What You Will Get
- A workbook with exercises
- A guide to develop or refine your organisational Health and Wellness Policy/Plan
- A certificate of completion from The NGO Whisperer® Centre for Social Impact. We are an accredited Continuing Professional Development service provider in the United Kingdom.
Meet our Faculty
Sheryl Puterman
Sheryl Puterman is the Co-Founder of Nourishment Vitality. She has over 20 years of experience in the wellness industry, giving her deep insights into human vulnerability and behaviour. She has created an authentic, shame-free space that fosters personal growth. Sheryl is based in Ra’anana, Israel. Connect with Sheryl at info@nourishmentvitality.com.
Steve Puterman
Steve Puterman is the Co-Founder of Nourishment Vitality alongside his wife Sheryl. He has over 30 years of experience in negotiation, business analysis, entrepreneurship, strategic planning, and business development. Steve is based in Ra’anana, Israel. Connect with Steve at info@nourishmentvitality.com.
Carolyne A. Opinde
Carolyne A. Opinde Dr.h.c. is an award-winning social impact expert, author, speaker, and the Founder and CEO of The NGO Whisperer® Centre For Social Impact. She is the convenor of The NGO Whisperer® Masterclass and Dr. Opinde is based in Manchester, United Kingdom. Connect with Dr. Opinde at info@ngowhisperer.com.
Testimonials
The NGO Whisperer® Global Fellows, Class of 2026-Welcome to August, our Health and Wellness Month.
We kicked off our 4-week high-impact masterclass on ‘Leaders Prioritise Their Health and Wellness’ with 50+ Global Fellows from 30 countries
Rev Adenike Olumide – Emmanuel – Nigeria“My aha moment today was when Sheryl said set goals, and have daily intentions, don’t create to-do lists. I’m big on creating to do lists while at work, so that was a mind shift for me, and I plan to look into it some more. I also enjoyed the fact that Sheryl and Steve shared the session.”
“From today’s class I surmised that I’m not doing badly in times of self-care. But of course, there’s always room for improvement. And I was happy to hear again that I’m not responsible for everybody’s happiness.
Thanks again Sheryl and Steve for class today. See you next week.
And many thanks, Dr. Carolyne. It’s been great so far.”
“Personally, I have been tremendously blessed by the sessions I have had this month.
It is lovely to me to see how daily processes and actions can be conceptualized and elevated to a position of deep understanding.
When what I eat is as important as how I eat it or when my responses to emotions outside my system have a link to how my internal systems respond…being able to put all these into words and pass them across is truly amazing to me.
I know it was a tragedy that brought Sheryl and Steve into this line of training but thanks for making a message out of your mess.
I’m really glad I’m a part of this class. It’s made me realize I am doing pretty well in terms of taking care of myself and my space.
This entire fellowship has been very valuable to me and that’s why I ensure I’m a part of the class every weekend.
And I know that we are encouraged to invite our team members to be a part of the class particularly on weekends when we cannot make the classes, but, personally, I know for a fact that no Founder should miss any of these sessions. No. Every session, every week is always packed with value!
And the Assignments… Phew! The assignments are “it” for me. It is in carrying out my assignments that I get to internalize what I have been taught in class and though, I might take time in submitting my assignment I definitely, definitely enjoy carrying them out. I get to deconstruct what I have been taught in class and make it relevant to my organization in the process of me carrying out my assignments and I love that!
Whatever challenges you may be facing in carrying out these trainings, Dr. Carolyne, don’t stop. You are blessing lives and transforming societies and only time will tell of the impact you are making in the lives of every participant of this Fellowship.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Chief Adenike Emmanuel -Opolo at Ewa Women Empowerment Initiative-Founder/President:”
Purine Mthembi Bhembe-Eswatini “Aha: I am aware that I have been the biggest poison in my body and most of the time pointing fingers to some people responsible for my stress. Thanks to today’s class, I now have a way out of the things I’ve been doing that caused this kind of tension in my body. The exercises were life changing. After today’s exercises, I felt a lot more relaxed and longing for more”
“Today’s lesson, like all other, was an eye opener and wake-up call that a healthy lifestyle and mindful of what you eat is key. One great thing is that we can break the cycle of emotional eating”
Gayathri Suryanarayanan-India “My key takeaway is a simple thought…. If a less than five-minute exercise can give you so much peace, how wonderful it would be if we practiced this regularly!Thank you so very much for including this to our program.Happy mind happy body…and vice versa.”
