New staff marks a new year for Hatua Likoni

October saw 6 new people join the Hatua Likoni team, marking an exciting new year for us. Having filled the positions that were identified as necessary for Hatua to grow, we can now expand our work and take Hatua to the next step.

Joining the team are Evans Omondi as Resource Center Coordinator, Winnie Muthina as Mentoring and Career Guidance Coordinator, Austin Walker as Research Coordinator, Grace Ochieng’ as Development Coordinator, Peter Mashauri as Volunteer Coordinator and Heather Alice as Communications Coordinator.

Omondi is a Likoni resident who holds multiple single-subject diplomas from the Institute of Commercial Management. He hopes to increase Hatua’s presence in the community through events and workshops at the library, to improve library services and to work towards its self-sustainability as a business venture.

Winnie has lived in Likoni since 1999 but was born in Kitui Central. Professionally a counselor trained in HIV/AIDS management, she hopes to bring her counseling experience to develop the mentoring and career guidance program for Hatua students.

Austin is from Maine, USA, and recently graduated from Hamilton College with a degree in International Development and Social Justice. He hopes to use his skills in conducting surveys to develop a well established database for Hatua’s research.

Grace comes from Nyanza, Kenya, where she is founded of the New Vision Sewing Group. She joins Hatua with a degree in Government and Global Studies from St. Lawrence University, New York. She hopes to increase Hatua’s financial standing in order to increase school attendance among Likoni students.

Peter is a Likoni resident. He has a diploma in Sales and Marketing and a certificate in Accounts and has previously worked in the Financial and Media sectors. He hopes to bring his skills and experience of business and sales to develop Hatua's volunteer program.

Heather is from the UK and recently graduated from SOAS, London with a degree in Swahili and Development Studies. She hopes to expand Hatua’s online presence and develop visual media in a way that harnesses voices from the community.

This month we also said a temporary ‘goodbye’ to Priscillah as she left for three months’ maternity leave. She has given birth to a beautiful baby girl, Chantell, who we warmly welcome into the Hatua family! We wish her a special and happy time for these precious months with her new baby and look forward to her return in January. Taking her place is Masika, a Hatua student who has been working with Priscillah for the past three months during her gap year between finishing school and going to university.

Despite the minor setback of having no power in the office for the first 3 weeks of October, the team is excited about the year ahead and has spent these weeks planning how to grow Hatua!