Our Founder's Story

I first came across the word "depression" during my sophomore psychology class, but by then, I was already deep in the struggle. It took me a long time—months, in fact—to fully grasp the monster I was up against. I found myself sleeping excessively, skipping showers, avoiding classes, and isolating myself from friends and family. It wasn't until nearly two years later that I finally identified what I was experiencing, and it took another whole year for me to muster the courage to ask for help. By that point, I was convinced I was just lazy, worthless, and a total failure.

It’s been a long journey learning that depression is a serious disease that can completely derail your life if you don’t get the right support. I often think about how different things might have been for me if I had recognized the signs earlier or had someone to lean on emotionally during those tough times.

What brought me to this dark place in my life?

At the age of 14, I found myself in a unique place when I got the chance to attend the prestigious Holderness School in New Hampshire. Here I was, a young girl from Kenya who had never set foot outside her home country, suddenly on a plane to the United States. To everyone looking in, it seemed like I was living the dream—studying at a renowned school in America and having the time of my life. I felt like I had no right to complain or express any frustrations, especially considering how rare such an opportunity was for someone from Kenya. I was in a state of constant gratitude, but what most people didn’t realize was that I was struggling internally. I was in a foreign land, trying to navigate my new life all on my own. As a black girl who had grown up in a place where everyone shared my skin color, I suddenly found myself in a predominantly white environment, attending a school with very few other black girls.

Back home, my family was falling apart; my parents filed for divorce soon after I left, and as the eldest child, I became the messenger between my parents, who were no longer on speaking terms. Divorce is never pretty, especially for children. It took a huge toll on me, yet I was expected to embrace this amazing experience, so I kept my struggles bottled up inside.

My saving grace came in the system Holderness had cultivated. It was such an inclusive, warm, constantly supportive system that I never once felt the void that was forming in my life. I was constantly surrounded by love and care, and through that, I managed to maintain a semblance of normalcy despite the underlying issues I was facing.

Transitioning to college, however, was a whole different ball game. That comforting network I had at Holderness vanished, and I started to unravel. The emotional baggage I had been suppressing began to surface, no one around me seemed to notice my struggles, and I felt profoundly isolated. I hit a low point.

Luckily for me, I found a wonderful group of women who rallied around me, providing the support I desperately needed until I could find my balance again.

There are certain moments in life that really shape who we are, and having the right support during those times can make all the difference. For me, three significant turning points stand out: moving to a new country alone at just 14, making the leap to college, and returning to Kenya after spending nearly a decade abroad.

Coming back to Kenya was particularly tough; it opened my eyes to the stark differences in dealing with depression in the US compared to Kenya. This made me wonder how many other young adults are facing similar struggles without anyone to lean on.

My own experiences have left a deep mark on me, but I know others have their own battles, whether it’s losing a loved one, adjusting to a new city, or simply navigating life’s challenges.

Mental health is all about community - sharing our stories, collective experiences to help each other heal. Over the course of the years, I have been blessed to meet like minded individuals, and there the creation of Baobab began.