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About us

About
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Mission
We work hand in hand with East African communities to break cycles of poverty and build sustainable, equitable futures.
vision

We’re building towards a future where each of our East African partners can thrive and become beacons of inspiration that radically shift the inequities in our world.

Through community-led transformation, we forge deep relationships with local leaders to understand each community's underlying needs and how we can work together to remove barriers to prosperity. From access to basic needs, quality education, and income-generating opportunities, we combine our diverse strengths to realize each community's unique vision for a brighter future.

Together, we aim to inspire a global community that leverages the power and importance of community-led transformation to secure fulfilling, equitable, and sustainable futures for all.

Founded in 2007

Take what you know and do good

The Humanity Share did not begin in a boardroom—it was humbly founded on a friendship between two people who knew that, together, they could create something positive.

In 2007, professional ballerina and founder Kristin Naylor spent nine weeks living in Ongata-Rongai, an informal settlement in Kenya. Kristin served alongside her host parents, Mary and Peter, at the two day-schools they had founded for vulnerable children in their community. As a result of those experiences and relationships, Kristin chose to take action against the inequities she witnessed.

Through a mutual friend, Kristin met Pastor John Kiroka, a pastor in Ilbissil Village. Pastor Kiroka’s community did not have access to a clean water source. He knew that securing access to this resource would unlock a multitude of opportunities. Kristin took action by living out a simple principle: Take what you know and use it for good. Upon returning to the U.S., Kristin gathered her dance company and put on a performance to fund a clean water project in Pastor Kiroka’s village.

Pastor Kiroka’s leadership and vision, partnered with Kristin’s passion and gift of dance, created a spark that ignited a team of volunteers across the US, Kenya and Ethiopia, committed to bringing a relationship-driven, holistic approach to poverty alleviation in East Africa.

Where we are today

We invest in people before solutions

To this day, we maintain our grassroots spirit by “taking what we know and using it for good.” We listen to community leaders and work together to creatively and resourcefully address each community’s unique needs.

Our team includes staff in Kenya, Ethiopia and the US, as well as an international network of volunteers. We have 45 partnerships with local NGOs, schools, and village communities. We share a passion to shape a world in which dignity and equality are realities for all.

Our approach to poverty alleviation is as unique as the communities we serve. Our holistic three-part strategy addresses access to basic needs, quality education, and sustainable income. Each program is tailored to a community's unique vision, skill sets, and resources. This approach promotes ownership, dignity and pride within each community.

Where we are headed

Our passion makes us unstoppable

Over a decade of experience reveals that our relationship-rooted, community-led approach is both efficient and effective. And because we know that change is possible, we plan to invest seven million dollars by 2030.

In addition to clean water, education, and income-generating opportunities, we are also investing in mentorship, counseling, and leadership development within our partner communities. As our programs expand, we will develop and support local conferences, alumni groups, and women’s leadership networks as a way of generating long term community-led transformation.

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Who We Are

Our Leadership

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Kait TenHarmsel

CEO, BOD
USA
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Saige Benavides

BOD, Chairperson
USA + Australia
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Elizabeth Shuel

BOD, Inkuseron Village Womens Leader
Kenya
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Duncan Sakimpa

BOD
Kenya
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John Kiroka

BOD Chairperson, Founding Partner
Kenya
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Priscilla Santiya Ngotiek

BOD, Oloomunyi Village Womens Leader
Kenya
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Eleni Lulesgad

Program Coordinator
Ethiopia
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Neddy Nanjowe Dingili

Program Advisor
Ethiopia
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Kibru Kena

Country Director
Ethiopia
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Emily Miller

Advisory BOD
USA
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Luke Nichols

BOD
USA + Australia
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Tristan Lindnar

BOD
Australia
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Dane Yoder

BOD
USA
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Tsega Teka Wari

Financial Manager
Ethiopia
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Terefe Getachew Haile

Program Manager
Ethiopia
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Chief Joshua Kaaka

BOD, Chairman County Peace Committee, Former Principal Chief of Maasai Tribe
Kenya
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Klein Nettoh

Humanitarian Storyteller
Kenya
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Katie Prins

Operations Coordinator
USA
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Makena Mugambi

Education Program Coordinator
Kenya
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Birkuti Hadero

BOD
USA

Our Community Leads

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Nathan Wangila

Agriculture Teacher, Alale Girls School
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Helen Ntosho

Inkuseron Village Womens Leader
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Chief Ruth Saroni

Assistant Chief, Enkutoto Village
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Chief Christine Neboo

Assistant Chief, Inkuseron Village
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Dickson Kaaka

Village Peacekeeper + Water Committee Chair, Oloomunyi Village
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Moses Kilasho

Village Pastor, Enkutoto Village
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Maureen Pashile Sikinan

Program Manager
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Michael Ndambuki

Program Coordinator

Our Volunteers

Lauren Wier

Partner Engagement + Event Coordinator

Connor D'Heilly

Video Production

Lauren Korb

Event Coordinator

David Korb

Event Coordinator

Nicole Berkstresser

Video Production + Education Program Coordinator

Megan Sather

Marketing + Event Coordinator

Brenna Bricker

Event Coordinator

Jenny Favor

Education Program Coordinator

Sara Gotschewski

Marketing

Janeallison Ng

Marketing + Creative

Sara Korber-DeWeerd

Copy Editor + Writer

Brianna Creed

Grant Manager + Monitoring and Evaluation

Maureen Dollard

Event Coordinator

Yasya Polyakova

Marketing + Event Coordinator

Grace Ganley

Fundraiser, Grace for Dignity

Tom Armington

Grant Manager

Jamison Taff

Event Coordinator
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