“My takeaway from this masterclass is that before checking our B12 component, we should check our B3…Brain, Body and Behavior! Are we being mindful, are we eating well and how we take our emotions??!?!”
“Amazing session today. The most needed one as well. Many times, in the name of multi-tasking, we forget mindfulness. All the 3 toolkits are so perfect and so relevant. Will try to put them in practice, for sure. Thanks again”
Vuthy Bun-Cambodia “My key takeaway: Having self-care activities such as mediation in the workplace builds more productivity and success in life. In addition, relaxation and building close relationships and trust with co-workers and family help reduce stress.
“Nugget of the day: Addressing workplace culture is a collective effort — and the key to stress management includes clear communication, trusted relationships, work-life balance, and time awareness.”
“Today’s session guided me to have a healthy lifestyle with practical approaches, including healthy food and exercise.”
Dennis Nyakundi-Kenya“Key takeaway for today class is Awareness of hidden stress, building resilience, and taking immediate action are essential for personal well-being, effective leadership, and lasting success”
C Hajra – Pakistan“Today’s session on Health and Wellness was quite refreshing. It has taught us that we need to take care of ourselves first. Not only physically but mentally and emotionally too. Most of the time we are available for everyone except for one person: our own self.”
The NGO Whisperer® Global Fellows, Class of 2026
Prof Judith Anchang-Kimbi – Cameroon“Holistic health is about balance and moderation. Restriction and extreme diets impact our overall well-being; physically, behaviorally, psychologically etc. Our food story matters. It is the gateway to our healing. Holistic health is about balance and moderation
Amb. (Dr). Yvonne Onyinye Afolabi – Nigeria“Self-awareness comes before self-control. I cannot change my response to stress until I first notice what my body and mind are experiencing.”
“My A-ha moment in today’s class was: Your stress is not a personal failure; it is a biological signal that your boundaries are missing.”
“My A-ha moment in today’s class was: Your personal time needs to be protected and respected intentionally.”
Nixon Ochieng-Kenya“Thank you, Dr. Carolyne, Steve and Sheryl, for today’s insightful session.Key takeaway: Taking care of myself is not selfish. It’s necessary. Setting clear boundaries, managing my energy, and learning to say no protects both my wellbeing and the quality of the work I do for others”
“Thank you, Dr. Carolyne, Steve, and Sheryl. My biggest takeaway today: Mindset matters. The mind is the most powerful tool we have. Restrictive thinking and comfort eating keep us in stress cycles — real freedom comes from awareness, balance, and treating our health as our true wealth.”
“My aha moment: We shouldn’t sign up for too many things. Protecting my energy and focusing on one clear goal at a time is more powerful than trying to do everything.
Lybania Arevalo-El Salvador“A couple of years ago, I focused heavily on meditation and breathing techniques, and I began to manifest many of my desires. It felt like a dream, and I found it hard to believe it was the reality I had imagined. Now, with the stress of daily life, and especially work-related stress, I’ve neglected those wonderful techniques that greatly aid personal and spiritual growth. Today, I feel the call once again to remember these powerful techniques for being in tune with my body and mind, and I thank NGO Whisperer for reminding me once again to be in that beautiful harmony of health and well-being.”
“Having good eating habits can transform many conditions such as depression, anxiety, and stress, which we are often led to believe can only be changed through clinical treatment. However, the power to transform them lies in our minds, starting with changing our eating habits and adding healthy routines like exercise, meditation, and positive spiritual connections.”
“My “aha” moment is that I always have to be realistic when setting my goals because I need to be more aware of my abilities and, above all, my discipline in order to achieve them.”
Dale Mukwena – South Africa“My key takeaway: True wellness is protecting your mind and body together — managing stress through presence, mindfulness, and community because your mindset drives your health and productivity.”
“Today’s session reinforced the importance of prioritizing our physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. I learned how simple morning routines can boost focus and energy, while time awareness, healthy communication, strong relationships, and work-life balance help manage stress. Most importantly, I learned to prioritize myself.Thank you for this session”
“My key takeaway: True wellness is protecting your mind and body together — managing stress through presence, mindfulness, and community because your mindset drives your health and productivity.”
