron gain confidence and navigate challenges throughout the development of his project.

Karishma says, "Aaron and I have a special connection because we both had similar starting points in our educational journeys. I could not be more overjoyed when I learned that Aaron had been selected as a GCI Fellow. I noticed a big change in Aaron upon his return from the Summit. He had a bigger vision for his project and a conviction to make a long-lasting difference in the world. His grit and ambition are extremely inspiring and have really formed the bedrock of his success with his service project thus far."

The USD $1,000 Seed Funding Award is designed to support Fellows who have developed outstanding and feasible GSPs, along with a clear, thoughtful, and well-scoped plan for implementation. Aaron's project, Brushing Away Barriers, stood out for its clarity, impact, and potential to make long-lasting positive change in his community.