CHAT - A Typical Day (2016) - Northern Nanyuki slums
Shanni Wreford-Smith – Founder & Program Coordinator
Initially from Mt Elgon in western Kenya, “Shanni” founded the Mpala Community Trust and the Nomadic Communities Trust, which would amalgamate to become Communities Health Africa Trust (CHAT). These Trusts evolved due to her growing concern about the degradation of Kenya’s natural environment. She is strongly pro-life and pro-choice for all Kenyans, and she recognized that managing population growth and protecting the environment were one and the same. She shaped CHAT to become a vehicle to bring under-served communities in Kenya access using a holistic approach to family planning/contraception. She recognized this as a prudent solution for the current environmental issues and a desperately needed service that mitigates horrendous and unnecessary suffering and poverty (especially in women and children).
Initially from Mt Elgon in western Kenya, “Shanni” founded the Mpala Community Trust and the Nomadic Communities Trust, which would amalgamate to become Communities Health Africa Trust (CHAT). These Trusts evolved due to her growing concern about the degradation of Kenya’s natural environment. She is strongly pro-life and pro-choice for all Kenyans, and she recognized that managing population growth and protecting the environment were one and the same. She shaped CHAT to become a vehicle to bring under-served communities in Kenya access using a holistic approach to family planning/contraception. She recognized this as a prudent solution for the current environmental issues and a desperately needed service that mitigates horrendous and unnecessary suffering and poverty (especially in women and children).
Rose Kimanzi – Projects & HR Manager
Rose is a married mother of three. Originally from Kitui, she has been with CHAT for over 8 years. She is certified in Monitoring & Evaluation (M & E) from Nairobi University and AMREF International. She has a certification in HIV/AIDS Counseling & Testing through the Liverpool Training Institute. She received her diploma in business management - majoring in Human Resource Management, from the Kenya Institute of Management. She also received her degree in Business Management & Leadership-majoring in Business Management & Administration from the Management University of Africa
She is the village gauge marker for farming, a vibrant church choir member, and an ordained leader of the church’s women’s group.
Rose is a married mother of three. Originally from Kitui, she has been with CHAT for over 8 years. She is certified in Monitoring & Evaluation (M & E) from Nairobi University and AMREF International. She has a certification in HIV/AIDS Counseling & Testing through the Liverpool Training Institute. She received her diploma in business management - majoring in Human Resource Management, from the Kenya Institute of Management. She also received her degree in Business Management & Leadership-majoring in Business Management & Administration from the Management University of Africa
She is the village gauge marker for farming, a vibrant church choir member, and an ordained leader of the church’s women’s group.
Violet Otieno M&E & Asst Project Officer
Violet is a mother of two sons and a daughter. She has been with CHAT for over 8 years, initially volunteering with them for one year. Violet holds a diploma in Social Work from the Kiambu Institute of Management and is currently pursuing a Degree in Social Development from the Kenyatta University .
Her passion is to add value and uphold high standards of integrity in the development sector in order to help people escape poverty. She enjoys swimming and is the village champion!
Violet is a mother of two sons and a daughter. She has been with CHAT for over 8 years, initially volunteering with them for one year. Violet holds a diploma in Social Work from the Kiambu Institute of Management and is currently pursuing a Degree in Social Development from the Kenyatta University .
Her passion is to add value and uphold high standards of integrity in the development sector in order to help people escape poverty. She enjoys swimming and is the village champion!
Onesmus Muema - Media and Field Coordinator
Onesmus is married and a father of two sons from Kyulungwa in Kitui County. He started working for CHAT in March 2017 as a Field Coordinator based in Samburu. He has a Bachelor of Development Studies graduating from Mt. Kenya University and has a Diploma in Medical Lab Technology.
Apart from being a HIV/AIDS Tester & Counselor (HTC), he is also a Pastor and peer educator. He enjoys watching and playing football with his sons.
Onesmus is married and a father of two sons from Kyulungwa in Kitui County. He started working for CHAT in March 2017 as a Field Coordinator based in Samburu. He has a Bachelor of Development Studies graduating from Mt. Kenya University and has a Diploma in Medical Lab Technology.
Apart from being a HIV/AIDS Tester & Counselor (HTC), he is also a Pastor and peer educator. He enjoys watching and playing football with his sons.
Demoriah Kililiku - Financial Manager
Demoriah is single and supports several children from her home village in Kitui County throughout their schooling.
Prior to joining CHAT, Demoriah worked for World Vision, Caritas Malindi, Action Aid and the Kenyan Ministry of Finance. A Certified Public Accountant, Demoriah received her Bachelor's Degree in Commerce & MBA from Kenyatta University. Besides being a gospel music fan, Demoriah is passionate about accountability and transparency, recognizing them as mitigating factors towards alleviation of poverty amongst very vulnerable communities.
Demoriah is single and supports several children from her home village in Kitui County throughout their schooling.
Prior to joining CHAT, Demoriah worked for World Vision, Caritas Malindi, Action Aid and the Kenyan Ministry of Finance. A Certified Public Accountant, Demoriah received her Bachelor's Degree in Commerce & MBA from Kenyatta University. Besides being a gospel music fan, Demoriah is passionate about accountability and transparency, recognizing them as mitigating factors towards alleviation of poverty amongst very vulnerable communities.
Lucy Lenges - Financial & Procurement Officer
Lucy is married and a mother of two children. Lucy earned her Certification as a Public Accountant, Level 2. She has been working for CHAT for over 10 years, and is passionate about maintaining high levels of integrity and accountability in all that she does.
