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.
A FRIEND LOSES HIS HOME IN THE FLOOD WATERS
Paul has been a friend of Shepherd’s Little Lambs for years. His full time job is in Kijabe at the children’s hospital. He lives in Old Kijabe Town. When we have a large team Paul is often the driver of the second van. He is welcome addition to teams with his humor and patience.
Pauls family was spared, but his home was swept away by the flood waters early Monday morning.
Paul said, "I am grateful to God that we were able to receive a phonecall in the early hours of the morning and we left the house, alerted our neighbours on time before the floods hit our houses!"
The stories we hear on the news become very real when they hit our friends. Please continue to pray for Paul, his family and others devastated by this disaster.
LITTLE LAMBS NATIONAL BOARD MEMBER LOSES THREE FAMILY MEMBERS IN FLOOD
This morning we learned that Lydiah Wangari Githinji, one of our national board members lost three family members in the flood that swept through Mai Mahiu early Monday morning. Lydia’s younger brother’s wife and one of his children were killed in the flood. Her older brother also lost his wife to flood waters.
The death toll continues to rise as rescue workers search for survivors. Information from people on the ground in Mai Mahui set the numbers at 71 dead and over 110 injured. National and international news outlets have told very different stories. Even the cause of the flood is in dispute.
Here is what we know. Many are gone. Many more are hurting, and the people of Kenya need our prayers!
42 CONFIRMED DEAD IN FLOODING NEAR KIJABE
We received word this morning that the Kijabe dam broke during the night. This sent floodwaters thru Kijabe old town and into the valley village of Mai Mahiu. The death toll at this moment is 42 lives lost. Some Kenyans who work at Rift Valley Academy in Kijabe and live in Mai Mahiu have lost spouses and children along with their homes.
To our knowledge all of our children, staff and their families are safe. Please be on your knees for the people of Kenya and especially those in these flood ravaged towns.
We will update our web and Facebook pages with news as we get it.
We believe this is looking up at the ravine through which the floodwater came when the dam burst.
When the dam burst is cause flash flooding that caught everyone off guard.
The floodwaters reached and flowed over Mai Mahiu road.