Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.
Helen Keller
MUSA HASSAN
Neighbor Kwa Jirani Foundation | Co-Founder
Foundation’s Director
Musa Hassan obtained degrees in Construction Management and Building Engineering from the Technical University of Kenya in 2002. He has worked for Natrola Building and Civil Engineering as a Site Manager and for China Geo International as a Surveying Assistant in the southern part of Tanzania. Musa then started his own construction company which he currently still oversees. In 2013, as someone who has always cared deeply about the most vulnerable in his society, Musa became a Founding Member of the Neighbor Kwa Jirani Foundation and assumed the role of it’s first Kenyan Director. Mr. Hassan is a resident of Riosiri in Migori County and is a practicing Muslim.
JAMES MASENO
School Services
Director
James (Tom) Maseno received his Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education in 1987 from Tabaka High school. After school he followed in his family’s tradition as a soapstone carver selling his works of art in Mombasa. He also trained as a driver at KAA driving school where he became licensed to drive all classes of vehicles professionally. Tom next worked for an American soapstone importer as their Kenyan lead exporter. At the same time he served as the Children’s Coordinator for a non profit that worked with orphaned children. In late 2016 he joined the Neighbor Kwa Jirani Foundation’s Amani School for Orphans, as it’s first School Administrator. Mr. Maseno resides in Kisii County and is a dedicated Christian.
SHERIFA MUSA
Children’s Services
Director
Sherifa Musa was born in Tanzania and received her High School diploma there in 2001. As she grew up Sherifa always had a keen sense for business and used those skills to earn extra money for her family as she was tasked with caring for siblings while her parents were away from the home working. In 2013 Sherifa became a Founding Member of the Neighbor Kwa Jirani Foundation and assumed the role of it’s first House Mother for the Foundation’s orphaned children that lived in her home. Madam Sherifa is married to Musa Hassan, the Foundation’s Director and is a resident of Riosiri in Migori County.
STEPHEN MAINGO
Head Teacher
Junior Secondary | Class 7 Teacher
Stephen Maingo attended primary school during 2003-2010 at Nyamome Primary. During 2012-2015 he joined Kanyawanga Secondary School for his high school education. After graduation Stephen enrolled in Rachuonyo Teachers College in 2017, where he graduated in 2019. Stephen then began teaching at Komito Primary School in 2020 until the end of the 2023 school year. Stephen is the class 7 teacher in the Neighbor Kwa Jirani Foundation’s Amani School for Orphans. He is also one of two designated Spiritual Leaders of the school. Mr. Maingo is a strong Christian and he is a resident of Migori County, Rongo Subcounty, Kanyawanga village.
SAMWEL MOSETI MOKEBO
Deputy Head Teacher
Lower Primary | Class 3 Teacher
Samwel Mokebo attended Nyamonaria Primary School from 2007 through 2015. He continued his secondary school education from 2016 through 2019 at Nyamonaria Secondary School. Wanting to be a teacher, Samwel attended Asumbi Teachers College from 2020 through 2023 where he graduated with his P1 teaching certificate. Samwel joined the Neighbor Kwa Jirani Foundation’s Amani School in 2023 as the class 3 teacher and he is also responsible for overseeing all of the school’s National Exams. Mr. Mokebo is a resident of Kisii County, Nyamarambe Subcounty, Nyaramba village and he is a Christian.
IRENE ATIENO OCHIENG
Senior Master
Lower Primary | Class 1 Teacher
Irene Atieno received her P1 certificate at Kamagambo Adventist College in the year 2015. After graduation she was employed at Nyagidha Primary School teaching English, Social Studies, and Environmental until 2019. Irene also worked with New Mercy Care Academy from 2019-2021. In the Fall of 2021 she joined the Neighbor Kwa Jirani Foundation’s Amani School where she is serving as the class 1 teacher and she also teaches Home Science and Agriculture. Madam Irene is a resident of Rongo Subcounty in Migori County and is a strong Christian who is ready to mold learners spiritually.
AKOTH DOROTHY KABAKA
Pre-Primary
PP1 & PP2 Class Teacher
Akoth Dorothy Kabaka was born in 1995. She is a resident of Migori County, Suba Central Sub-Location, Suns Village. Akoth attended Lwala Primary School from 2008 to 2016. She then attended Lwala Mixed Secondary School from 2016 to 2019. From 2020 to 2024, she worked toward her Diploma in Early Childhood Development and Education at Migori Teachers College. Last year, she taught at Goshen Academy. Madam Akoth joined Neighbor Kwa Jirani Foundation’s Amani School for Orphans for the 2026 school year as the Pre-Primary 1 and 2 teacher and she is also responsible for teaching and overseeing Health and Sanitation.
