Love Letter to Kakuma
19th May 2026
To my dear Kakuma kindred creative soul,
I am writing to you from across the world, from my own small corner where I am slowly but surely building something from nothing, not from the ashes of war or other cruel atrocities, but from my lifelong search for belonging and to make my precious life matter, and to leave a legacy my ancestors, my childhood self and future generations would be proud of.
You see, I spent my life telling myself I was not creative, but now I know we cannot believe everything our mind tells us, my mind was not telling me the truth, I am glad I woke up to the fact that I am highly creative being and I know you are too.
Embracing my creative writing since 2022 has helped me lift my loneliness, my feelings of sadness and feeling lost, and it has helped me find that sense of belonging. In a process of reconnecting to my inner wise Sage self and finding the home within me.
And although I know our circumstances differ greatly, I believe with my whole heart that it is this same power of creativity which connects us here and now, as we are one in our un-relenting human desire to create, to express ourselves, to inspire, in the hope for a better world, and a brighter future.
I think of you picking up a pen and paper perhaps at times of deep despair or hopelessness but writing anyway or picking up a paint brush to add some colour to life, and smiling at your finished creation, feeling in that moment more connected.
In this concrete jungle where I live, which is built on imperialism and capitalism, things can look very grey and dull at times, but I remind myself that there is always a beauty I can create with my words, and my voice.
I realise you live in conditions that ask far more of you than mine ever have of me, but in our darkest moments, embracing the power of our unique creativity and sharing our story, our vulnerabilities, I now believe is one of the most extraordinary acts of courage and humanity.
I have been learning something in my own life that I want to share with you, because I believe you will understand. I have been learning to build the life I wish to have, not with status or things, not with perfect circumstances, but with the gifts our creator created within us all; the gifts of imagination, curiosity, awe, wonder and creativity.
I will continue to build a community of people who never feel alone or lonely, I want to help them embrace their miraculous life, and reclaim their precious time, energy and attention from a world built around continually stealing those precious assets from us.
I am using my life experience, my coaching skills, my writing and storytelling as the foundation. It may be a slow process, but it is an authentic one and I steadily progress. Perhaps it has been slow, as I had to build self-belief, self-trust and self-care from the ground up, as they were lost within me for a very long time.
I believe creative art is not only a distraction from a hard life but a bridge through it and my writing is no longer just an escape for me to lose myself in, now I use it as a way of saying to the world: I am here, creating a meaningful fulfilled life, as I matter, my precious life matters.
And I am writing this letter to tell you that you do too.
You matter profoundly and so do the stories only you can tell, the images only your hands can paint, the unique creations only your mind can manifest, the song only you can sing. These are necessary to help heal this fractured world we all struggle in and inspire others to do the same.
My message to you is, stay strong, keep creating, knowing that every creation travels, taking with it your unique story, your hopeful energy, with a frequency that ripples further than you will ever see from where you stand right now.
Hate Destroys, Love Creates.
So, as I build my small corner of hope, community and creative light, I am building it for you too. For the world we all deserve, one where every human being is safe, seen, and free to live their life in peace.
Until that world is fully here, we will keep encouraging and supporting each other albeit from afar and I pray; may the darkness never succeed in dimming our light of love, hope and creativity.
I would like to end my letter to you with the words of Maya Angelou, who said “Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope.”
I want you to know that somewhere, someone who has never met you stills holds you in their heart.
Sharing with you, my kindred spirit, that love and hope, from one creative soul to another
Yours creatively,
Patricia
PS In February this year, I attended a beautiful workshop hosted by the amazing Lauren Ducrey who is bringing poetry to life in her own unique way, and in this workshop I wrote my Poetic Manifesto and I would like to share that piece of inspired writing with you in the hope it will inspire you to write your own manifesto, whether it be in poetry or prose.
My Poetic Manifesto
I never compromise with honesty and integrity
I live in wellness for health and longevity
Continuing to learn and being curious
always authentic, never spurious.
I bring my passion with me wherever I go
helping others realise how creative writing and poetry
help us live with more ease, in life’s rhythmic flow.
Respect and appreciation for everyone along the way
listening to everyone, inspired by them having their say.
I rise within my self love movement stride
inspiring others to rise to meet themselves with spiritual pride
Reconnect with their true essence, their Sage at its core
no going back now, all will be left wanting more.
As they reconnect to meet their real diamond within
No longer obsessed with the consumerism’s external bling.
I’m writing, speaking, vlogging and blogging
books, magazines, online, much more and all
as I continue to answer my purpose, my life’s call
Lyrically, poetically, authentically
Unstoppable, unshakeable
Inspiring others to move from their self-sabotage traps
I have done the work on me, so there’ll be no gaps.
I am open and receptive to all that life offers me
self lovingly, abundantly, creatively free
Unconditionally, unapologetically being me.
Poetry is priceless
Peace is priceless
Life is priceless
You are priceless
and me; I am priceless.
Written February 2026
By Patricia Ahern, Founder of Positive Autonomy Coaching
And Host of Mindful Poetic Stories Podcast