About Amboseli Children's Fund

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world, indeed, it is the only thing that ever has” ~Margaret Mead

I love this quote. It speaks to me of what is still possible; changing lives of those less fortunate. The Amboseli Children’s Fund grew out of a desire to do just this.

In 2012, I went on safari in Kenya. During the tour they took us to a few of the Maasai villages…

I was so overwhelmed by the disadvantages inherent to a 3rd world county, that upon return to the US…

As it turned out, I actually had a former Maasai warrior working for me. His name was Leonard Mpaayo…

Leonard spends approximately 7 months a year in Kenya – overseeing our program, schools and kids…

It has been a good partnership thus far; we understand we can’t change the world, but “education for one mtoto (child) at a time” is feasible…

“My name is Linet, and my passion is supporting students and watching them grow and thrive as I guide them through life skills and provide counseling on CBC pathways, career, and program choices.

When I first met Shari, I was impressed by her kind and giving heart for children in need. As I grew to know her, I became familiar with the integrity and principles of ACF and knew it was the right place for me. Together, we strive to create a learning environment at Lenkai Christian School where students are loved, seen, and valued. Additionally, as an Affiliate Trainer with Trauma Free World, I train teachers and support staff on Trauma-Informed Caregiving.

I am also a Nutritionist with a special interest in maternal and child health, believing that a balanced diet is essential for growth and disease prevention. I love God, enjoy sharing His word, and find immense joy in helping children blossom into their God-given talents.

Currently, I am pursuing a Bachelor of Business Management (HR option) at Mt. Kenya University. On a personal note, I am married and live in Kimana with my three children.”

“I firmly believe that while none of us can change the whole world alone, we can change the world for one child, and that is where lasting change begins.”

My journey with Amboseli Children’s Fund began in an unexpected but meaningful way. While representing Cara Projects as a Male Champion and Youth Advocate at the 2026 International Menstrual Health and Hygiene Summit, I learned about ACF and its commitment to transforming children’s lives through education, care, and opportunity. A conversation with Rono from Kenya Works led to an introduction to Kelvin from Ngong Children’s foundation and then to the ACF team. After meeting with board member Sam Bridle and founder Shari Young, I knew I had found an organization whose mission reflected the values I have always carried in my heart.

For me, working with children and communities is more than a profession—it is a calling. Every child deserves to feel safe, valued, and empowered to pursue their dreams regardless of their background. Throughout my journey in community development, youth advocacy, and child protection, I have seen how kindness, mentorship, and education can transform lives. As a Case Manager at ACF, I am honored to walk alongside our learners and their families, helping them overcome challenges while encouraging them to believe in their own potential.

I am deeply grateful to Shari Young and the entire ACF family for believing in me and welcoming me into this mission. I look forward to growing with the organization, serving with integrity, compassion, and humility, and making a lasting difference—one child, one family, and one community at a time. 

“Education is not a way to escape poverty, it is a way of fighting it.”.
~ Julius Nyerere

Prior to retirement, my professional background in engineering and business management in the chemical industry allowed me to travel internationally and see first hand the plight of the poor in developing countries. I have not had the opportunity to visit Kenya but was right across the border from Amboseli NP in 2017 while climbing Mt.

Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. Little did I know then that I would soon start donating to an educational nonprofit in Kenya!

Being the first college graduate in my family has made me a strong believer in the power of education to improve lives. I consider myself a lifelong learner and am continually surprised by the unexpected doors that are opened by the simple act of learning!

The donor base for Amboseli Children’s Fund (ACF) has literally been built by word-of-mouth from the ground up by its’ cofounder, Shari Young. Soon after meeting Shari, I realized she was on a mission to lift the Maasai near Amboseli NP out of extreme poverty. Her core concept of educating Maasai children to break their generational cycle of poverty clearly resonated with me. Shari’s nonprofit model in which every donation flowed through ACF directly to fund the education of children convinced me to become a sponsor in 2020.

Since becoming a sponsor, I have observed from afar the growth of the younger students in the ACF program. Helping to give them hope for the future has been very rewarding personally.

One of the real strengths of the ACF program is that it extends past high school into post-secondary or university level education. When the opportunity arose to get involved in mentoring the university students, I volunteered to take on this new role. Part of it has been a bit like reliving my college days without having to go to class or take exams! But honestly, working with college age Maasai students to help them learn new life skills and see them on the cusp of breaking through to a vocation or career is very motivating.

The potential for ACF to branch out beyond education and more fully support the Maasai people is enormous. By building on the strong foundation that Shari Young and Leonard Mpaayo have established, ACF is now poised to have a greater impact on the Amboseli Maasai standard of living. My goal is to support that expanded mission in the best way that my time and treasure will allow.

For Maasai each day is forever and the “Now” is what they live in. I became a board member for Amboseli Children’s Fund in 2014. I have served on various boards and much of my focus has been advocating for victims of domestic violence and human rights.

Yet when I traveled to Kenya with Shari and experienced first hand the difficulties facing Maasai children I felt compelled to get involved with ACF as well. All of my time is voluntary; we do not take compensation for our efforts.

