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Events

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Volunteer Team Leader

Prof Karambu Ringera

Born and raised in Meru, Kenya, Dr. Karambu earned her Ph.D. in intercultural communication in 2007 from the University of Denver. She earned a Master’s Degree in Media from Natal University, South Africa in 1999, as well as a Master of Theological Studies (with a peace and justice emphasis) from the Iliff School of Theology in Colorado in 2003. She received her Bachelor of Education degree (1980) and Postgraduate Diploma in Mass Communication from the University of Nairobi (1997), Kenya. Dr. Karambu is also an Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, USA in the Sustainable Peace program.

Dr. Karambu is the 2022 DIAR 4th Edition Awards recipient in the awards category: Diversity and Inclusion Peace and Cohesion Champion Award. She is also the 2019 Global Impact Award recipient; the 2019 Mark Wilhelm Award for Courage of Convictions; a 2016 Cordes Social Entrepreneurs Fellow; a 2015/16 Next Generation Leader Fellow of the McCain Institute for International Leadership, USA; the 2015 Life Achievement Award and 2015 Master Scholar Award winner, University of Denver, USA; and the 2012 African Achievers Award, UK – for her cutting edge work in innovative and sustainable models of development & peacebuilding, women’s human rights , children’s rights and global leadership programs around the world.

Dr Karambu is the founder and president of the Tiriji Foundation (TF); International Peace Initiatives (IPI); and the founder: the Amani Children’s Homes (ACHs), the New Generation Leaders (NGL) program; and Tiriji Eco Centre; and co-founder, the Practical Permaculture Institute, Mount Kenya Region. She is the Eastern Africa region Gender Equity and Reconciliation coordinator and is an international facilitator and Training of Trainer with Satyana Institute, USA.

She brings the wealth of experience in the humanitarian world as a board of director of Naledi Initiative and a key advisor to the Naledi Initiative Team.

Volunteer Team Leader

Moses Munene

Moses is a highly skilled strategic management expert with a proven track record of driving organizational success and delivering results.

Over the years, he has worked across various sectors, utilizing his extensive knowledge in strategic planning, operations management, and leadership to enhance business performance. His experience as a seasoned administrator has equipped him with the ability to effectively manage teams, streamline processes, and navigate complex organizational structures. As a volunteer at heart, Moses dedicates much of his time to causes that he holds dear. His passion for giving back to the community is reflected in his ongoing involvement in NALEDI INITIATIVE where he sits as a Board member as well as the Administration and Logistics Director. In addition to his professional and volunteer work, Moses is deeply interested in several key global issues. He is a strong advocate for cancer awareness, using his platform to educate and support initiatives aimed at fighting this disease. He also actively promotes environmental conservation, recognizing the critical need to preserve our planet for future generations. A tech enthusiast, Moses is constantly keeping up with emerging trends in technology. He is particularly intrigued by advancements in the Internet of Things (IoT) and how these innovations are shaping the future of industries and society.

His curiosity for new technologies aligns with his forward-thinking approach to management, allowing him to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving business landscape.

When he’s not working or volunteering, Moses enjoys traveling and reading. These hobbies have helped him gain a broader understanding of different cultures, perspectives, and global trends, which he applies to both his personal and professional life.

Volunteer Team Leader

Peter Mutwiri

Volunteer Team Leader

Evans Muthomi

Evans is a passionate young data analyst and research enthusiast with about 5 years of experience in designing, planning, implementing and monitoring community projects.

He believes in inclusive sustainable community-led programmes for impactful long-lasting progress and development at the community level. With strategic utilization of data and research for better outcomes, use of available resources, and sharing findings with other relevant stakeholders.

His dedication to community empowerment led him to join Naledi Initiative as the data officer, he is responsible for streamlining data processes and documentation for the organization.

He is a graduate with a bachelor’s degree in community health and development and is in the process of pursuing a master’s in international health. He is also a monitoring and evaluation officer for MECAWE, which is an organization running various programmes in Meru.

Volunteer Team Leader

Mutuma Ngeera

Volunteer Team Leader

Lucy Kagendo

Volunteer Team Leader

Patrick Gichuru

A Kenyan Registered Nurse (RN) with 11 yeats of working experience. During these years he has worked for various hospital within Kenyan and he has served deligently.

Patrick has heart for the society especially the less fortunate and for 2 years while working in one of dryest part of Kenya Mandera county in North Eastern walked for several kilometres to offer immunization services to children of under years in the community settlement. He also played a key role in giving nutrition support to malnourished kids, pregnant and lactating mothers different locations.

