Wandia (3)

Wandia Chiuri, is a social media specialist, an avid reader, and fledgling social entrepreneur. She has worked in the sales divisions of two major corporations, Medtronic Inc. and Eli Lilly and Company and serves on the boards of two non-profits, Alliance for Pharmaceutical Access and Heroes Against Diabetes in Africa (HADIA). She has successfully launched several social media initiatives, including a pioneering pilot at Lilly utilizing high touch, low cost technology to increase productivity and retention with the Gen Y. She spent her formative years at Maji Mazuri Center where she developed a passion for women empowerment. Quick to see the possibilities of new ideas, she has cultivated a reputation around her investigative, interested and inventive nature. She is currently focused on the advancement of women entrepreneurs and professionals around the world by providing access to top tips and tools in the Web 2.0 era through Vfirefly.com.

Don Cely (1)

....is a film and video producer living in Atlanta, GA USA. His experience includes working on a number of Hollywood films, television shows and countless training videos and TV commercials. In 1986, Don travelled to Kenya to spend a few weeks videotaping shows for a US program, PM Magazine. The beauty of the country and its noble people made a lasting impression, and Don jumped at the chance to become involved in Maji Mazuri by editing footage provided by Kevin Corcoran and the Maji Mazuri Youth Groups.

Janet Wambui (4)

Janet Wambui is currently working as an administrative assistant at the Maji Mazuri Children’s Centre head office. Since January 2006, she has been working with the head office team to facilitate the smooth running of the organization. Her duties mainly include keeping and updating project inventories, assisting the program director and project coordinator, processing reports and is now the supervisor of the Maji Mazuri Reporters Network. Janet’s passion for children has driven her to get more involved with the teens group and the talent program. Her background knowledge in information technology provides the needed insights into tech projects.

Lauren Fogarty (1)

I developed a passion for social change in the developing world while on a trip to the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2000.  Since then she has been involved with several social activism projects and has traveled to Africa, South America, and Central America to help be a part of a solution.   She has worked with Maji Mazuri since 2004, when she spent 5 months in Kenya living with Wanjiku and working at the Maji Mazuriprojects.  While her background is in marketing, she has recently graduated with a Master’s degree in International Policy from New York University’s Wagner School of Public Service where she focused on the issues of post-conflict transitional justice and gender equality in Africa. Though she is currently awaiting the birth of her first child, her hope is to use this degree to help create economic stability and social equality in the developing world.  Lauren Fogarty

Taylor Harper (3)

Taylor is an attorney in Atlanta, Georgia. Between trips to the courtroom, he spends his time reading, hiking, and fishing. A few years ago, Taylor spent four months volunteering in Nairobi. The visit left him awestruck from the generosity of the Kenyan people; inspired by their determination; and, more than anything, content with a sense of real hope, not just for Kenya, but for the world over.

Kevin Corcoran (3)

Kevin's passion and genuine commitment to Maji Mazuri is insupassable. His strategic depth and attention to detail have been crucial for growth and expansion of Maji Mazuri's undertaking. Kevin has Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Economics from London University and an MBA from the University of Chicago. His 35 years of business experience include 10 years with McKinsey and Company, the international management consultants, living and working in Europe, Africa and the Middle East, and over 20 years with the owners of C & A, the largest privately held apparel retailer in the world. With C & A and its associated companies, Kevin held a number of senior positions including Chairman and CEO of retail chains, divisional president of a number of US divisions, and member of the US Board. He has lived variously in London, Toronto and Atlanta, and also worked extensively in Latin America. He is President of Maji Mazuri USA Inc., a non-profit 501 c 3 organization that he founded in early 2005 to raise funds for, and awareness about, Maji Mazuri in Kenya. In its first four years, Maji Mazuri USA has raised over $700,000 while incurring total expenses of less than 1% . This year we are on track to raise over $200,000.

Naomi Van Stapele (3)

Wanjiku Kironyo (2)

Wanjiku Kironyo is the unflinching founder of Maji Mazuri Center.  Maji Mazuri, which means 'good water' in Swahili, has been working for over 25 years transforming the lives of hundreds  in the Mathare Valley slum and beyond. Under her courageous leadership and against all odds, the center has morphed into the epiphany of hope in a desolate place, establishing a micro business loan program,  head start school, youth project, two academic institutions, an organic farm and more.

Wanjiku's dream has always been to make a genuine difference in her homeland but it was the sight of an old woman hanging onto the feeble rafters of her crumbling shack to escape the forceful flood of an unexpected downpour that sparked her into immediate and irreversible action.  With only passion for a plan she left her prestigious position as a professor at the university and set off to found Maji Mazuri, a grassroots program which means good water. 25 years later this transformative center impacts over 400 people daily and boasts numerous successful program participants. With dedicated volunteers from around the world and a focus on empowerment, the center is now poised to build a 30,000 square foot community center on 5 floors to bring together all these programs, and more, under one, safe and secure roof.

Lark Bui (0)

Lark Bui is an IT professional living in Atlanta, GA USA.  He specializes in IT infrastructure and ERP systems design. He is also a first generation Vietnamese American.  His first real interactions with Maji Mazuri came in 2004 where he spent several weeks traveling to Kenya and South Africa.  On the trip, he was able to tour dozens of adoption groups, children's homes, and other charitable agencies.  After visiting Maji Mazuri's various projects, he was touched and inspired by the organization's accomplishments, but even more so by the holistic and fundamental approach taken to solve the root of social issues afflicting the people.  Upon returning to the United States, he and his wife established Maji Mazuri's first web presence at http://www.majimazuri.org.  He continues to serve as web master and technology adviser to the Maji Mazuri team