Endorsements
“In a world where genuine connection often feels elusive, this masterful guide arrives at exactly the right moment. Drawing from decades of experience as both therapist and global facilitator, the author delivers an essential handbook for anyone seeking to build bridges across difference and create lasting community change.
More than just techniques, this book offers a pathway to creating the connected world we desperately need. Whether you’re a seasoned facilitator, community leader, or someone passionate about bringing people together, this text will become your go-to resource for creating spaces where authentic connection flourishes and lasting change takes root.”
Jonny Morris (he/him)
Chief Executive Officer
Canadian Mental Health Association, British Columbia, Canada
“Robin Higgins’ book of learning activities is a much-needed and valuable resource for educators delivering to a new generation of learners. It has as much intellect as it has heart – highly valued qualities we miss out on in today’s fast paced world.”
Asst. Dean of Communications and Public Affairs
Northwestern University, Qatar
“What a resourceful guide for making and maintaining human connections! Through detailed lesson plans, case studies, articles, links to resources and on-line adaptation options, Robin Higgins shares her approach to exploring personal and cultural identity, mental health, wellbeing, and resilience. Having been part of some of these described projects, I am impressed by her unique approach to engaging and bringing together diverse groups of participants to create a powerful learning environment, so that both participants and facilitators return to her for more courses and projects, inspired to explore new territories in their social emotional learning.”
Robin calls the book “a love letter to all of us”, and indeed, it radiates care and love for humans and shows how much we can do to embrace challenges and recognize inner strengths.
Dr. Diana Pauna, Riga, Latvia
Former Dean of Arts and Sciences,
University of Central Asia, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan
“This book is a remarkable find for educators, counselors, and anyone interested in social-emotional development. It is full of practical strategies and engaging activities that encourage empathy, resilience, and community building. Having attended several workshops using these approaches, I can personally speak to their positive impact on my personal and professional development and practice. I am sure I will come back to this book again and again.”
Bonu Khafizova, from Dushanbe, Tajikistan
Former Assistant Manager of Student Affairs, University of Central Asia
Masters of Arts student in Politics, Philosophy and Economics, Witten Herdecke University, Germany
“I had a great time reading through this book. I thought I would browse through a few chapters, but I ended up going through the entire book and I couldn’t put it down! I appreciate the structure of each chapter. There are concrete and clear instructions on how to execute the activities, but there is also sufficient space to explore and adapt the material to the needs of the participants. I think many aspects of this book could also be useful for individual and family sessions across different cultural contexts. I can totally imagine myself conducting these activities with my clients.”
Senior Social Worker Fei Yue Community Services, Singapore
“I am incredibly grateful for the outstanding educational materials featured in this book. In this era when people spend so much timel with their phones and computers, it is increasingly important to develop self-awareness, communication skills and authentic connection with others. The Resilience Skills course that was facilitated for the KAAJ program, was more than just a class, it created a crucial support group that helped our students adapt and grow amidst one of the hardest challenges in the world – the current situation in Afghanistan. The girls at Kaaj and I have had some of our most memorable and enriching learning moments thanks to these interactive and meaningful activities.”
Senior Computer Science student, American University of Central Asia, Kyrgyzstan
Operations Lead, KAAJ Education for Afghan Women Students
Kabul, Afghanistan
