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On 3 March 2016, The Ministry of Education released the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) results. We were very pleased to learn that Winnie passed her exams and achieved the marks she needed to qualify for a place at university. The Kickstart team are proud of Winnie for her achievements, which have come about from her own hard work and dedication to her studies. She is truly setting a great example for the girls at Olturoto Childrens Village (OCV) and is a brilliant role model. In December 2015, we announced that Winnie had accepted a paid position at OCV, after high school, as a tutor to the girls and was learning admin and computer skills before she starts university in September 2016. To read more about Winnie's journey with Kickstart, click here  Winnie passes high school exams - gains place at university.

You may have read about Winnie’s, one of our older beneficiaries, and her amazing journey in an article A Reflection from the Frontline of Hope by one of Kickstart’s directors Daniel Street. Winnie has been under Kickstart’s wings since she was nine years old and she recently completed high school. We are overjoyed to share that Winnie just joined the team at OCV as a tutor as she waits to start university in 2016! What an amazing story of courage and transformation. From being a beneficiary herself to impacting lives of other girls in similar circumstances  she was in. Whilst at OCV, Winnie will help the children with their homework on a day to day basis as well as provide extra tuition in English and Maths. The girls have taken well to her and are so excited to have a “big sister” to look up to. To them, Winnie is more than just a tutor. She represents  the positive trajectory their lives will take as a result of their interaction with Kickstart. In Winnie, they can witness the sheer possibilities of a transformed life ahead of them as they continue to journey with us. Indeed, Winnie is a symbol of promise and opportunity. During her time at OCV, Winnie will also get exposure to basic office duties and will also attend part time computer classes in preparation for her University studies.

Kickstart is pleased to welcome Esther Kingori as the new Farm Manager at Olturoto. Esther Kingori is an agronomist with 15 years’ experience working within the agricultural industry in Kenya including nine years at horticultural giant East African Growers where she held various positions and managed over 100 acres of land at various farms within the company. Esther brings on board her expertise growing various crops and herbs for export and local consumption e.g. snow peas, sugar snaps, chilies, French beans, sage, thyme, basil, watermelons, onions, tomatoes, cabbages, capsicums, cauliflower, broccoli and sweet corn. She has also successfully managed her own 31 acre farm. Esther's primary role will be to ensure that the farm is operating at optimum profitability in order to attain financial sustainability will which allow us to support the children at Olturoto. She will also ensure consistent supply of vegetables and fruits for the home contributing to the children's nutritional wellbeing. Esther has joined the team in Kenya at a critical time as we prepare to take in additional children in 2016. The farm remains a significant focal component of our sustainability strategy in the operations in Kenya. We believe Esther has the right skills, attributes and technical knowledge to make a difference. We wish her the very best as she continues to settle in and look forward to seeing great results on the Farm.

Kickstart Board Director Daniel Street has written about his personal experience working with Kickstart in a moving essay titled A Reflection from the Frontline of Hope. The essay provides a unique look into the experiences of the kids that have been helped by Kickstart and the work that Kickstart is continuing to do. In particular, Daniel explores Winnie's journey with Kickstart, from a nine year old orphan in a slum in Kayole to an 18 year old young woman in her final year of high school looking to the future and her aspirations of becoming a doctor and helping others. Click here to read the essay. About Daniel: Daniel Street works in Global Economics and Strategy for the private-sector arm of the World Bank, International Finance Corporation, in Washington, D.C. He has served on the Australian Board of Kickstart Kids International Ltd since 2013.

Kickstart Kids International has today released its 2014 Australian and UK Annual Reports. In addition, we have permission from our Kenyan development partner, Nanga Organization, to also release its 2014 Annual Report. We warmly invite you to browse these reports where you will find information on our overseas aid activities, our performance and corporate governance structures. If you have any questions or require further information about Kickstart Kids International’s corporate governance, please contact us. Annual Reports: Kickstart Kids International Limited (AU) Kickstart Kids International UK Nanga Organisation 

Kickstart recruits experienced Programme Manager for Olturoto Children’s Village Kenya, May 2014 Kickstart Kids International, in local partnership with Nanga Organisation in Kenya, today announced the appointment of William Odipo as Programme Manager for Olturoto Children’s Village (OCV). Joining from Koinonia Community Kenya, William will manage the day to day activities at Olturoto Children’s Village primarily responsible for the care of the children and driving the reintegration programme to ensure each child finds a permanent home after OCV. His initial focus will be to build a local team of qualified matrons and support staff. James Woodward, Chairman and Founder, commented: “Our commitment to provide the best practice quality of care for orphaned and disadvantaged children is only possible with a high calibre team in Kenya. We are assembling a staff of experienced people who share our vision and William’s solid experience in child welfare, counselling and psychology, as well as his deep understanding of the local community, makes him a perfect fit. We are pleased to welcome him to the Kickstart family.” William has a strong background in programme management initiatives that support the reintegration of orphaned and vulnerable children into family environments. During his career, William has managed a team of seven responsible for over 500 children, coordinated the reintegration of over 100 children back to their families and has worked strategically with key stakeholders including governments, charities, educational institutions and community organisations. At Kiononia, William implemented the Children’s Act of Kenya 2001, the Charitable Children’s Institutions Regulations 2005, The African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of a Child and the United Nations Conventions on the Rights of the Child. Speaking about his move, William said “I am enthusiastic about Kickstart’s sustainable approach [...]