Collaborators:
Alpha Glory Community Educational Center, Maisha Poa Centre, and Kivuli Centre.
Educational Outcomes (EO), as an adjunct to its “Creating Trauma Informed Schools in Kenya” program, has created and will administer a Substance Abuse Awareness Program (SAAP) in Nairobi, Kenya, the SUPSE intervention. The goal of which is to bring quality substance abuse assistance and learning to local communities.
SAAP brings weekly interventions specifically designed for the Kenyan culture and community in mind. It was created to help people in Kenya understand and stay away from substance abuse. It uses simple lessons, examples, and activities that match the life experiences of the surrounding community. The program helps learners make smart decisions, build confidence, and live healthy lives free from drugs and alcohol.
The program is 48 weeks, approximately 1 year, with breaks for holidays and planned off weeks.
An overview of the program:
- Prevention: Learning how to say no before drugs start controlling you.
- Surveillance: Learning how to notice and act when someone is at risk.
- Eradication: Learning how to help others and create a safe, drug-free environment.
Through SUPSE, EO envisions a generation of young Kenyans equipped with the knowledge, confidence, and life skills to make positive choices, support peers, and take active roles in building a safe, productive society.
Joseph Mwaniki Githeria
Project Kenya: Substance Use Prevention, Surveillance, and Eradication (SUPSE) Program Manager
Founder, Mental Battalion CBO
Developer, SUPSE Life Skills Curriculum
Joseph Mwaniki Githeria is a passionate community health and mental wellness advocate
dedicated to empowering Kenyan youth to live drug-free, purpose-driven lives. As the creator of
the Substance Use Prevention, Surveillance and Eradication (SUPSE) curriculum, Joseph
combines evidence-based practices with relatable, community-centered lessons that align with
Kenya’s Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
Drawing from his own lived experience and years of service as a Community Health Promoter
with Nairobi County, Joseph has designed and led programs that help young people understand
substance use risks, strengthen emotional resilience, and build supportive peer networks. He has
previously served with Fida International (Finnish Mission Kenya) as a Community Health
Volunteer and at Maisha Poa Center as a Counselor, contributing to mental health awareness
and substance-use prevention initiatives in schools and communities.
Through his organization, Mental Battalion CBO, Joseph founded a peer-support network for
individuals undergoing emotional challenges, an initiative that earned him the 2023 Mental
Health Champion Award from Nairobi County. His leadership emphasizes compassion,
collaboration, and community ownership of health solutions.
Joseph’s academic background includes a Diploma in Drug and Substance Use Prevention
(University of Wesleyan), a Diploma in Positive Psychiatry (University of Sydney), and a
Diploma in Counseling Psychology (Kenya Institute of Professional Counseling). His training
in psychotherapy, psychosocial support, and community facilitation further strengthens his
commitment to building healthier, drug-free communities. Additionally, he is a member of the
Kenya Counseling and Psychological Association.
Through SUPSE, Joseph envisions a generation of young Kenyans equipped with the knowledge,
confidence, and life skills to make positive choices, support peers, and take active roles in
building a safe, productive society.