He joined Naledi Initiative right from its inception and all through he has been taking part in planning and implementation of Naledi pragrammes which is a platform to give back to the society by touching their lives offering health services to communities for free.

Volunteer Team Leader

Mercy Kendi

Mercy is the current managing director at MECAWE, with wide range of experience in community engagement and development.

She is passionate in community service to a point of being offered an opportunity as one of the presenters in 2023 Regional Research symposium held in Kigali – Rwanda

She is a Master’s Degree student at Kemu and training as a Transition Coach under CTAA program offered by CAFO based in the USA. She is a graduate of Meru University, with a BA in Commerce.

Mercy worked with Compassion International as a Children Trainer and Social Worker, USAID/ Bio-Intensive as Project Coordinator and MESPT as office administrator.

Mercy is a mum of one girl and a foster mum of two girls.

Volunteer Team Leader

Jacqueline

Jacqueline worked in the Ministry of Health at Meru Teaching and Referral Hospital for 5 years and she is currently nursing services manager at Kanyakine Sub-County hospital in Kenya.

She holder bachelor of science in Nursing/Midwife with 12 years of experience (5 years’ experience with NGO and 8 years with Government Facilities). She is Passionate on community health, Reproductive Health, Promoting health in the world. She has worn a national award as a champion in provision of Family planning methods through the (Kenya Obstetrical and Gynecological Society/ Federation of International of Gynecologists and Obstetricians) KOGS/FIGO Initiative Program. She also has influence in development of National Nurses Scope of Practice and great power of influence in her leadership in Obstetric and Community Health Departments.

Volunteer Team Leader

Joyce Njeru

Joyce, a registered and licensed Senior Nutrition and Dietetics Officer with the Kenya Nutrition and Dietetics Council, holds a Diploma in Community Nutrition and a Bachelor of Science in Foods, Nutrition, and Dietetics.

Currently pursuing a Masters in Public Health (Human Nutrition), she specializes in Maternal Infant and Young Child Nutrition, Dietary diversification, Food and nutrition security, and Nutrition in emergencies. An advocate for rural women and children, Joyce promotes dietary diversification and food security through organic kitchen gardening, emphasizing grow bags and small animal rearing for both sustenance and income.

She passionately champions breastfeeding and contributes her expertise in malnutrition screening during medical camps. A dedicated activist, she leads initiatives against gender-based violence, female genital mutilation, forced and teenage marriages, and advocates for girl child education.

Joyce plays a pivotal role in capacity building for Community Health Volunteers, facilitating crucial linkages between the community and Public Health Hospitals through the Naledi Initiative.

Volunteer Team Leader

James Njiru

James njiru Is a clinician with over ten years in medical care with super training in diabetes and hypertension training and management of patients He is doing administration and operations running of hospitals Having worked at St Mary’s Langata. St Mary’s Gilgil Lifecare grp of hospitals Meru doctor’s plaza Specialize plaza machado He has volunteered in Rotary club Meru current president nominees Volunteered in naledi initiative He his a holder in diploma in clinical medicine and surgery Bachelor degree in health systems management Current ongoing masters in project management at Kemu University. Currently head of clinical services lifecare Meru.
Volunteer Team Leader

Senan Kawira

A registered CPA (K) with ICPAK and certified accountant, she works at PSK Associate as part of the auditing team.

Holding an MBA (Finance) and BCOM (Finance) from Meru University, along with a higher diploma in Business Management from the Kenya Institute of Management, she possesses a comprehensive financial background.

Passionate about community work, she serves as the finance officer for the Naledi Initiative, leveraging her finance management skills and ongoing engagement capacity. Applying her expertise as an accountant and auditor, she combines evidence-based methods with community input to enhance the livelihoods of vulnerable women and girls

