Meet The Team!
Caroline Newton
I am delighted to be using the skills I have developed over 30 years in industry and project management in my role as Chair of the Board of FKK. Since our inception in 2011 I have had the opportunity to work alongside the community of Kianjai developing projects which empower and uplift the most vulnerable.
As mother to a youngster with a special need I am aware of the unexpected emotional and practical demand this places on families here in the UK, and I feel very privileged to be able to support Special Needs families in rural Kenya who face far greater challenges.
Elizabeth Gichaara
I was born within this community, I attended a village school and trained to be a teacher before starting a family of my own. I am passionate about supporting children and young people with learning difficulties. I am currently living in the UK and meet weekly with a group of like minded Kenyans who support the work of FKK through prayer and regular giving. Seeing the impact of our work within the villages makes me very happy to be involved as one of the trustees of Friends of Kianjai.
Nkanata Mwiti
Over the last twenty years I have worked as a special needs teacher in Tigania west sub county where Friends of Kianjai Kenya have been supporting children with special needs and their families. Before the entry of FKK in this community in 2011 people had a lot of stigma on disability.
As a teacher I used to visit families where I met disabled children tied with ropes behind their houses. Today this is a thing of the past because FKK has helped to eradicate stigma through community outreach projects. I love working with FKK.
Jonathan Gichaara
I am incredibly happy to be a part of FKK as the Vice Chair lending my grassroots knowledge of the Kianjai community in Meru, Kenya. To me this is a great opportunity to give back to the place where I was born having also been a beneficiary of the kindness of many people towards my education. Currently in the UK, I share passionately about the needs of this community and the work of the charity in offering hope and practical solutions. As a church minister, I feel called to doing life changing good through FKK as a shared endeavour among us as friends to transform lives.
Peter Gitonga
I was privileged to join secondary school supported by a Community fundraiser, and later on I trained in community development.
Growing up, I was always passionate and looking forward to giving back to my community, by God's grace I've had that opportunity. Since 2014 I have worked in life changing charity projects, giving hope to the vulnerable population in our community. I'm especially delighted to work with the dynamic, passionate and humble team of volunteers at FKK to deliver help to my community. God bless FKK and her supporters, thanks.
Gladys Gesage
I am Gladys Gesage. I was born in a village in Kisii, Western Kenya. I am a nurse by profession, currently living in United Kingdom. My joy is to see Children with special needs get opportunities to help them in improving their lives. It is a pleasure to be one of the trustees of Friends of Kianjai.
Sally Livsey
I fell in love with Kenya when at 17 I visited a family friend living in the foothills of Mount Kenya. It is a joy to be able to share my skills in Finance and Art-making with this special community. Following an invitation from friends in Kianjai I was able to bring my own son and daughter aged 17 to volunteer with me. Caroline and I have been friends since aged 11 and the energy of friendship has developed so many more wonderful relationships here too. So much has been accomplished! Challenges have been overcome and opportunities grasped by our friends who live here, and to share in this work is a life- affirming gift to me.