Summiting the 'Sleeping Warrior' - Invictus Games Foundation Supports Recovery in Kenya

The Invictus Games Foundation continues its time in Africa, to spotlight the power of sport for recovery with a visit to Kenya.

We started our time in Kenya by supporting a hike with local members of the wounded, injured or sick (WIS) service community and their Friends and Family around Lake Elementaita before summiting a hill known as the ‘Sleeping Warrior’.

The hill was dubbed ‘Sleeping Warrior’ due its resemblance to a soldier lying on his back and was the perfect sight for recovery for the members of the Kenyan WIS community and their friends and families, allowing them to heal together and create a connection with nature.

This event was led by Byron Adera, a member of the local WIS community and was facilitated by our delivery partner, Africa Unconquered.

The hike started around the beautiful Lake Elementaita, a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of The Great Rift Valley, before the steep climb up the Sleeping Warrior.

We were joined on this hike by Darlene Barrett, Senior VP of Philanthropy at Monster Energy and two members of the local Monster Energy team in Kenya.

"I wanted to tell everyone here [on this hike] just how much how our hearts reach out to all of you. From the bottom of my heart I just wanted to say that I love all of you, I love Kenya and I hope to come back and see you all soon," Darlene said.

One member of the hike was Joseph, who suffers with a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), that he obtained due to his service in the Kenyan Armed Forces.

Joseph struggles with controlling his emotions and has been working with Bryon Adera, going on hikes to help with his recovery.

He has been reserved and shy in large groups but was very engaged during this hike, chatting with other members of the group and helping others navigate the difficult terrain.

"We hope this has been beneficial to your recovery, coming together like this and using sport and adventurous challenge to help you on your recovery," said David Wiseman, Chief International Programmes and Strategy.

Our time in Kenya is part of a broader engagement across West and East Africa, with IGF representatives heading next to Ghana.

Helen D’Oyley and David Wiseman, will be engaging with various stakeholders to help build recovery pathways for Africa's WIS community.

The Foundation’s visit underscores its strategic goal to grow and diversify the global Invictus Games Foundation’s community, while reinforcing the powerful role of African nations in shaping the future of recovery through sport.

For more updates and to follow the journey, stay tuned at www.invictusgamesfoundation.org