“Today’s session helped me understand my emotional eating triggers, become more aware of my thoughts, and practice mindfulness. I learned that sustainable wellness comes from balance, moderation, and healthy choices rather than restrictive diets. I can intentionally change my habits, nurture my well-being, and enjoy life without feeling deprived or guilty.”
“My key takeaway is simple: focus on one clear goal, protect your energy, and don’t take on more than you can manage. When we make our health and well-being a priority, we create space to grow, achieve our goals, and contribute to stronger, healthier organizations.”
James Cheruiyot-Kenya“Thank you for the amazing sessions! I can’t wait for the exciting journey ahead!My Aha Moment: I cannot defeat a habit I refuse to confront. I must understand its root, face its triggers, and replace the pattern rather than simply trying to suppress it.”
“Today I learned that while I can’t always control the thoughts that enter my mind, I do have the power to choose which ones I keep, nurture, and let guide my actions.”
Aline Umubyeyi-Rwanda“Giving myself time and focus on my development is also best way to achieve my plan.Today’s reason taught us how to value ourselves”
“Our health is our wealth. Today I learned that it is my responsibility to control what i feed my body, brain and how i behave. All those aspects will help us to manage life cycle and sustainable wellness.”
“As usual, class has new tips that guide us in this journey. Having a health and Wellness plan in the organization can help you grow, achieve goals, and retain staff. As a takeaway, I need to set a plan, prioritize, and focus on my health.
Peter Ogundele – Nigeria“Today’s Health and Wellness Masterclass has opened my eyes to ways I have allowed my daily activities to take away the joy of health and wellness from me.”
The NGO Whisperer® Global Fellows, Class of 2025
Richard Dayo Agbaje, Liberia: Many thanks and appreciation to Sheryl and Steve. I sincerely appreciate the tremendous knowledge I gained from their lessons on health and wellness, which have improved my quality of life and reduced my stress. Once again, I am very grateful.
Richard Dayo Agbaje, Liberia: “Today’s lesson has made me more aware of my eating and sleeping habits and their impact on my health. I am realising that personal transformation is not only possible but realistic. It’s essential to recognise that maintaining good health encompasses more than just food; it also involves factors such as regular exercise, sufficient sleep, and effective stress management.
Many thanks to Steve and Sheryl. I would like to extend my gratitude to our facilitators. I now understand the importance of establishing a health and wellness plan that will benefit me both at home and at the office.”
Pascal Mcwabule DRC: “My key takeaway is to break the cycle truly, first understand your triggers, then develop awareness of your thoughts, live fully in the moment, and finally take action to break the cycle for good.”
Pascal Mcwabulee DRC: “My key takeaway is embracing the practice of full-body meditation, which simultaneously trains both the brain and the body, a powerful way to reconnect and refocus.”
Komlan Timothée Tchangai, Togo: “I learnt that personal transformation begins with awareness. Today, I understood that the secret to wellness lies in balance, moderation, and alignment between what I feel, what I think, and what I do.”
Chrispinus Wafula Simiyu, Kenya: “My takeaway today is to live your life one habit at a time. Creating healthy habits begins with the right mindset. Every day, we have the power to choose how we nourish our bodies.”
Rashid Mehmood Khan, Pakistan: “My nugget of the day is that organisational wellness boosts productivity: Healthy teams are high-performing teams.”
Today’s Masterclass on Health & Wellness Planning was a powerful reminder that well-being is not a luxury — it’s a responsibility. We explored the importance of creating holistic wellness plans for ourselves, our families, and our organizations.
My Aha Moment: “We often build business plans, career goals, or school schedules — but forget to create a Health & Wellness Plan, which is the foundation of everything else.”
Carolyne Odhiambo-MPRSK Kenya: “I learnt that when we are aware of our experiences, emotions, motives, desires and reactions, we will judge ourselves and others less harshly since we are all unique.”
Richard Dayo Agbaje, Liberia: “My key takeaway from today’s session is the method of learning, which serves as an excellent example of how we can manage stress. I realised that I can effectively handle stress when it arises.”
Chris Wafula Simiyu, Kenya: “Today’s class offered practical and insightful tools for managing stress and enhancing overall well-being. One of my key takeaways was learning the ‘Four-in, Four-out’ slow belly breathing technique, a simple yet powerful practice that promotes calmness and focus by regulating the breath.”
