Kenya
The Local Advisory Comittee (LAC) is of great importance for the success of our foundation. They are our eyes and ears on the ground and are in close contact with the students in their role as mentors. They monitor the students’ academic progress and provide support and encouragement whenever needed. Many of these young people have lost one or both parents, have parents who do not care for them, or are being raised by relatives who themselves face enormous challenges just to make ends meet. The personal guidance provided by the mentors is invaluable. Their attention and support give these young people confidence, helping them realize that they are valued, that they matter, and that they have a place in the world.
Andrew Nijnga Kimani
LAC member
chair
Alice Waringa Karanja
LAC member
Ann Nduku
LAC member
secretary
Onyango Nicholaus Otieno
LAC member
alumnus KtS
Caroline Ogida Kisato
LAC member
Emily Muriet Tumaina
LAC member
alumnus KtS
Sr. Celia Marcelino
LAC financial coordinator
Andrew
Ans, Chair of Kids to School, has known Andrew since 1997. At that time, he worked as a Health Officer in the Narok region. Nowadays, he is responsible for environmental and waste management in Kiambu County. Through his network, Andrew hears about secondary school or university students who achieved excellent results but whose parents could not afford further education. He brings these students to the attention of Kids to School, giving them the opportunity to continue their studies and build a better future.
Alice
Alice is the founder and director of Community Organisation & Training for Risk Reduction (COTRR). COTRR is a Kenyan NGO that supports communities in strengthening their resilience to poverty, climate change, and natural disasters through training and by guiding local initiatives in sustainable agriculture, food security, income generation, and the responsible management of natural resources. The organization aims to help communities become better prepared for future challenges. As part of its work, COTRR supports and mentors the educational progress of primary and secondary school students. Highly motivated students with strong academic results but without the financial means to pursue further education can receive support from Kids to School, enabling them to continue their studies and build a better future.
Ann
Ann works for Vijana Amani Pamoja (VAP), which means Youth, Peace, Together in Swahili. This Kenyan NGO supports vulnerable young people, particularly those living in the slums of Nairobi, by using sports, education, and talent development as tools for personal growth. The organization helps young people build self-confidence, develop leadership skills, and improve their opportunities for employment or entrepreneurship, enabling them to create a positive future for themselves. VAP also promotes peace, social cohesion, and active youth participation in their communities as a way of combating violence, exclusion, and poverty. Through her work, Ann regularly meets talented and highly motivated young people who have little or no financial means. With the support of Kids to School, these young people are given the opportunity to pursue a quality education and work towards a brighter future.
Nicholaus
Nicholaus was among the first group of students to receive educational support through Kids to School (2008-2013). He has been working for many years at an automobile company in Nairobi and is also an active member of his church community. Through both his work and his involvement in the church community, he comes into contact with families who tell him about talented young people with strong academic results but without the financial means to continue to secondary school after completing primary education. He refers these students to Kids to School, giving them the opportunity to continue their education and work towards a brighter future.
Carole
Ans, Chair of Kids to School voorzitter Ans met Carole in 2015 through Servas (www.servas.org), where she was active as a day host. Carole works as a coach for young people, organizations, and businesses, and was involved in the establishment of Vijana Amani Pamoja (VAP). Thanks to her international experience, including a master’s degree obtained in Australia, she has developed a broad perspective on personal and social development. Through her work and her extensive network, she regularly meets talented young people who are unable to pursue vocational training because of poverty. She brings these young people to the attention of Kids to School, giving them the opportunity to further develop their talents and build a better future.
Muriet
Muriet graduated in 2016 with a Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management, made possible through the financial support of Kids to School. She now works at the Government Office in Kajiado. Through her work, she regularly comes into contact with talented young people who are unable to complete secondary school due to financial difficulties or who, after graduating from secondary school, have no opportunity to pursue further education. When she encounters such motivated and gifted students, she refers them to Kids to School. In this way, they are given the opportunity to continue their education and work towards a brighter future.
Sr. Celia
Sister Celia of the Filipino congregation, The Dominican Sisters of the Most Holy Rosary of the Philippines, has been based in Loitokitok, Kenya, for many years now. Within her Dominican congregation, Sister Celia is involved in the education and guidance of young women who have chosen to become nuns. She is currently serving her second term as the Financial Coordinator of Kids to School Kenya. Through the congregation’s parish community, she regularly comes into contact with vulnerable young people who need support to continue their education. When she meets talented and motivated students whose opportunities are threatened by financial hardship, she connects them with Kids to School, giving them the chance to continue their education and build a better future.
Tanzania
Terri Place Mwandu
Founder and director Baobab Home & Steven Tito Academy
Joseph
Social worker Baobab Home & Steven Tito Academy
Terri
In Bagamoyo, Tanzania, Terri Place leads The Baobab home. This NGO was originally established as a children’s home. However, due to local circumstances, older street children were also taken in during its early years, some of whom were living with HIV. Over time, The Baobab Home has grown into a broader organisation. In addition to the children’s home, the project now includes a self-sustaining farm and an English primary school based on the Montessori philosophy: the Steven Tito Academy. Many of the students at this school are able to continue their education thanks to the support of donors from Europe and the United States.
Joseph
Joseph is a social worker at The Baobab Home and serves as the contact person for students who need additional support to continue their education after primary school. At that stage, Kids to School can provide assistance, as our mission is to improve young people’s prospects for the future through education. Together, Terri and Joseph select the students who receive sponsorship from Kids to School and guide them throughout their further education in Tanzania.
Filipijnen
Sr. Gemma Sobridilla
Sister in the Dominican order
Sr. Gemma
Sisters of the Filipino congregation, The Dominican Sisters of the Most Holy Rosary of the Philippines, have been essentail in the founding of Kids to School in Kenya. You can read more about this on our How it started page. Sister Gemma, the current Filipino representative of Kids to School, is responsible for selecting and mentoring our deserving scholarship students in the Philippines. This work is part of her full-time role at St. Dominic Orphanage. She coordinates, handles administrative responsibilities, and carries out humanitarian work: caring for the children at the orphanage, organizing food programs in local communities, and providing medical assistance to people in need.