The Sanctuary, in collaboration with University of Aberdeen, Addis Ababa University and University of Rwanda, is involved in a Major Global Health Project in Africa.  The purpose of the four year Project is to create a mindfulness intervention to children is sub-Saharan Africa and it is hoped that the intervention will result in real change for young pupils in school.

Mental health issues are the leading cause of illness among young people aged 7-19 years, with about one in seven experiencing mental health problems. The World Health Organisation states that by 2030 mental health issues will form the biggest burden on health care resources and recommends preventative interventions in schools.

Bringing together health experts, social scientists, teacher educators and government officials, regional engagement will be built into each stage of the research with members of both local communities including parents, teachers, and young people themselves playing an integral role in developing the tailored programme.

Professor Graeme Nixon from the School of Education at University of Aberdeen, along with Jane Negrych, Managing Director of The Sanctuary, are heading up the training of Rwandan and Ethiopian teacher educators in mindfulness and mindfulness approaches with children, as well as working with academics and communities in both countries to devise a culturally appropriate mindfulness-based intervention for primary schools.