Volunteer Team Leader

Neesha Velani

“The story of your life is written with kind words, helpful hands and a loving heart”.
I am a yoga teacher (YTT 200 & RYT 500) and teach in-person classes around 45km radius of Nanyuki, Kenya. My teaching approach is known for it’s challenging power yoga postures yet inclusive for every level; skillful sequenceing and with a sense of humour, creating a perfect balance. I weave authentic, applicable yoga philosophy, designed to help connect deeply with body, mind, breath and soul. I aim to cultivate gratitude, encouraging people to appreciate the gift of embodiment and to approach life with an open heart and mind.
I am an outdoor enthusiast who lives in yoga pants, hiking backpack and a standby bicycle. Since 25 years, I’m an ACE certified group fitness trainer, health coach and personal trainer and specialist in clinical exercises for cancer patients. I have been a student of A Fresh Chapter Amplify Program, which gives us the tools for a support system to help people step beyond their stories of cancer. I was born into a family with the gift of compassion and kindness and I extend that in my everyday life.
My day starts with taking my 8 rescue dogs for a walk, greeting the other domestic animals and local community on the 7km walk and finishing with a freshly brewed cup of Kenyan coffee. I dedicate my full energy and enthusiasm, throwing out the rule book, towards fundraising for various projects at Naledi Initiative.
Founder, The Naledi Initiative

Robert Murithi

Robert Murithi Kamwara serves as a transformational facilitator, dynamic teacher and powerful mentor, inspiring emerging leaders who carry revolutionary visions for uplifting their communities and their lives. He has a passion and dream for unifying people from all walks of life in service, socio-economic growth, personal growth and healing. Robert is the first born among 10 siblings in a polygamous family; six biological siblings and four step-siblings. He was born in Tharaka Community, one of a marginalized community in Kenya, which is a vastly dry and stony area. At the age of 9 years, Robert, his mother and five biological siblings were chased away by his father so that he could marry a second wife who would be an educated wife compared to his own mother who never went to school. He moved with his poor mother and desperate siblings far away and settled in a grass-thatched mud-walled hut, which later was swept away by floods. The family made a nearby tree their house for a couple of weeks before being offered accommodation by a good neighbor for three months. Robert dropped out of school for two years to help his stressed mother whose little two babies were malnourished, weak and unable to walk. They subsisted through sand harvesting and charcoal burning. He and his little siblings could go for days without a meal. It reached a point of desperation when Robert gathered and hunted wild fruits and animals for their meals, sleeping in the streets in the nearby Marimanti market. Robert lost his mum through cervical cancer and became the father and mother of his siblings while still in school. His only two sisters got sexually abused and got pregnant when they were teenagers. This became a big wound in his heart. His sisters were forced to drop out of school to care for their babies; yet another setback for Robert and his struggling young family. Besides all these challenges, Robert was the first to complete primary school level in his entire family lineage and first to join university his community through sponsorship by well-wishers. Robert Murithi Kamwara is currently perusing Ph.D. in Business Management from Meru University of Science and Technology, He earned a Master’s Degree in Business administration from Meru University of Science and Technology 2016. He received her Bachelor of commerce (2013) at Meru University of Science and Technology and Diploma in Business Management from Kenya Institute Management 2009. Robert M. Kamwara is the recipient of 2023 Male Champions Award for Women’s Right Advocate from Leading Women of Africa in Johannesburg-South Africa. He is also the recipient of Best Impact Rotary International District 9212(Kenya, Ethiopia, South Sudan and Eritrea) 2021/2022 Award on Cervical Cancer project in Kenya. He has been also been recognized as OUTSTANDING Assistant Governor of the year of Rotary International District 9212 (Kenya, Ethiopia, South Sudan and Eritrea) at Addis Ababa -Ethiopia 2022/2023. In 2016, Robert founded the Naledi Initiative, a non-profit Community Based-Organization. This initiative is a support system for women, addressing issues such as gender-based violence and emotional healing; healthcare for village communities; women’s social-economic empowerment and community peace building programs. As an advocate of health equity and justice for all, Robert stands against female genital mutilation, forced marriages, and champions free cancer screening for marginalized communities. Using his academic background and life experiences, Robert has designed effective community engagement and empowerment models, grassroots organizing programs, conflict reconciliation initiatives, and proactive health campaigns. His focus is on vulnerable rural communities in Meru and Tharaka communities in Kenya. His approach is to foster a sense of empowerment and self-discovery. Through the Naledi Initiative, Robert endeavors to champion community well-being, illuminating a path of hope and dignity for all. He has undertaken many remarkable physical challenges as a tool for advocacy cancer awareness and importance of early detection through screening, including the summit the highest mountain(Mt. Kilimanjaro) in Africa; the summit of second highest Mountain (Mt. Kenya) and cycling long distances in aid of cervical and breast cancer prevention awareness and screening to rural communities of Kenya. “I like to think of myself as a ‘regenculture’ space holder; a healing and a champion of community well-being by empowering grassroots people, especially vulnerable women, youth and rural communities challenged by disease, violence and poverty to reclaim their dreams and voices again”.