MEET THE TEAM TUESDAY - JULIUS MAINA
Julius Maina was born on October 10, 1982, to Silas Muriithi Reuben and Nancy Wambui in Karurina, Embu County. He is the eldest of six children.
In 1991, Julius began his education at Itambua Primary School, starting later than usual for a child in Kenya, who typically begin school at age six. He completed his Kenya Certificate of Primary Education in 1998. The following year, he moved to the Kiambogo area in Kijabe to live with his aunt and enrolled at Kiambogo Secondary School. He graduated with his Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education in 2002.
Due to financial challenges, Julius could not attend a tertiary institution. Instead, he committed himself to casual work in and around Kijabe. During his time there, he joined the Full Gospel Church, where he met Jane Wambui. They married in 2007 and were blessed with four children: Jecinta Wambui, Beth Wangari, Mitchell Muthoni, and Mary Nyokabi, aged 14, 12, 10, and 6 years respectively.
In 2014, while working as a cook in a small town called Magina, Julius met Winfred, a supervisor at our Green Pastures center, who was visiting the café for tea. Intrigued by her interactions with local children, he learned about Little Lambs from her. Julius expressed his desire to serve at Little Lambs, and in 2015, an opportunity arose for him to take care of the organization's milk-producing cows. After the cows were sold, Julius transitioned to the role of groundsman, maintaining the compound and garden, a position he holds to this day.
MEET THE TEAM TUESDAY - JANE KABIRU
Jane Muthoni Kabiru was born on April 12, 1978, to the late Joseph Kairu and Mary Nyambura as the fifth of fourteen children in Kaptama, Kinale.
In 1982, her family moved from Kaptama to Sasimwani, Narok County, where Jane joined Sasimwani Primary School in 1990. Although she began school late due to financial constraints, she persevered until grade 3. Unfortunately, her education was interrupted by tribal clashes that displaced her family from their land. They sought refuge at a friend’s home in Rare, Njoro, Nakuru County, until 1994 when they relocated to Ndunduri, Nakuru County.
During this time, Jane worked as a casual laborer on farms. In 1998, her father bought land in Gilgil, Nakuru County, where the family finally settled permanently. Jane, however, remained in Nakuru town, where she had found employment as a house help in 1998.
While working in Nakuru, Jane met Anthony Warutere. They married in 2000 and have been blessed with four children: Viel Gathoni, Mary Ann Nyambura, Richard Muriithi, and Janet Wacera, aged 22, 15, 10, and 5 respectively. After her marriage, Jane left her job and started a small business, which she struggled to maintain until its closure in 2002.
In 2004, through her friendship with Wilson’s daughter, Jane began assisting with cooking and cleaning at Little Lambs Nakuru, an organization founded by Wilson. She was soon hired as a full-time cook, a position she has held ever since.
MEET THE TEAM TUESDAY - ELIZABETH WAMBUGU
Elizabeth Wanja Wambugu was born in 1965 to Habal Mwaura and Hannah Wanjiku, as the firstborn in a family of six children, in Timboroa, Uasin Gishu county. She does not know her exact birthdate.
A few months after her birth, Elizabeth's family relocated to Uganda to start a business selling secondhand clothes and farming. In 1973, while still in Uganda, she joined Namangonjo Primary School until 1975 when she was in grade three. Following a coup to overthrow the government, her family had to flee back to Kenya. They settled in the small town of Mumias in Kakamega county and continued their business. Elizabeth joined Muira Primary School, starting in grade four, and sat for her Certificate of Primary Education exam in 1978. Unfortunately, financial difficulties prevented her from continuing her education.
Elizabeth stayed at home, taking care of her younger siblings and managing household chores. During this time, she met Joseph Wambugu, and they married in 1984. They were blessed with a son, Habal Mwaura, who is now 39 years old. After marrying, Elizabeth moved to her husband’s rural home in Laikipia county, where they made a living from farming.
In 2000, Elizabeth separated from her husband due to domestic violence and relocated to Nakuru town, where she was hosted by her stepbrother. She soon found employment as a cook at a construction site for three years until the project was completed. With the money she had saved, she ventured into farming by leasing land until 2016 when the landowner terminated the lease.
As she was deciding her next steps, Elizabeth heard from a neighbor that the Little Lambs Center needed a cook. She went to the center and volunteered to help with cooking since she had no other commitments. She was later officially incorporated as a cook, a position she currently holds.
MEET THE TEAM TUESDAY - ANN WAHITO
Ann Wahito Nguro was born on October 2, 1984, to Peter Nguro and Mary Wanjiru in Nakuru town. She is the fifth of eleven children.
Ann started her education at Langa Langa Primary School in Nakuru in 1991 and earned her Kenya Certificate of Primary Education in 1998. In 1999, she joined Flamingo Secondary School and attained her Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education in 2002. Although she performed well in her final exams and qualified for tertiary education, financial difficulties prevented her from continuing her studies.
Fortunately, an organization called New Life enrolled her in a free tailoring course at their institution in Nakuru town from 2004 to 2005. Despite completing her training, Ann struggled to find a job related to her skills immediately. She returned home and took on casual jobs, doing laundry for people until late 2006, when she was employed as a tailor at Bedi Investment Company. She worked there until the end of 2007 when the post-election violence erupted, causing the company to close down since Nakuru was one of the hotspots.
During the two-year break between high school and joining New Life, Ann was blessed with a baby girl named Michelle Wanjiru, who is now 20 years old. Although she did not marry Michelle’s father at that time, she later married him, Stephen Macharia, and they were blessed with two more children, Peter Maina, 8 years old, and Liam Nguro, 8 months old.
