February 2025

Eight months into leading WeSeeHope, one thing is clear: real, lasting change starts with deep, locally driven solutions. From my first day, I’ve been focused on strengthening these foundations – ensuring our work is built to last.

We’re sharpening how we measure success, share our story, and scale our impact — all with one goal: lifting more children from extreme poverty, strengthening communities, and driving lasting change. The road ahead is ambitious, but our momentum makes this an exciting time for WeSeeHope.

WHAT HAS STOOD OUT THE MOST TO YOU?

The resilience and drive of the communities we work with. Their innovation, determination, and leadership are the true catalysts of change.

Our role at WeSeeHope is to act as an investment partner – providing the right capital, whether financial, social, or knowledge-based, to accelerate their progress. We don’t just support programmes; we co-invest in locally-led solutions. By channelling resources in this way, we help unlock communities’ ability to strengthen their own economic and social resilience, driving long-term, self-sustaining change.

A key pillar of WeSeeHope’s success has been the unwavering commitment of our supporters. Over the years, we’ve built a strong network of individuals, businesses, and philanthropic partners who believe in this approach to investing in impact. Entrepreneurs, in particular, have deeply engaged with our mission, recognising that sustainable development is not about short-term aid, but long-term, strategic investment.

This mindset is especially evident in our Village Investors Programme (VIP), where communities pool resources and build financial resilience through community banking. The entrepreneurial approach to poverty alleviation aligns directly with our vision, proving that when people are equipped with the right tools, they can drive their own lasting change. But this support extends beyond financial contributions — it’s a true partnership, built on shared values and a mutual commitment to seeing children and communities thrive. Their continued investment fuels our ability to scale, innovate, and create impact that lasts for generations.

HAVE YOU EXPERIENCED ANY NOTABLE CHALLENGES SO FAR?

Eight months is a long time in today’s world—so much can shift. We are working in an environment where the need is growing, but resources are becoming more scarce. The evolving financial climate means organisations like WeSeeHope must continually adapt to shifting funding priorities and donor engagement.

One major trend we’ve seen is an increasing focus on addressing challenges closer to home. This is understandable and necessary—communities everywhere are facing urgent social and economic pressures. But this shouldn’t be a zero-sum game. We can — and must — support local challenges while maintaining a global perspective that ensures children everywhere have access to safety and opportunity.

A key challenge in my first months has been balancing financial sustainability with scaling our work. The demand for our programmes is immense, and we have proven solutions that work. But responsible growth requires discipline — ensuring every expansion is financially sound, effectively measured, and deep-rooted in community ownership.

This is where entrepreneurial thinking and investment principles are essential. Growth for growth’s sake isn’t the goal; strategic investment is. We must channel resources into high-impact education and entrepreneurial initiatives while cultivating partnerships with funders who understand the power of long-term, catalytic investment in communities.

WHERE DOES WESEEHOPE FIT IN TACKLING POVERTY?

Today, 333 million children live in extreme poverty — over 70% of them in Sub-Saharan Africa. This isn’t just a statistic; it’s a call to action.

Our mission is clear: to equip children, families and communities with the skills and opportunities they need to lift themselves out of poverty and build a better future. We do this by investing in:

• Education initiatives that empower children with the knowledge and resources to shape their own futures.
• Entrepreneurship programmes that enable young people and families to achieve financial independence, creating stability for generations to come.

By focusing on sustainable, community-led change, we ensure that children don’t just escape poverty but thrive, and can build futures filled with hope, opportunity, and security.

HOW HAS LIVED EXPERIENCE INFLUENCED YOUR LEADERSHIP?

Lived experience builds cultural fluency, trust, and deep contextual understanding. As a Kenyan with close ties to the communities we serve, I can connect meaningfully with stakeholders and strengthen relationships.  But proximity alone isn’t enough to drive the lasting change we seek.

My leadership at WeSeeHope is defined by expertise, execution, and long-term vision — where lived experience adds depth, but strategy and action create impact. The strength of WeSeeHope lies in balancing deep community connection with high-level strategy, ensuring our work endures beyond my time.

WHAT IS YOUR VISION FOR WESEEHOPE‘S FUTURE?

Reach more children, deepen our impact, and strengthen our network of allies to expand our interventions where they are needed most.

Our mission remains unchanged: to support children living in extreme poverty, advocate for them, and drive sustainable change in their communities to create an environment that allows them to thrive. My role is to bring my experience, energy, and skills to add value, ensuring that every initiative we support is equitable, impactful, and lasting.

It is a privilege to lead WeSeeHope — an organisation fully aligned with my passion for transformative, community-led change. The work ahead is ambitious, but with the right partnerships and strategic vision, we will continue to grow.