Sisbee : “We, as King’s Hope, were able to join in for 3 weeks, and the team gained a lot for the month. We are grateful to Sheryl and Steve for the insightful masterclass…
My takeaway point today was the need to create a psychologically and physically safe environment for all employees, and that means being intentional in creating positive workplace spaces.
My Aha moment was how a rewards system can make employees feel celebrated and part of an organisation. Thank you”
The NGO Whisperer® Global Fellows, Class of 2025
Lawrence A.K.T. Bondo Sr., Liberia: “Thank you, Steve Puterman and Sheryl Puterman, for creating meaningful opportunities to support our health and wellness. I have learned so much. You have motivated me to set up an appointment for my health check-up. I have also begun planning my diet more intentionally, exercising regularly, drinking water daily and prioritising relaxation to reduce stress.”
Lawrence A.K.T. Bondo Sr., Liberia: “I normally feel stressed whenever I’m implementing projects. The stress usually stays with me until the end of implementation. This masterclass today helped me to realise that incorporating more stress-free exercises could go a long way in releasing tension and preparing me to begin a new day.”
Vitalis Bruce Ziraba, Uganda: “My takeaway is that there is no gold standard for creating a health and wellness plan. What matters is that it should work for me and my organisation. Thank you for the breathing exercise and the meditation. I felt relieved from stress today.”
CPA Nyakato Mawanda, Kenya: “Great session today- my key takeaway was that embracing self-awareness requires me to build the muscle of actively seeking feedback from trusted sources, so that I can recognise my prejudices and blind spots and work on them to thrive as a healthy individual rather than live in my own bubble. My key takeaway was a powerful reminder that the mind is incredibly influential. As leaders, we need to live consciously and intentionally build our self-awareness so we can truly be present in life.”
Alhassan Iddrisu, Ghana: “What clicked for me today was realising that slowing down isn’t wasting time; it’s one of the smartest things I can do for my focus and productivity. I saw how often I push myself to take on too much, overestimate what I can handle, and underestimate what others are capable of doing without me. This isn’t just about poor planning; it’s about deep-rooted habits and beliefs I’ve carried for years about work, success, and failure.”
Alhassan Iddrisu, Ghana: “Realizing that stress doesn’t always show up in the mind first—it often starts in the body. I’d never fully paid attention to how my body responds to pressure until now: tight shoulders, shallow breathing, irritability… all signs I’ve been ignoring. Key Takeaway: I’m going to incorporate intentional breathing exercises into my daily routine—morning, midday, and evening. Just a few minutes to center myself, check in with my emotions, and respond to stress.”
Kundayi Matarisee, Zimbabwe: “My key takeaway was that the way we start our day (morning ritual) can help prevent stress or create it. We should wake up with enough time to be mindful, eat, relax, and set our intentional plans for the day.”
Chrispinus Wafula Simiyu, Kenya: “My Key takeaway today is Reset. Renew. Release. Every human being needs to rest to function at their full capacity. Rest is not a luxury, it’s a necessity.”
Rose Kahambu Tuombeane, DRC: “As for me, my Aha moment is about the steps to better boundaries, and which part of me is showing up right now.”
Bibek Kandel FCCA Nepal: “My key takeaway today was understanding the impact of hidden stress, how stress triggers us, how to retrain and rewire our brains, and how to persist in life.
Mary Punnoosee, India: “My aha moment was on focusing my efforts on ‘time awareness’ rather than ‘time management’, being aware of how my body and mind work at different times of the day and setting my work priorities accordingly. “
Chris Jarred:” Today’s class offered practical and insightful tools for managing stress and enhancing overall well-being. My Aha Moment: I realized that breathing is the cornerstone of stress management. It’s something we often take for granted, yet when done consciously and intentionally, it becomes a powerful tool to reset the nervous system, improve clarity, and cultivate inner peace. “
The NGO Whisperer® Global Fellows, Class of 2024
Elvis Nshimba: Democratic Republic of Congo “I had this [health and wellness] conversation yesterday with our Coordinator. He was worried about the hard work I’m doing currently. This session is helping me to review my daily plan and create time to relax and recharge!”
Isaiah Khasiani: Kenya “I didn’t know health and wellness is such a significant element in organization management, I am empowered.”
Adrian Katesigwa: Tanzania “This was a wonderful session, I have learnt a lot, and I will be sharing the same with my team, my wife and my kids.
Adrian Katesigwa: Tanzania “Thanks for the formative session, I’m now knowledgeable on how to act and react to different people with different personalities. I will use this knowledge to gradually develop our organisational culture.
