#9  Dr. Lulu a Pediatrician, Author, Speaker, and Activist of Youth suicide started a class called "Mom it's not about you"; a class where she gets to work with parents of LGBTQ+  children. Why did she start working with parents of LGBTQ+ children? And why is it important for parents to support their LGBTQ+ children? Take a listen to her insights.    

Highlights of this podcast:  

• Her love for pediatrics
• Having lost a friend and patients to suicide
• How she felt when her own child opened up about their own sexuality
• Why do children run away from home?

Follow Dr. Lulu at
Website https://www.dr-lulu.com/
Podcast - The Pride Corner Podcast https://www.dr-lulu.com/podcast
Facebook Private group Positively Parenting your LGBTQ* Child(ren) https://www.facebook.com/groups/899869054174919

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#8 We had some great laughs during this recording as Naftaly Muriuki talked about his journey of migration and his work in the US Navy.  In this episode, he talks about his path of applying to go to the US, his culture shocks, and his adjustments to the US.
He also shares some snippets of his life serving in the Navy which include his travels and deployment to Afghanistan.
This was great information for anyone thinking of joining the Navy.

How does he take care of his mental health using the 8 dimensions of mental wellness?

Contacts [email protected]

Resources for US Navy
https://www.navy.com/
https://www.navy.mil/ 

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#7 What is life like for an African immigrant living in another African country? Dr. Jane Mwangi talks about her experiences having lived in Ghana, Kenya, and Rwanda. What were the challenges? What were the differences?  Did she find immigration laws different in these countries?

Her lived experience compelled her to pursue a Doctoral degree in Migration studies.  What were the outcomes of her research?

 Episode Highlights include:

• Importance of understanding immigration laws as it pertains to the family structure.
• What are some of the adjustments that she had to make as a result of immigration laws? 
• Realities of her children born in Ghana but being citizens of Kenya 
• Experiences faced by her children when they moved to their country of citizenship
• Life as a diaspora returnee. 
• Linking Diasporans with investments in Africa

Connect with Jane at
Website https://diasporainterlink.com/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/diasporainterlink
Twitter https://twitter.com/DInterlink

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#6 One of the first things you notice about Dr. Elizabeth Wachira aka Dr. E is her turban. In this episode, she talks about this integral part of her life and some of her experiences in the US.  

Episode Highlights

• Experiences as an 11-year-old immigrant child. 
• Has she ever been bullied or discriminated against for wearing her turban?
• The importance of integrating your own culture/identity into a tapestry as an immigrant.
• The values instilled by her parents.
• Her work in the field of Public Health.  

Follow Dr. E at
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/talkswithe
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/becomingngaged
Twitter https://twitter.com/TalksWithE1
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/talkswithe/?hl=en
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethwachira16

Resources
Book - Seated: My journey to Becoming by Priscilla Wachira

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#5 When Rosemary Kariuki relocated to Australia she did not understand why people were so isolated and did not interact with each other. She decided to be part of the solution by creating a community around her.  She has worked with and continues to create communities in Australia.  She was awarded the 2021 Australian of the Year local hero award for her work with immigrants, refugees, and victims of gender-based violence. 

After talking with her during this podcast, I completely understood why the UNHCR called her a “Kenyan Powerhouse”; she definitely leaves an impression on you when you meet her. 

Her words of encouragement include:

• Be part of the solution when you see a problem
• Create supportive communities
• Love yourself and take care of yourself
• Be an advocate for victims of Gender-Based Violence 
• Learn the various forms of Domestic Violence

Resources to connect with Rosemary
LinkedIn https://au.linkedin.com/in/rosemary-kariuki-a872b72

Rosemary’s Way Film https://fan-force.com/films/rosemarys-way/#
Rosemary's Way https://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/video/1944939075873/rosemarys-way

Rosemary Connection https://www.facebook.com/Rosemarys-Connection-108213284648620/?ref=py_c

Award ceremony-  Australia of the Year awards https://www.australianoftheyear.org.au/

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#4 Many immigrants desire to relocate back to their home countries after furthering their studies but how many make that journey back home?  Dr. Joyce Gitangu, a dentist talks about how she set a goal to return to her home country, Kenya, after completing her studies in the US.  She also talks about her experiences as an immigrant and her journey to setting up her business.

Do not miss what she said about:

• Preparing yourself financially and mentally before relocating
• Importance of researching and understanding systems before relocating back to your home country
• Challenges as a returnee
• Importance of having mentors 
• Relevance of Public health in Oral Health
• What she does to take care of her mental health

Follow her on 

Website https://dentalsmiles.co.ke/

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/dentalsmilesnairobi/?hl=en

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/dentalsmilesnairobi/?rf=1532691366995580

Twitter https://twitter.com/dentalsmilez

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#3 We had a glitchy start during this recording but this did not stop us from talking about Prophetess Mwaka's passion for rebuilding her home country, Zambia.  She talks about how she balances her work as a pastor and her political aspirations.  She also talks about why Christian leaders should be part of political decisions. 

Don't miss what she said about:

• Her experiences as an immigrant having lived in 3 countries
• Balancing personal aspirations and motherhood
• Importance of self-identity and being emotionally healthy.
• How she copes with life challenges to maintain her mental health
• Importance of support systems
• Importance of couples sticking together

Follow Prophetess Mwaka Twagirayesu on
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ProphetessMwaka
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/prophetessmwaka/?hl=en
Youtube https://www.youtube.com/c/ProphetessMwaka

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#2 A day after closing on a new house Don Otieno was detained by immigration officials for overstaying his visa. He talks about the challenges of the deportation process. Deportation is such a mentally draining process and can strip you of your identity.   But how do you rebuild your life in your home country after 10+ years?

His passion for the boy child was birthed from his painful story.
The life of an immigrant has some twist and turns
His story of resiliency is something you don't want to miss.

Follow him at
Don Otieno https://www.facebook.com/donald.otieno.94
Mancode Events https://www.facebook.com/Mancode-Events-290963524965046
Relationship and Pre-marital coaching https://www.facebook.com/CoachCynthiaWambuiOtieno

Resources / Books
When Love Dares - Breaking barriers in pursuit of love
The Re-wired man Redefining the ManCODE

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#1 Dr. Lilian Odera a US-based Clinical Psychologist talks about her path to getting into the field of Psychology and her passion for African mental health.

She also talks about:

• Learning to balance cultural aspects for better integration
• Importance of having mentors and great support systems
• Self-awareness as it relates to emotional well being 

Follow Dr. Lil at

Website https://www.lilianodera.com/

Email [email protected]

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/DoctorLil/

Facebook Dr. Lilian Odera, Clinical Psychologist https://www.facebook.com/DrLilianOdera

Twitter https://twitter.com/lilianodera

Youtube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgVOJLS7IgCnoaaSgWZT_Sw

Promoting African Mental Health (PAMH)  https://www.facebook.com/groups/155405745861232

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What kinds of experiences do African immigrants have when they migrate to a different country? 
I am passionate about listening to real-life stories about the journey of migration.  I like to know what makes them tick, what they like and dislike about their journey, the impact of immigration laws, and get to hear how the assimilation process has redefined them.  Join me as we listen to these real-life experiences and let's uncover the impact of assimilation.   

Immigrants are definitely resilient people. 

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