“Train yourself toward solidarity and not charity. You are no one’s savior. You are a mutual partner in the pursuit of freedom.”
who we are.
Obembere: Luo word for interconnectedness.
We are all deeply connected—the wellbeing of one is intimately tied to the wellbeing of all.
Our Mission
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We are a nonprofit organization dedicated to making mind and body wellness accessible to marginalized communities in Kenya. Guided by the Lovingkindness mindset of unconditional compassion and open-heartedness, we are deeply rooted in the belief that the well-being of one is intrinsically tied to the well-being of all. At the heart of our mission is the recognition of our profound interconnectedness. By breaking down barriers of separateness, we aim to dismantle systems that perpetuate suffering and inequality. Lovingkindness Global Alliance seeks to embody reparative justice, redirecting unearned privileges and resources from the West to create inclusive spaces for healing and empowerment in communities that have borne the weight of oppression to sustain the privileges of our own society. Our approach is grounded in partnership, mutual respect, and shared learning, intentionally avoiding the pitfalls of a "white savior" framework. Instead, we work in solidarity with grassroots organizations, empowering local leaders to foster sustainable opportunities for healing, transformative change, and collective growth. By fostering wellness and honoring dignity, we uplift our shared humanity and nurture a culture rooted in empathy, inclusion, and kindness. Lovingkindness Global Alliance is more than an organization—we are bridge builders, committed to healing divisions and nurturing a world rooted in compassion, understanding, and connection.
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No White Saviors: We remain conscious of the trauma and harm caused by colonial, missionary, and slavery histories, which continue to impact communities today. We acknowledge that there are ways in which we have benefited from systems of oppression, and we seek to leverage these privileges in pursuit of a more equitable and conscious world. We are committed to ongoing education, accountability, and action to undo these legacies and their lasting inequities. This organization seeks to be a form of reparative justice, working to address historical harms and contribute to building a more just and equitable future.
Trauma-Informed Approach: We prioritize creating safe, welcoming spaces for everyone, regardless of gender, sexuality, or background.
Inclusive Volunteering: Volunteers of ALL backgrounds are welcomed and educated on systems of oppression, empowering them to support others effectively.
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Empathy, unconditional goodwill, radical kindness, integrity, and inclusion are the core values driving our work.
Solidarity, Not Charity: We emphasize partnership, respect, and mutual learning to avoid the pitfalls of a "white savior" approach.
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While we are currently rooted in Kenya, our vision is to expand globally as we grow. We are proud to already be making connections in other parts of the world, building relationships that we hope to strengthen and expand upon in the future. Together, we aim to make wellness accessible to communities living under extreme opression and contribute to a more just, compassionate world.
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Lovingkindness is a mental state of unconditional compassion and open heartedness. It is the guiding principle that shapes everything we do. At the core of Lovingkindness Global Alliance’s mission is the belief that lovingkindness is not just an act, but a way of being — one that connects us all in our shared humanity, helping us build a more just, compassionate world. Practicing lovingkindness fosters empathy, inclusion, & respect. Lovingkindness Meditation, also known as Metta, is a practice that encourages us to cultivate compassion for ourselves and others. In this meditation, practitioners focus on mentally sending love, kindness, and goodwill first to themselves, and then to others. This practice helps strengthen our sense of empathy and interconnectedness, creating a deep sense of peace, openness, and compassion that extends to everyone around us. Scientific research has found that regularly practicing meta meditation activates and strengthens areas of the brain responsible for empathy and emotional intelligence. At LKGA, we integrate this meditative practice into our work, encouraging both our team and volunteers to cultivate lovingkindness in their hearts and actions, fostering deeper connection and positive change.Through this approach, we hope to create a ripple effect of healing, understanding, and positive transformation that extends far beyond our immediate work. At LKGA, we believe in the transformative power of lovingkindness.
May all beings be safe & free from danger. May all beings be free. May all beings have mental & physical happiness. May all beings be at ease.
May all beings be safe & free from danger. May all beings be free. May all beings have mental & physical happiness. May all beings be at ease.
What We Do
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Through solidarity and shared purpose, we emphasize collaboration and collective responsibility. We support, uplift, and empower grassroots changemakers already fighting for their communities. By connecting these organizations to resources and people, we help to expand their impact.
