2026 on Fraueninsel: “A retreat full of special moments!”

From January 29 to February 1, 2026, we gathered at the monastery on Fraueninsel for the Nyendo retreat—and I sat in the middle of it all, moved and grateful: as the founder, initiator, and supporter of the Nyendo impulse, which I have carried within me since 2004 and have been able to develop together with over 250 young people from 12 different schools.

This was already the 14th year of these meetings – each time with a different group of participants, but always in the same spirit. We meet to look back, keep the connection to Kenya alive, discuss future issues, and plan the next steps. This time, many people came to visit us on the island: there were 55 participants in total. Among them were young people from two student companies (grades 8 to 11), nine alumni, four coaches, four members of the Nyendo team, and five guests from the network.

Then there was our special guest: Walter Orlando from Kangemi near Nairobi. Walter touched us with his warm-hearted clarity: “Everything I do, I do out of love for humanity.” This attitude carried us through the weekend.

At the official annual review, the Nyendo students showed us what can be achieved in a year: through sales and events, they generated a total of around €20,000.

But even more impressive than the numbers was their teamwork: they organized everything themselves, the processes ran smoothly, and the projects were goal-oriented. This is particularly impressive because the students often only had time to meet during breaks. Over the years, a shared treasure trove of experience and expertise has grown, from which each new generation benefits.

And that, for me, is the essence of it. Nyendo is a broad field of learning. It is a form of learning in which schools once again have an impact on society: educational, effective, and at the same time self-learning. Or, to quote Buddha: Learning is movement. Here we are in complete agreement with Buddha: Nyendo wants to be a learning movement.

The online meeting with Nairobi the next day shows us directly why we are doing all this. We were able to see live on screen what our student companies have made possible: the dormitory at Prosperity School, which they financed.

The Kibera Art District showed us just as impressively how art can become a voice and create spaces in which a community can stabilize, become visible, and break down barriers.

These days full of highlights featured one very special highlight: Valentin from Rosenheim had created a 40-minute film showing the Kenya trip from the perspective of the young people. It was his annual project. Together with the reports from the other Kenya travelers, it became clear how deeply the experiences of this special trip had affected them and how strong their connection to Nyendo is.

The retreat itself was also a lively experience for the young people: they took responsibility, contributed to the program, discussed, organized, laughed, and danced. In this way, they filled the days with the energy that arises when people are truly involved.

In the open space, it became clear where the journey is headed: Nyendo gUG will take a more backseat role in the future so that schools, coaches, students, and committed parents can take on more responsibility. At the same time, we are clearly focusing on decisively advancing the development of the Nyendo Social Hub in Kangemi.

With Nyendo, we want to become more visible to the outside world again—as a platform for solidarity, effectiveness, and meaningful action.

And along the way, everyone involved learns exactly what is so urgently needed today: entrepreneurial action, understanding contexts, overcoming fears, becoming capable of action—and being effective as a community.

When we listened to the Nairobi Chamber Choir’s recording of “Akuthula” – a Zulu song of peace – the room fell silent. It was moving. It brought us together. For me, it was like a quiet, clear call: peace begins where people truly encounter one another – and take responsibility.

Irmgard Wutte