Adrian Katesigwa: Tanzania “Today’s session was very useful as usual. For NGOs like ours, which are in the early stages, this session is helping us prepare a Health and Wellness plan that will set a benchmark for when we hire more project staff in the future. I really appreciate you.”
Khasiani Isaiah: Kenya “Developing the right mindset is crucial to our health. Thank you for empowering me about my health.”
Anne Ishaku: Nigeria “Educative and engaging session!”
Vaishali Pai: India “Thank you very much for the wonderful knowledge sharing @Steve Puterman @sheryl. It will bring about a definite change in the way we think and address issues of everyone, including ours.”
Kalimalwayo Mwakasungula: Malawi “It is clear to me now that I never appreciated how much food connects to the state of my mind and body. Thanks so much, Steve and Sheryl.
Yesigye Bravo: Uganda “The best food is food for the mind! Thank you for the mind-blowing training you have given us.”
The NGO Whisperer® Global Fellows, Class of 2024
Loveth Iyonawan: Nigeria “You gave us a life-changing experience. This is transformative. I plan to pass it on to my organization and those I lead. Thank you so much, Steve and Sheryl.”
Vusumuzi Ndlovu: South Africa: “Thank you Steve Puterman and Sheryl Puterman for such a profound presentation that made me look inwardly and change my eating habits … my health is my wealth.”
Ruby Motaung: South Africa “Thank you to Steve and Sheryl for speaking life to me. Change has to start with me!”
Mr. Ts’epang Matsietsa: Lesotho “Sometimes we take things which can support us to perfectly do our job well for granted, like our health. Today I have learned how important it is to take care of our health. This has been one of the most important sessions I have attended!”
Koru Foundation: India“I am going to use today’s learning for personal development as well as to develop moral resources for our organisation.”
Koru Foundation: India “Today’s session changed my understanding and perception of health. Thank you so much.”
Torkwase Kate Yaji: Nigeria “When you achieve self-awareness, you start to manage your emotions and responses to various situations more effectively. That is my Aha moment”.
Torkwase Kate Yaji: Nigeria “I sincerely thank you for the insightful session on food patterns and mindset. Your guidance has been incredibly valuable and enlightening. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and helping me better understand these important concepts”
Torkwase Kate Yaji: Nigeria “Thank you, Steve and Sheryl! I truly appreciate the positive impact of your sessions. Your guidance and support have been invaluable, making a significant difference in my life. I’m grateful for the time and expertise you’ve shared. Your sessions have been informative, engaging, and empowering, and I’ve learned so much from both of you. I look forward to more sessions with you.”
Luyando Muchimba, The NGO Whisperer® Global Fellow, Class of 2023, Zambia
“Despite my organisation being a mental health one, and everyone working within it having the necessary training, I learned how important it is to have a health and wellness policy for everyone. It is the small things that we often overlook that can make a big difference, and this is something that I realised during the programmes.”
Diana Byali, The NGO Whisperer® Global Fellow, Class of 2023, Uganda
“I came to appreciate that health and wellness are necessities in our daily lives. Prioritising these aspects is especially important at my organisation, Giving Hope Foundation. We have implemented a weekly wellness session at work where we gather to check in on each team member’s well-being and discuss how we can support one another. This initiative has also provided an opportunity for personal growth through a mental wellness programme.”
“The Health and Wellness Masterclass taught me to be intentional about making sure my cup is full before serving others. I joined the fellowship not fully aware that this was a gap I had as a leader. Since applying all that I have learnt – I have noticed a significant improvement in the quality of my work. I am able to identify when I need to take a step back and take care of myself.”
Catherine K. Mongella, The NGO Whisperer® Global Fellow, Class of 2022, United States
“The Health and Wellness Masterclass helped me to overcome stress-related issues that I was going through before the Fellowship Programme.”
Yael Uzan-Tidhar, The NGO Whisperer® Global Fellow, Class of 2022, The Kingdom of Eswatini
“The Health and Wellness Masterclass taught me to prioritise self-love. I am now making intentional decisions about my health. Previously I could not sleep well, but now I put everything down when my alarm indicates it’s time to sleep. I have better moods and well-balanced emotions. I am a better person today.”
Kajuju Kimathi, The NGO Whisperer® Global Fellow, Class of 2022, Kenya