Following the challenges of post-election violence and the loss of her job, Ann stayed at home and opened a small grocery store in a makeshift kiosk on the roadside in her neighborhood. She ran it in the evenings even after joining Little Lambs in 2009.
In 2009, Ann heard that Little Lambs, located near her home, needed a teacher at the Nakuru Center. Despite being untrained, she was readily accepted due to her dedication. In 2014, Little Lambs sponsored her to complete an Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) Program, and she graduated with a diploma in 2016. She continues to teach at Little Lambs to this day.
MEET THE TEAM TUESDAY - MACHARIA SAMUAL
"Machaa," a native of Kijabe, Kenya, was nurtured in the town where his mother was and still is a vegetable vendor. From a young age, he could be spotted assisting his mom, hauling vegetables around town. It was during these formative years that Elaine Barnet, the visionary behind Shepherd’s Little Lambs, took a keen interest in Machaa. She not only encouraged his academic pursuits but also fostered his spiritual growth in his relationship with Jesus.
Elaine played a pivotal role in ensuring that Machaa had the opportunity to attend college in Nairobi. At that time, Shepherd’s Little Lambs had already been established. During school breaks, Machaa would return to Kijabe and spend time with Elaine and the other children under her care. Upon completing his degree in accounting and business, he was presented with a promising job in the city. However, after prayerful consideration, Machaa declined the offer, choosing instead to become the national director of Shepherd’s Little Lambs.
In 2016, Machaa tied the knot with Gracie, and they established their home in the valley below Kijabe. Gracie works in an administrative role at the local hospital and has a delightful passion for baking. Presently, the couple is joyfully raising their two daughters, Janelle and Elsa.
We consider ourselves immensely blessed to have Machaa at the helm of Shepherd’s Little Lambs, leading the impactful work on the ground in Kijabe and Nakuru.
MORE RAIN, MORE DEAD
With additional news of continued rain and more dead a happy post seemed to be out of place this week. We have first hand reports of more rain and another mudslide. This one in Kimende, a village above Kijabe. Our first hand report tell us that 3 were buried alive. News reports say 5 have been killed.
Please pray that the rain stop now and that the healing and rebuilding can begin. So many have lost so much that it breaks our heart.
MEET THE TEAM TUESDAY - SUSAN
Let me introduce you to Susan Wangari, an incredible soul and a vital part of our Shepherd’s Little Lambs team. Born on November 23rd, 1961, in the serene Rikia forest of Nakuru County, Susan is the fifth of 12 children born to the late Francis Wanderi and the late Agnes Muthoni.
Susan's educational journey began at Rikia Primary School in 1973, where she showed great promise. Despite facing financial constraints, she completed her Certificate of Primary Education in 1979. However, her path took a turn when she had to leave Mau Narok Secondary School in her junior year of high school to care for her ailing mother and support her family's café business.
In 1986, Susan welcomed her daughter, Rachel Njeri, into the world with her boyfriend, George Kuria. Though they didn't marry due to familial circumstances, Susan poured her love into raising Rachel, cherishing every moment they shared until Rachel's passing in 2013.
Susan's resilience and strength carried her through life's challenges. In 1990, she found employment at the National Cereals and Produce Board, where she crossed paths with her future husband, Justus Kinyua. Their union was blessed with two sons, Francis Muriithi and Kevin Wanderi, who continue to bring joy into their lives.
In pursuit of new opportunities, Susan moved with her husband to Nakuru in 1999, where she ventured into entrepreneurship, running a clothing and later a fruit stall at the local market. Despite facing setbacks, Susan remained undeterred, channeling her energy into community projects and making a difference wherever she could.
It was through her involvement in community work that Susan's path intersected with Shepherd’s Little Lambs. Bonding with Gladys, the center supervisor, Susan found herself drawn to the organization's mission of nurturing and nourishing vulnerable children. In 2005, she officially joined the Little Lambs family as a cook, later stepping up to replace Gladys as the supervisor in 2006—a role she holds with pride and dedication to this day.
Susan's journey is a testament to her resilience, compassion, and unwavering commitment to serving God and others. Let's celebrate Susan for her remarkable contributions to Shepherd’s Little Lambs and the community at large!
BURYING THEIR DEAD IN MAI MAHU
No words are adequate….
MUD, MUD EVERYWHERE
Today we had a WhatsApp video call with Machaa and his wife Grace. Machaa and Grace seemed in good spirits as we chatted and are very grateful that they are safe. We are also grateful that no additional loss of life is reported.
The rains continue though there has been some sunshine. The forecast is for better weather soon. The situation in Kijabe is muddy to say the least. The paved road from the escarpment to Kijabe has lost a lot of its tarmac but is navigable. The dirt road from Kijabe down to the valley where Machaa and family live, is completely impassable. They now walk from the valley to work in Kijabe each day. For those of you who have been there that is no small feat.We are often astounded by the resilience of the Kenyan people.
We are waiting until the weather improves to do a final assessment of the damage to Little Lambs grounds. We know we lost some fence posts to erosion and the gravel road to our grounds will need significant repair.
Please continue to pray for the families devastated by recent events. Also pray that the weather clears and meaningful progress can be made on clean up efforts.
We will keep you posted. If you would like to assist with the clean up financially you can make a onetime gift by clicking this GIVE button.
What’s left of the road surface at the junction by the gas station in Kijabe
Some silt and water made in under one of the bay doors at KPG. Michael is working to clear the mess.
This is the mud covered road between the high school and KPG.