Lucy grew up near Nanyuki on the slopes of Mt Kenya. In her spare time she enjoys listening to music.
Lucy is married and a mother of two children. Lucy earned her Certification as a Public Accountant, Level 2. She has been working for CHAT for over 10 years, and is passionate about maintaining high levels of integrity and accountability in all that she does.
Lucy grew up near Nanyuki on the slopes of Mt Kenya. In her spare time she enjoys listening to music.
Anne Mwinzi - Nurse
Anne is married and a mother of five. She has been with CHAT since 2010. A certified Enrolled Community Health nurse from the Mathare Mission Hospital in Kitui County, she is passionate about patient care and has previously held positions at the Muhale Mission Hospital, the Mutomo Mission Dispensary as well as the Kamuongo Mission Health Centre.
She is a certified HIV/AIDS counselor and tester, and has also received a Family Planning Certificate from the Kenyan Ministry of Health. Originally from Waita, she likes dancing to traditional folk songs.
Anne is married and a mother of five. She has been with CHAT since 2010. A certified Enrolled Community Health nurse from the Mathare Mission Hospital in Kitui County, she is passionate about patient care and has previously held positions at the Muhale Mission Hospital, the Mutomo Mission Dispensary as well as the Kamuongo Mission Health Centre.
She is a certified HIV/AIDS counselor and tester, and has also received a Family Planning Certificate from the Kenyan Ministry of Health. Originally from Waita, she likes dancing to traditional folk songs.
Peter Motonu Obino- Mobile Clinic Driver & Outreach Camp Manager
Peter is married & a father of 4. He has been with CHAT since 2009. A certified professional driver and motor vehicle mechanic, Peter previously held positions at ASAL Development, SARDEP and Vital Camel Milk. Peter is passionate about assisting under-served communities in order to help alleviate poverty.
It is agreed by the whole CHAT team that Peter has to be one of the most cheerful and good natured people we know!
Originally from Manga in Kisii County, he likes to read the bible and listen to music during his free.
Peter is married & a father of 4. He has been with CHAT since 2009. A certified professional driver and motor vehicle mechanic, Peter previously held positions at ASAL Development, SARDEP and Vital Camel Milk. Peter is passionate about assisting under-served communities in order to help alleviate poverty.
It is agreed by the whole CHAT team that Peter has to be one of the most cheerful and good natured people we know!
Originally from Manga in Kisii County, he likes to read the bible and listen to music during his free.
Paula Murira- Field Monitor & Social Media Manager
Paula is a married mother of one and lives in Nanyuki, Kenya. Paula attended the Kenya Institute of Management where she majored in Project Management, obtaining a diploma. She previously worked at Vumbua Arts gallery as a gallery assistant. Paula has now been with CHAT for a period of three years, initially having started with CHAT as a volunteer.
In her spare time she is a keen farmer.
Paula is a married mother of one and lives in Nanyuki, Kenya. Paula attended the Kenya Institute of Management where she majored in Project Management, obtaining a diploma. She previously worked at Vumbua Arts gallery as a gallery assistant. Paula has now been with CHAT for a period of three years, initially having started with CHAT as a volunteer.
In her spare time she is a keen farmer.
Justus Kioko- Projects Administrator
Justus is single and has been with CHAT since 2019 when he joined as a volunteer for about a year. He holds a first-class honors degree in Business Management (Project management option) from Kirinyaga University.
His passion is engaging in youth-empowerment activities which he does during his free time. Besides being passionate about writing, Justus also enjoys singing in church.
Justus is single and has been with CHAT since 2019 when he joined as a volunteer for about a year. He holds a first-class honors degree in Business Management (Project management option) from Kirinyaga University.
His passion is engaging in youth-empowerment activities which he does during his free time. Besides being passionate about writing, Justus also enjoys singing in church.
Sue Norris- Finance Comptroller (Part Time)
Sue has been with CHAT since 2012. She has 4 children and 10 grandchildren and lives in Katuni estate near Buguret in Laikipia County. Being passionate about accounting you will always find Sue doing accounting jobs from her home.
Proudly a Kenyan native, Sue attended Thomson's Falls School, Limuru Girls' School and the Kenya High School. She likes to walk her dogs in the afternoons and also attends Christian meetings when free.
Sue has been with CHAT since 2012. She has 4 children and 10 grandchildren and lives in Katuni estate near Buguret in Laikipia County. Being passionate about accounting you will always find Sue doing accounting jobs from her home.
Proudly a Kenyan native, Sue attended Thomson's Falls School, Limuru Girls' School and the Kenya High School. She likes to walk her dogs in the afternoons and also attends Christian meetings when free.
Diana Hague- Finance Comptroller (Volunteer)
Diana has been with CHAT for over 8 years. Previously, she worked as an assistant accountant in the aircraft industry. Hailing from Yorkshire, England, Diana is married and she is passionate about animal rescue. She is a Certified Fellow Member of the Association of Accounting Technicians in the United Kingdom. Presently Diana’s home is in Crete, Greece.
Diana has been with CHAT for over 8 years. Previously, she worked as an assistant accountant in the aircraft industry. Hailing from Yorkshire, England, Diana is married and she is passionate about animal rescue. She is a Certified Fellow Member of the Association of Accounting Technicians in the United Kingdom. Presently Diana’s home is in Crete, Greece.
