Joy, Community, and Healing: Inside LAN Health Initiative’s ‘Project Try: The Real You’ in Abuja 2026

It was during the 2026 edition of one of LAN Healthcare’s flagship initiatives, “Project Try: The Real You,” that the true power of community became clear. Started in 2019, the project was born from a desire to bring an American-inspired model of openness to Africa, a direct challenge to the silent suffering that has long plagued the continent, where the stigma of mental health often forces people to suffer in total isolation.
On Saturday, May 30, at the Whisper Arts Haus in Maitama, Abuja, about 100 people gathered to break that silence. The atmosphere was purposefully relaxed; through drawing, painting, and guided conversation, participants found a rare space where they could be vulnerable without fear of judgment. It was a place where personal stories were met not with mockery, but with shared empathy.

The event’s highlight, however, went beyond the activities, centering on the raw honesty of those who have paved the way. Speakers addressed the harsh reality of the “hustle”, the immense mental strain of trying to build a business and survive in a challenging economic climate. Dr. Natasha, who relocated to Nigeria seven years ago, shared how her own journey was marked by repeated failures before she successfully built a company that now employs 11 people. Her message was simple: resilience is the only way forward.

Angela Brown, co-founder of LAN Healthcare Initiatives, echoed this sentiment with a powerful address that laid bare the organization’s own struggles.

“Today, I am not standing before you as someone who had it easy,” Brown told the crowd. “I am standing before you as someone who refused to give up.”

She spoke candidly about the years of financial instability, noting that there were days they didn’t know how they would print the next flyer or fund the next outreach. “We sacrificed sleep, comfort, finances, peace, and sometimes even our dignity just to keep this dream alive,” Brown shared.

She recalled the temptation of offers that came with strings attached, donors who wanted them to compromise their values for funding. “But we refused. Because the people we fight for are the young people battling addiction, the mothers suffering silently, the families destroyed by untreated mental health issues they deserve honesty.”

Brown’s speech served as a call to action, urging the audience to recognize the urgency of the work being done on the ground. “Even when the doors closed in our faces… we kept moving,” she said. “Even when nobody clapped for us… we kept working.” She challenged the attendees not to wait for tragedies to strike before taking interest in mental health and community wellness. “Support organizations that are truly working,” she urged. “Support people who are sacrificing everything to create change.”
The event was further energized by musical performances and comedians who kept the mental health focus at the forefront of the entertainment.

As the day concluded with prizes and community connection, the message was clear: despite every rejection and every exhausting hurdle, organizations like LAN Healthcare are still standing.

As Brown put it, “As long as we have breath, we will continue fighting for awareness, healing, and hope.”

Dr Nketchi, co-founder of LAN Healthcare Initiatives, attended the event. It was also attended by a representative from the Nigerian Federal Road Safety Corps.