Like many before me I was not prepared for the lack of any infrastructure and basic necessities in Maasailand. The needs of the Maasai are many and cannot be solved with just handouts. That doesn’t mean we cannot help. Our solution (which is not original) is to help children help themselves as in the long term this is so more effective. We can assist by giving a “hand up” one child at a time.

At ACF we believe that education is the key to a better future for Maasai children. Quality education is lacking in the Amboseli region and because of the cost and distance it is out of reach for most Maasai families. It is hard to attract teachers to locations that do not have the facilities to support a modern life; to harsh environments that people outside the tribe are not used to; often there is no electricity or running water. In addition the salaries paid are very small. This is why the private academies we work with provide a much better curriculum and in turn a better education.

We believe our program provides the skills, knowledge and tools to help children get the kind of education that enables them to attend high school and beyond.

Changing lives, one child at a time.My journey with ACF began with a chance opportunity to travel to Africa with Shari when Basia was unable to make the trip. At the time I could not have imagined that this seemingly simple bit of luck would change my view of the world and my place in it.

In preparation for leaving I imagined the scenery and the wildlife we might encounter while there, the people, the smell of the air, the possible dangers and of course the unexpected surprises.

Once there a new reality quickly began to emerge. I found myself drawn to the kids, drawn in a way I could not have possibly predicted. I knew in advance that these were children who come from a life of poverty we as westerners can’t begin to imagine.

When we get up each morning we simply flick a switch and there’s light, we turn a handle and lo and behold…. water. When we open the door to go outside we don’t have to look around to see if a lion is hiding in the bush, life for us is pretty easy. None of these things are true for these kids and yet, I was struck by their smiles and happy outlook. No complaints, no whining, just a sense of wonder about us and a happy joyful outlook towards each other and their strange new guests.

When I agreed to go on this new adventure I had no reason to believe I would get involved in any other way then to simply show up for our departing flight. I couldn’t have been more wrong. Within the first couple of days I began to fall in love with these kids, you really can’t help but be overwhelmed by their laughter and gentle nature. Before the end of the first week I knew that my time and thoughts about Africa and these kids would not end with the flight home.

I sponsor a young girl named Nancy, she is as cute as a button, with a smile that can melt your heart, as it did mine. I will be her sponsor for as long as she’s in school, including University (I hope). We met the first week we were there and when Shari told me she had no sponsor, well, game over. I was in for the long haul -however long and for wherever it might lead, I’ll be there for her in any way I can. We talk and correspond when it’s possible but the truth is I miss her and wish it were possible to be together from time to time but it’s obviously not easy.

The other part of the story and a big part of why I’ve taken on this responsibility, is the way Shari runs ACF. The Integrity of ACF was vital to my participation. All funds collected are used for the education and benefit of the kids, period. The funds to travel to Africa do not come from sponsors or donors. All overhead costs are paid for by Shari, not by collected funds.

You often hear it said that one person cannot change the world. Well, that may be true but what may be more true and just as important is that one person can help to change one small part of it for the better. You can’t grow a field of corn with one seed…. but it’s a start.

“I’m inspired by helping kids and ACF provides Kenyan youth an educational foundation that is important to their future success. I’ve always believed that education is your calling card in life, as it will always help define who you are and the skills you possess.”

Gary’s background is in tech, with a 38 year career as a long time executive at HP. His plan as a new board member is to leverage his tech expertise in a way that will help our partners at Lenkai Christian School build out a “best in class” computer lab. The computer lab will provide Lenkai and students with powerful hardware, specialized software, and equitable digital access that many classroom devices cannot match. In Kenya, closing the digital divide gap is a key educational breakthrough.

Someone once told me that I was rich simply by virtue of being born in America. The more I think about it, the more I realize how true that statement is. We have access to excellent education, comfortable homes, reliable transportation, an abundance of food choices, and so many opportunities that we often take them for granted.

When I was introduced to the Amboseli Children’s Fund and learned about the incredible work Shari Young was doing with Maasai children, I knew I wanted to be a part of it.

A small monthly donation to support my student, Elizabeth, provides her with something that most of us consider a given: an education and the opportunity to choose her own future. Because Elizabeth is able to attend school, she has a chance to avoid female genital mutilation (FGM) and being married off at a very young age. Education is opening a door to a world far beyond what she has known—a world where food is plentiful, where homes have electricity and bathrooms, and where water doesn’t require walking miles and miles each day just to meet the basic needs of her family.

In 2024, I traveled to Kenya and saw firsthand the challenges facing the Maasai people and how little support many communities receive. I also witnessed the incredible difference the Amboseli Children’s Fund is making in the lives of so many children and families.

Elizabeth and I exchange letters, sharing stories about our lives and how she is doing. Through those letters, our worlds—though thousands of miles apart—have become a little smaller.

It is incredibly rewarding to look beyond ourselves and reach out to someone who is less fortunate. What may seem like a small gift to us can mean a life-changing opportunity to a child like Elizabeth.

Sometimes, making a difference in the world begins with simply reaching out and touching one life.