When Krista McCowen talks about healing, she emphasizes the importance of community. “Healing doesn’t happen in isolation,” she says. This belief shapes her nonprofit, Ubuntu Wellness, which aims to provide mental health care in underserved areas, starting with Rwanda.
Launched in June, Ubuntu Wellness is already gearing up for its first service trip to Rwanda in January. For McCowen, this work has been years in the making. With a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling, she’s passionate about service and cross-cultural work. Her experiences began as a child with mission trips and later led her to Rwanda, where she understood the urgent need for mental health support.
Rwanda has over 13 million people and a very limited mental health care infrastructure. McCowen has observed that the country has a few psychologists and only one child psychiatrist, leading to significant gaps in care. The impacts of past trauma from events like the 1994 genocide still weigh heavily on many, with little access to help.
The name “Ubuntu” comes from an African philosophy meaning “I am because we are.” This underscores the nonprofit’s mission of collective healing. Instead of imposing outside solutions, Ubuntu Wellness collaborates with local leaders and organizations to create culturally relevant mental health programs.
McCowen leads a small team, including Joel Ndatimana, Ubuntu’s vice president, who lives in Rwanda. His insights are crucial for ensuring that their programs are respectful of local culture. Another team member, Katlyn Moonan, is a licensed social worker from Midland.
Their first trip in January will focus on delivering mental health training and direct services, while their long-term goal includes launching youth mental health clubs in schools. These clubs will teach students about stress, anxiety, and emotional health over a 10-week curriculum.
Beyond therapy, Ubuntu Wellness supports women-led initiatives that provide education and job training. For example, they are helping fund reusable menstrual health kits and education on reproductive health, both vital for improving women’s roles in the community.
Despite being a small organization, Ubuntu Wellness has big plans. Their fundraising goal for their upcoming trip is $6,000, which will help cover expenses and support new initiatives.
While Ubuntu Wellness works across continents, McCowen remains connected to her roots in Midland, where community support has been instrumental. She admires the generosity she sees at home and believes it fuels the nonprofit’s mission.
As Ubuntu Wellness prepares for its first trip, McCowen is aware of the challenges ahead. “The needs are vast, but we can tackle them together,” she states. For more information, visit Ubuntu Wellness.
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