b'T TR RO OP PE ER RN L 0 2 A U N N A 1 R 2 4 E V I T R A A T N V 1 R A I E 4 2 0 2 A R A N N U A LBy Buchi Onyegbule Owur, our Mombosa Associate; and I grew silent, allowing the Head of Africa Operations, N4 Africa words to sink in. Such breakthroughs proved to be a running theme throughout I felt like I was in this dark deploy the story exchange amongour engagements in the region. place with no lights whatsoever,her students, especially as her I attended exchanges with stu-and someone let a rope down intobackground was in guidance dents in Zanzibar, Dar es Salaam the hole and was gently pulling and counselling. and Nairobi, and listened to sto-me out into the light. You see, I had gone to Eastries of loss, fear, hope, pain, and Student, N4 AfricaAfrica with some hope, yet withjoy. Whatever the story though, a healthy amount of trepidationyou could see plainly the feelings This is perhaps the most profoundas to whether or not the studentsof relief, of bonds being created ByJames Lawlor, PhDfeedback Id received from awould receive the concept of theand more meaningful relation-student who had gone through ourstory exchange favourably. Youngships being nurtured.Regional Director, Narrative 4 Irelandstory exchange session. And evenpeople in this part of the worldThis year we set up the Trash more amazing, I received it from aarent particularly used to beingto Treasure Center in Port Eliz-place I didnt expectMombasa. encouraged to share, to air, andabeth South Africa, a fantastic One of the highlights of workingschools so that more young peopleThe Empathy School AwardIt was during our tour of Eastto be heard. Outside of my nativeproject that aims to aid with with Narrative 4 (N4) is receivingcan gain the benefits of the pro- recognises post-primary schoolsAfrica, where we introducedNigeria, I had never been involveddignity and teach sustainability feedback from the young peo- gramme. At the end of 2020, wethat foster an environment ofNarrative 4 (N4) to four cities inin a story exchange that was within an underserved community. ple who have taken part in thehad trained staff in 19% of second- empathy, lead with kindness,Kenya (Nairobi and Mombasa) andprimarily students.We also piloted and kicked off programme. The most commonary schools in Ireland; school staffand cultivate connection andTanzania (Dar es Salaam and Zan- But I neednt have worried,our Hold My Hands mentorship feedback is I feel heard or Ilearned how to facilitate the N4understanding in their studentszibar). Two days after our facilita- because the students took to itprogram in Nigeria. Yet, it was in feel more connected. At a timestory exchange and other empa- and staff. There are three typestor training in Mombasa, I went tolike ducks to water. The energy,East Africa that I fully came to when everyone is talking on socialthy education units. At the end ofof awards for post-primaryBaptist High School in the city tothe willingness, and the open- understand the power and pos-media, the N4 empathy education2021, we increased our presenceschools: Bronze, Silver, and Gold.attend the first N4 story exchangeness, was so inspiring. During thesibilities inherent to N4s work. programme teaches young peoplein Irelands secondary schools toWe look forward to working within Kenya and East Africa at large.reflection, post the exchange inAnd more importantly, I realized to deeply listen, to connect, and 35%, and by the end of next year,schools as we scale and bring ourThe principal of the school, Ms.Mombasa, a student shared thejust how much Africa is becom-to see each other in new ways.we aim to reach 50%.programmes to thousands moreMillicent Omondi, had been a partprofound feedback quoted above.ing a real home for N4. These are skills that they bring This year, welaunched a newyoung people in 2022. of the training and was excited toThe students principal; Rose into adulthood.initiative: The Narrative 4 Empathy We want to bring N4 to moreSchool Award.I felt like I was in this dark place with no lights whatsoever, and someone I think our class got closer after the story exchange, and I can talkhad let a rope down into the hole and was gently pulling to more people now.STUDENT, N4 IRELAND me out into the light. STUDENT, N4 AFRICA20 21'