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.

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.