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We run various programs in Kenya aimed at healing marginalized communities and advancing their liberation. These initiatives serve women, teachers, the LGBTQ+ community, and those living in extreme poverty.
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Mind and body wellness should be a human right, not a privilege of the wealthy. We bring mental health care and wellness resources to those living under oppression.
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We connect individuals in need of financial support with those who have resources to share. By leveraging unearned privileges, we aim to uplift communities, regardless of their place of birth, race, gender, or sexuality.
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We offer opportunities for passionate individuals to connect with and learn from marginalized communities in Kenya through meaningful cultural exchange. Volunteers gain firsthand experience, build lifelong relationships, and contribute in a respectful, trauma-informed, and inclusive manner. We are conscious and careful not to perpetuate white saviorism, emphasizing mutual respect and collaboration, and educating ourselves and our volunteers on how to ensure the experience is mutually beneficial for all involved. We celebrate diversity among volunteers, welcoming individuals of all races, genders, and sexualities.
Meet Our Team
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Healing Justice Practicioner
Achieng (they/them) is a nonbinary, Kenyan-based licensed psychotherapist, art therapist, energy healing practitioner, yoga teacher, and multi-disciplinary artist. They are the founder of Queer Wellness Circle, a monthly community gathering dedicated to making mind and body wellness resources accessible to queer people in Nairobi. They also work with their Kibera community where they facilitate yoga and meditation classes. Achieng is also the founder of Under The Shade Therapy, a queer therapist-owned therapy center in Nairobi. The center offers a diverse range holistic care, including ancestral healing practices, all provided by licensed therapists. Achieng is deeply committed to bringing mental wellness, healing and empowerment to Kenya's LGBTQ+ community, which faces extreme oppression and marginalization. LKGA stands in solidarity with Achieng’s work, actively supporting and uplifting the vital healing they are providing on the ground.
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School Principal & Community Activist
Jacky (she/her) is the founder of Kenya Voluntary Community Development Project, a grassroots, community-led organization that has accomplished a remarkable range of initiatives. Her vision and unwavering determination brought LKGA to Kenya in 2011 & has inspired us for over a decade. As a hardworking mother of five who grew up in poverty with limited resources and opportunities, Jacky has devoted her life to giving back & transforming the community she was born and raised in. Through her efforts, Jacky has created opportunities for a better life, provided access to education and opportunities that would have otherwise been out of reach, generated employment, and uplifted the entire village she serves. As the principal of Wagusu Complex Academy, Jacky leads a team of dedicated teachers and staff, all working together to create a brighter future for their students. LKGA works closely with the school and is committed to making mind and body wellness resources accessible to the school staff, recognizing that the well-being of educators is crucial to the success of their students. Her profound impact continues to ripple outwards, transforming lives and shaping a future full of possibility.
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Change-maker & Human Rights Activist
Kun (they/them) is a registered nurse and the Executive Director of Equal Voices, a grassroots organization based in rural Kenya. Kun is on the front lines of the fight for justice. They are dedicated to creating safe, inclusive spaces for youth, particularly those from sexual and gender minorities. Kun is committed to challenging societal norms and dismantling stereotypes that marginalize these communities, advocating for their rights and inclusion. A firm believer in the transformative power of art and storytelling, Kun works to shift discriminatory community narratives, aiming to foster radical acceptance and safety for all. With their background as both a nurse and a queer person, Kun is committed to making wellness accessible to vulnerable groups. In partnership with Kun, we are dedicated to providing mental wellness gatherings for the LGBTQ+ community in rural Kenya. Through mutual aid and shared purpose, we work alongside inspiring individuals like Kun, who are leading the way toward a more inclusive, compassionate future.
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Founder & President
While earning her degree in biomedical science, Shelby (she/they) founded the organization in 2011. Since then she has made Kenya her second home, deepening her commitment to global social justice. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community & a mental health advocate, she is deeply committed to making mind and body wellness accessible to marginalized communities. Being raised by a family of teachers in rural Texas has been an integral part of her journey, inspiring her work. Shelby is dedicated to educating individuals on how to recognize and leverage their unearned privileges, while actively challenging and deconstructing the systems that perpetuate inequality and oppression. In addition, she is passionate about building bridges between those who have unknowingly benefited from the oppression of others and the communities that have borne the weight of that injustice, fostering understanding, accountability, and collective healing.
