HAPPY THANKSGIVING FROM SHEPHERD'S LITTLE LAMBS

Dear Friend of Shepherd’s Little Lambs,

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to you for your unwavering support and generosity. Your contributions have brought hope, education, and sustenance to the lives of many, reminding them of their worth in Christ’s eyes.

May God richly bless you for your kindness and care.

With gratitude,
Shepherd’s Little Lambs

MEET THE TEAM TUESDAY - LYDIA

Lydia Wangari Githinji was born on August 2, 1972, in Kijabe, Kiambu County, as the first of six children to Reuben Karobia and Ruth Njeri. In 1976, her family moved to Mai Mahiu, where her father owned land. She attended Kijabe Primary School, walking from Mai Mahiu daily due to its superior academic performance and her mother’s role as a preschool teacher nearby. She completed her primary education in 1986 and proceeded to Uthiru High School, graduating in 1990.

In 1991, Lydia began working as a casual laborer at Kijabe Printing Press. The following year, she was employed at Kijabe Medical Center, where she met her future husband, John Githinji, a colleague. While working, she pursued professional computing and data processing at Universal Group of Colleges, completing her studies in 1994. Lydia and John married that same year and were blessed with two children, Peris Munga and Samuel Murugi. She is also a grandmother to Ayana Wambui.

From 1995 to 1999, Lydia worked as a secretary at Kijabe School of Nursing, an affiliate of Kijabe Hospital. She later joined Aberdare Creameries in Kikuyu until the company closed in 2001. Following this, she opened a computer bureau offering photocopying and printing services, which she ran until 2009. After her husband was tragically killed in a robbery, she took up a position as an administrative secretary at AIC Kijabe to support her family.

In 2015, Lydia joined the Executive National Board of Little Lambs, later being elected chairperson, a role she still holds. During her time at Kijabe School of Nursing, she also earned a diploma in Personnel and Human Resource Management and Private Secretarial Duties.

MEET THE TEAM TUESDAY - JECINTA KIAGO

Jecinta Waithira Kiago was born on November 7, 1979, to the late Peter Kiago and Jane Kabura, the fourth of seven children in Kamwaura, Nakuru County.

In 1987, Jecinta enrolled at Arimi Primary School in Nakuru, completing her Kenya Certificate of Primary Education exams in 1995. She spent an additional year in primary school, repeating grade eight. In 1996, she joined Machinda Secondary School and sat for her Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education exam in 1999. Due to financial constraints, she could not immediately pursue tertiary education and instead took on casual jobs on farms.

During this period of casual work, Jecinta met Aaron Kamau. They married in 2003 and were blessed with a son, Simon Kinuthia, now 20 years old. However, after five years of marriage, Jecinta separated from her husband upon discovering he had other wives.

Determined to improve her life, Jecinta sought vocational training and enrolled at Nakuru East College, where she earned a certificate in Early Childhood Development Education, graduating in 2010. She began her teaching career the same year at Vio Kim Kindergarten School, where she worked for two years before accepting a better offer at Race Track Junior Academy. After two years at Race Track, Jecinta learned of an opening for a certified teacher at Little Lambs Nakuru. She applied, was shortlisted for an interview, and was ultimately selected as the best candidate for the position. She continues to serve as a teacher at Little Lambs Nakuru to this day.

MEET THE TEAM TUESDAY - GIDEON MUSAU MUENI

Gideon Musau Mueni was born on November 11, 1993, to Emily Mueni as the firstborn in a family of two children in Maingi, Kiambu County.

He began his education at Kiambogo Primary School in 2000 but transferred to King’atua Primary School in 2002, where he had to restart from grade one. He completed his Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) in 2010 and then proceeded to Kiambogo Secondary School, where he obtained his Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) in 2014.

In 2015, Gideon enrolled in a driving school and earned his driving license within a few months, aiming to find a driving job. Due to a scarcity of opportunities, he decided to pursue a career in auto mechanics. In 2016, he attended Kamirithu Polytechnic and earned a Grade 3 certificate in Auto Mechanics within a year. After graduation, he worked as a casual assistant truck driver in Naivasha for two years, but the irregularity of the job led him to return to Maingi.

Upon returning home, Gideon worked as a fruit vendor in the Kijabe and Maingi areas. In 2020, he secured a temporary position as a night security guard at Kijabe Station Management, where he worked for eight months. He returned to fruit vending but later approached Little Lambs, expressing his interest in a night guard position. Although there were no openings at the time, he left his contact details for future consideration.

During his time as a fruit vendor, Gideon met Priscilla Wambui. They dated until early 2022, when they married. The couple has been blessed with a daughter, Emily Mueni, who is now one year old.

In mid-2022, a night guard position became available at GP, and Gideon was contacted. He agreed to work on a trial basis and performed well. Within three months, he was officially added to the GP staff as a night security guard, a position he currently holds.


HOME SWEET (NEW) HOME

When Machaa and Grace married in 2016, they settled in Mai Mahu, a town in the valley below Kijabe. They became active members of a local church, and when their daughters were born, they enjoyed the warmth of the valley and the community. However, the commute up from the valley was challenging due to a rugged, rutted track that could hardly be called a road. During recent rains and flooding, this road became impassable, turning the commute into a strenuous hike.

In late 2021, the international board began considering whether moving Machaa’s family closer to our Green Pastures facility would benefit both the ministry and his family. We conducted research and drafted plans for a small home on Green Pastures land. Although we believed the move could be beneficial, the high costs and a lack of peace about proceeding held us back.

During our visit in June this year, we learned that Machaa had discovered a house very close to Green Pastures that might soon be available for rent. We immediately recognized this as an opportunity, and so did Machaa. They began to pray and prepare, trusting God to work things out.

A few weeks ago, we received word that the deal had been finalized and the move was planned. Last week, we received pictures of the house and the family settling into their new home.

The house is conveniently located on the main road to Kijabe, with a steady stream of Matatus making travel to and from Kijabe, and even Nairobi, easy. It also sits at the top of the road leading down to Green Pastures. Machaa’s daughters, Janelle and Elsa, now spend a lot of time at Green Pastures with the kids and staff, and they’re absolutely loving it!

Once again, we identified a need and made plans, but then God provided an even better solution!

FLOOD DAMAGE UPDATE II - MIND BLOWN

Our last flood update was posted on Tuesday morning, August 20th. On Wednesday evening, a generous "Friend of Little Lambs" informed us that they would provide the remaining funds needed to complete this project. Additional funding has also come in, increasing our confidence in covering any potential cost overruns.

We are deeply grateful to God for His provision and to everyone who prayed and contributed to meet this need.