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Ayira’s Neuro Soul Café: A Kilimani Restaurant Where Neurodivergent People Work and Lead
Ayira’s Neuro Soul Café in Kilimani, Nairobi, is a restaurant staffed by neurodivergent people and home to Joyful Journeys’ weekend training. Here is why inclusive work matters.
Key takeaways
- Ayira’s is a restaurant in Kilimani staffed by neurodivergent people.
- It is also the venue for Joyful Journeys’ weekend training and events.
- Meaningful work is part of the long-term picture for every child we support.
Much of what we do at Joyful Journeys is about the early years: play, language and daily routines. But families ask the bigger question too: what will my child’s adult life look like? Ayira’s Neuro Soul Café, in Kilimani, Nairobi, is part of our answer.
What is Ayira’s?
Ayira’s is a restaurant staffed by neurodivergent people. It was founded by Diana Ayoo, a certified behavior analyst and a mother to a neurodivergent child, who is also the founder of Joyful Journeys. Diana received the DIAR Award as the National PWD Inclusion Champion in 2024 for her work on inclusion.
Why meaningful work matters
- Belonging. A job gives people a role, colleagues and a reason to get up in the morning.
- Skills in context. Greeting guests, following a routine and handling money are practised in real life, not in a worksheet.
- Visibility. When guests are served by neurodivergent colleagues, assumptions soften. People see capability first.
- Hope for families. Parents see a future that includes pride and independence.
Where we teach
Ayira’s is also where Joyful Journeys holds weekend classes. Caregivers practise strategies in a friendly, relaxed setting, surrounded by an example of what inclusion can look like. Look at the events page for the latest sessions, or the 8-week programme.
Ways to support
- Visit Ayira’s with family and friends. See the café page for details.
- Share your visit and tag Joyful Journeys.
- Ask local workplaces how they can hire inclusively.
- Join a session and meet other families. Start on the community page.
If you are a business owner who would like to talk about inclusive hiring, get in touch.
Questions answered
Where is Ayira’s Café?
Ayira’s is in Kilimani, Nairobi. Open the map from our contact page for directions.
Is the café connected to Joyful Journeys?
Yes. It was founded by Joyful Journeys’ founder, and our weekend training is held there.
How can I support inclusive employment?
Visit, be patient and kind, spread the word, and ask your own workplace about inclusive hiring.
Joyful Journeys team
Joyful Journeys supports children with autism and other developmental differences, and their families, through ABA training, community programmes and advocacy in Nairobi. This article is general information, not medical advice.
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