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.

MEET THE TEAM TUESDAY - ESTHER KAGO

Esther Njeri Kago was born on November 27, 1989, to John Kago and Mary Ann Njambi in Maingi, Kiambu County. She is the third of five children.

Esther began her education at Kijabe Primary School in 1996. Despite repeating Grade 4, she continued her studies there, mainly because her mother was a teacher at the school, until she completed her Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) in 2004. However, she was unable to join secondary school after becoming pregnant in early 2005. At the time, customary practices meant no legal action was taken against Isaac Mwangi, who was responsible for the pregnancy. Instead, he took Esther as his wife. They were blessed with a daughter, Bernice Wangui, who is now 18 years old. Esther lived with her in-laws while her husband worked in Nairobi as a security guard. They later had a second daughter, Mary Ann Njambi, who is now 15 years old.

In 2011, Esther separated from her husband due to his excessive drinking and domestic violence. She took her two daughters and moved in with her elder sister in Nairobi. After five months of relying on her sister, her mother provided her with the capital to start a small café in Kitengela, Kajiado County. Esther ran the café until 2016, when she was reconciled with her husband through the mediation of village elders. She returned to live with him, but by that time, he had quit his job, relying on his sisters for support while caring for their elderly mother. However, the financial assistance was insufficient, and Esther began searching for work.

In 2016, she found temporary employment at Little Lambs GP, where she was hired as a cook to prepare meals for the construction workers building the new GP facility. After the construction was completed, she returned home.

In 2018, when GP moved to its new location, there was a need for a housekeeper and additional support staff. Recognizing her capabilities, Esther was hired as a housekeeper, a position she continues to hold today.

MEET THE TEAM TUESDAY - PATIENCE KINANGO

Patience Wakina Kinango was born on July 27, 1992, to Danson Kinango and Janet Chari in Mcholo, Taita Taveta County. She is the second of six children.

Patience began her education at Wusi Primary School in 1998. After completing her first Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) exam in 2006, she decided to repeat Grades 7 and 8 to improve her grades. She successfully retook her KCPE exam in 2008. In 2009, she joined Mwambonu Secondary School and completed her Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) in 2012.

While waiting to join college in 2013, Patience took computer courses at a local cyber café. Later that year, she enrolled at Sunrise Teachers Training College to pursue a certificate in Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE), which she completed in 2014. However, due to delays in other courses, she did not officially graduate until 2017. During this period, she began working as an ECDE teacher at Church of God Academy in Athi River, where she taught until 2018.

In 2018, Patience enrolled at Ayan Teachers Training College in Kitengela for a diploma in Early Childhood Education. Her studies were extended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and she graduated in 2021.

In 2015, while teaching at Church of God Academy, Patience entered into a relationship and became pregnant. Unfortunately, the father disappeared upon learning of the pregnancy. Despite this, she was blessed with a son, Fidel Kinango, who is now 9 years old. In 2018, she met David Chege, and the couple married in 2020. Together, they have two children: Davianna Wanjiku, aged 3, and David Waithaka, aged 11 months.

In August 2022, following a competitive interview process, Patience was hired as a Grade 1, 2, and 3 teacher at Matathia Primary School.

While teaching at Matathia Primary School, Patience learned of a teaching vacancy at Little Lambs GP. Feeling compelled to apply, she did so and was invited for an interview in April of this year. She joined the Little Lambs team shortly after that and was quickly welcomed by all.

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.

FLOOD DAMAGE UPDATE

This past May, we reported on the severe flooding and devastation in and around Kijabe due to heavy rains. At the time, we were aware of some damage to our fence line but were primarily focused on the widespread loss of life and destruction throughout the region.

In June, we took a closer look at the erosion in the ravine behind our building and realized the need to protect our foundation against future similar events. After consulting experts, it was determined that we need to construct a retaining wall capable of withstanding additional flooding.

We recently learned that the cost of this project will exceed $15,000. Before we even had a chance to meet and discuss this urgent need, God provided $10,000 specifically designated for this project. One of our supporting churches, along with one of our donors, took action before we could even ask!

However, we still need at least an additional $5,000, as projects rarely come in under budget in Kenya. If you feel led to contribute to this cause, you can click the "Give" button below and make a special donation.

We are praising God for His faithfulness and are deeply grateful for the generous people He uses to meet the needs of Shepherd’s Little Lambs.

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL KENYAN OLYMPIC MEDAL WINNERS!!

 Gold        Beatrice Chebet            Women's 5000 m

 Gold        Beatrice Chebet            Women's 10000 m

 Gold        Emmanuel Wanyonyi   Men's 800 m

 Gold        Faith Kipyegon              Women's 1500 m

 Silver      Faith Kipyegon              Women's 5000 m

 Silver      Ronald Kwemoi             Men's 5000 m

 Bronze    Mary Moraa                   Women's 800 m

 Bronze    Faith Cherotich             Women's 3000 m steeplechase

 Bronze    Abraham Kibiwot          Men's 3000 m steeplechase

 Bronze    Benson Kipruto             Men's marathon

 Bronze    Hellen Obiri                   Women's marathon

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.