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Board Member & Survivor Coach
As a certified mindset coach, Taji (she/her) is the founder of Resilient Storytelling, where she leads trauma-informed coaching programs designed to empower individuals to heal and thrive. She is also the co-founder of CO(OP, a community for sexual trauma survivors focused on self-healing. With a degree in journalism and a background as a trained trauma-informed space holder, Taji is a two-time winner of NPR's The Moth Story Hour, where she has honed her ability to help people reframe the stories they tell themselves and the world. As a board member of LKGA, Taji's wisdom and experience have been instrumental in ensuring the organization remains deeply rooted in its mission and purpose. As a sexual trauma survivor and queer woman with CPTSD, Taji is passionately committed to bringing healing, compassion, and love to communities around the world who are navigating trauma and adversity.
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Board Member & Medical Liaison
Before becoming a doctor, Dr. Villegas (she/her) volunteered with our founding group in Kenya in 2011. Her time with the organization inspired her to pursue a career in ophthalmology and fueled her passion for providing medical care to underserved communities worldwide. Dr. Villegas has since practiced medicine globally and now resides in California with her wife. As a queer woman born and raised in Venezuela, she is deeply committed to making vision care and overall wellness more accessible to vulnerable communities. As both a board member and the medical liaison for LKGA, she plays a crucial role in bringing our mission to life. Her dedication to kindness, compassion, and healthcare for marginalized populations also inspires young pre-medical volunteers to follow in her footsteps, working to bridge the gap in healthcare access and equity.
Since the beginning, at the core of everything we do are the fundamentals of lovingkindness: compassion, empathy, and unconditional goodwill. These guiding principles continue to shape our relationships, our partnerships, and our approach to community work. Through lovingkindness, we seek to foster healing, mutual respect, and lasting change in all the communities we serve.
Building Bridges Since 2011
Where It All Began….
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Hi, I’m Shelby, the founder of Lovingkindness Global Alliance. The organization began its journey back in 2011, sparked by my experience leading international service trips as president of WorldMed at Texas A&M University. While these trips seemed impactful, I couldn’t ignore how many large NGOs were led by outsiders making decisions far removed from the communities they served. Too often, it felt more like charity than solidarity, perpetuating the White Savior complex. I knew there had to be a better, more collaborative way. I wanted to do things differently. I knew we had an opportunity to leverage the unearned privileges of volunteers and donors in a way that was conscious, thoughtful, and truly collaborative. But I didn’t yet know how to make that shift. Everything changed when I met Jackline Ouku, the founder of Kenya Voluntary Community & Development Project (KVCDP), a grassroots organization in a rural Kenyan village. She was a powerhouse—someone with a deep understanding of her community’s needs and a clear vision for how to address them. Jacky wasn’t waiting for outsiders to tell her what to do; she was already leading change. What she needed was support to amplify her efforts.That meeting was a turning point. Jacky and I quickly formed a partnership. Together, we began sending medical and school supplies to her village, helping to establish its first clinic and supporting local doctors, nurses, and teachers in their work. Over the years, we’ve sent thousands of pounds of supplies and hundreds of volunteers to assist in schools, orphanages, and hospitals. The more I worked alongside Jacky, the clearer it became that real change happens when we support grassroots changemakers already fighting for their communities. It’s not about stepping in and taking over; it’s about showing up as an ally and using our resources to uplift their work. That philosophy became the foundation of what is now LKGA, formerly Operation Africa.
Over time, our work expanded beyond Jacky’s village to include other marginalized communities. We began focusing not just on physical health and education but also on mental health—a critical need often overlooked in the communities we serve. This gap is particularly devastating for women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and others who face systemic oppression. Addressing mental wellness became a central part of our mission, alongside everything else we were doing. Today, LKGA is a network of passionate individuals from all walks of life—actors, artists, musicians, doctors, nurses, teachers—all coming together to affirm and uplift the work of grassroots leaders. We’re not just building clinics or sending supplies; we’re building relationships, amplifying voices, and working together to create lasting, community-driven change.
This journey isn’t about me. It’s about the teachers, the healthcare workers, the activists, the local leaders, the change makers, and the countless others who inspire me every day. It’s about standing with them.
That’s what Lovingkindness Global Alliance is all about.