Why Hakeem’s Space?

It would be hard to tell you or talk about Hakeem’s space before I tell you about our amazing son Hakeem.
Hakeem’s Space started in July, 2020 as a feeding program, a few months after the tragic loss of our only beloved son Hakeem Nzimbi Aquil.
Hakeem passed away on January 4th, 2020. He was only 21 years old. He succumbed to his struggle with Mental illness.
When Hakeem died a part of me died as well. My life would be forever changed. I would begin my quest to understand mental illnesses and finding ways to end the stigma by changing and saving other lives by sharing my story.
My story is finding Purpose in my deep pain.
My story is saving lives and giving hope where there is no hope.
There is still so much to learn and understand on Mental illness that weighs down so heavily and delays in our youth asking for help.
What started here in Tassia as a feeding program has now turned into a mental health awareness program. Experiences were shared by our youth that were struggling with mental health breakdowns. I felt the need to have a a safe place where both young men and women could come and get professional counseling and help. In memory of my son, I called it Hakeem’s Space. A safe space for our youth in the community.
10 acres of land in Laikipia, Kenya was recently donated to Beyond the Vision initiative community school in Tassia, Kenya by Tafaria Castle & Center for the Arts for the expansion of the school. It will be called a Happy place.
I am excited to be a part of this expansion and to be able to offer a wellness center which will be a safe space for our youth.
Hakeem’s space wellness center will offer Psychological support, life skills, mentorship and spiritual nourishment.
Working closely with Jackline Musyoka the founder of Beyond the vision initiative has been a huge success in creating positive mental health awareness for our youth.
I am now left to tell Hakeem’s story and let others know it’s okay to not be okay. Please speak up! Your voice is heard, there is hope and whatever you are going through…it’s temporary! Please Get help! Parents educate your selves on mental health. Communities come together. Pray together.
They say it takes a Village to raise a child. Let’s all come together and make a difference