In a serene getaway at Ridge Cabin Resort, about an hour from Nairobi, 20 women gathered for a wellness retreat designed specifically for women aged between 50 and 65. The retreat, organized by Anne Mungai, co-founder of Voices of the Heart Africa, aimed to create a space where women could step away from their daily responsibilities and reconnect with themselves. The event was born out of a simple realization: women need spaces to focus on their own needs and well-being.
The retreat's program combined talks on reinventing one's journey, embracing age and experience, and navigating addiction in the family with opportunities for the women to bond and unwind. Anne Mungai, 56, says that wellness changes through different seasons of life, but the need for wellness never changes. She emphasized that women in this stage of life often give so much to their families, children, careers, and others that they forget to ask themselves, "How am I doing? What do I need? What makes me happy?"
For women in their 50s and 60s, wellness takes on a different meaning than it did in their 20s or 30s. At this stage, women may be navigating menopause or post-menopause, adjusting to children becoming independent, caring for ageing parents, contemplating retirement, or simply asking what they want for themselves in the next chapter. The retreat provided a platform for women to share their experiences, learn from one another, and find support in navigating these life changes.
Margaret Ndungu, an HR manager and consultant, attended the retreat to meet women navigating similar transitions and learn from those already figuring out life beyond corporate careers. She found the experience eye-opening, meeting women with unique experiences and valuable perspectives, forming new friendships, and coming away with reflections that she could probably fill a notebook. Margaret emphasized the importance of finding balance across the physical, social, emotional, mental, and spiritual aspects of her life.
The retreat was not just about sharing experiences but also about creating a sense of community and companionship. Margaret mentioned that she has found a different kind of companionship travelling with her girlfriends, both locally and internationally. These trips have become an annual tradition that has stood for more than a decade, providing her with immense joy, relaxation, and meaningful conversations.
Anne Mungai's initiative, Voices of the Heart Africa, aims to create spaces for women to connect and share their experiences. She believes that women are more likely to invest in a retreat that is meaningful, thoughtfully planned, and offers genuine opportunities to connect, recharge, and grow. The success of the retreat is a testament to the value of such experiences for women in this stage of life.
The wellness retreat demonstrated that women over 50 are embracing their experiences, perspectives, and "patina." As Margaret noted, women have a wealth of knowledge, experiences, and ideas to share. The retreat provided a platform for these women to come together, learn from one another, and celebrate their lives, marking the beginning of a new chapter for many of them.
Key points
- A wellness retreat in Kenya brings together women aged 50-65 to share experiences and reconnect with themselves.
- The retreat aimed to create a space for women to focus on their own needs and well-being.
- Women in this stage of life are navigating significant life changes, including menopause, children becoming independent, and caring for ageing parents.