NANCY AYACKO ESIPILA
Lower Primary
Class 2 Teacher
Nancy Ayako received her P1 Certificate from Kamagambo Teachers Training College in July 2016. She began her teaching career as a P1 teacher at Enos Abukutsa Memorial School. In January of 2020 she joined the Neighbor Kwa Jirani Foundation’s Amani School. Nancy is currently serving as the class 2 teacher at the Amani School where she also teaches English, Kiswahili and Mathematics. Madam Nancy is a strong Christian who resides in Migori County, Rongo Subcounty.
ELVIS OMBUI NYABUTO
Upper Primary
Class 4 Teacher
Elvis Nyabuto attended Tabaka Deb Primary School from 1999 through 2007. He did his secondary education at Nyachenge Secondary School during the years 2008 through 2011. Elvis attended St. Paul’s Teacher Training College from 2015 through 2016 where he graduated with his P1 certificate. Elvis taught at Tabaka Deb Primary School during 2017 – 2018 and at Tabaka Hill Crest School from 2020 – 2023. In 2023 Elvis joined the Neighbor Kwa Jirani Foundation’s Amani School as the class 4 teacher and he is also responsible for overseeing Games at the school. Mr. Nyabuto is a resident of Kisii County, Tabaka location and is a strong Christian.
PAULINE GATI CHACHA
Upper Primary
Class 5 Teacher
Pauline Chacha attended Central Primary School during 1996 – 2008. She later joined Junior Academy Secondary School in 2009 and graduated from there in 2014. Pauline then enrolled in Asumbi Teachers College in 2015 where she graduated in 2018. Pauline worked at Sunshine Academy from 2020 – 2022 and then went on to teach at Rongo Junior Academy from 2022 – 2023. Pauline joined the Neighbor Kwa Jirani Foundation’s Amani School for Orphans at the start of the 2024 school year as the class 5 and school Music teacher. Madam Pauline is a Christian who resides in Migori County, Kuria East Subcounty, Kegonga village,
BENARD ODHIAMBO NGALA
Upper Primary
Class 6 Teacher
Benard Odhiambo Ngala was born in 1990. He is a resident of Migori county, Rongo sub county, Kodorebara sub location. Bernard attended Koderobara primary school in during 1998-2008. From 2009- 2013 he attended Kanga secondary school. He was enrolled in Kagumo teachers college from 2014 -2018, where he graduated with a P1 Diploma in Primary education. After graduating Bernard taught at Kodorebara primary school from 2019 through 2025. Mr benard, who is a strong Christian, joined the Neighbor Kwa Jirani Foundation’s Amani School for Orphans at the start of 2026 as the grade 6 teacher.
BRENDAR NYATICHI ATINDA
Junior Secondary
Class 8 Teacher
Brendar Nyatichi Atinda was born in 1999. She is a resident of Kisii County, Manga Sub-County, Isicha Village. Brendar attended Nyamare Primary School from 2005 to 2012. From 2014 to 2018, she attended Nyaisa Secondary School. From 2019 to 2021, she was enrolled at Migori Teachers College, where she pursued a P1 Diploma in Primary Education. Last year, Brendar was teaching at Nyamue Primary School. Madam Brendar, who is a Christian, joined Neighbor Kwa Jirani Foundation’s Amani School for Orphans at the start of 2026 as the Grade 8 teacher.
JANET MORAA MOTONU
Junior Secondary
Class 9 Teacher
Janet Moraa Motonu was born in 1997. She is a resident of Kisii County, Nyamache Sub-County. Janet attended Nyabisase Primary School from 1997 to 2014. She later joined Nyabisase Mixed Secondary School, where she studied from 2015 to 2018. From 2019 to 2023, Janet was enrolled at Kisii University, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Education/Arts degree. After graduation, she began teaching at Magenche Secondary School. Madam Janet joined Neighbor Kwa Jirani Foundation’s Amani School for Orphans at the start of 2026 as the Grade 9 teacher. She also teaches Home Science and Agriculture and is one of two designated Spiritual Leaders of the school.
SAMWEL NYANCHOKA TONGI
Upper Primary | Junior Secondary
Multi-Grade Teacher
Samwel Nyanchoka Tongi was born in 1980 in Kisii County, Nyamarambe Sub-County, Tabaka Village. Samwel attended Nyagichenche Primary School from 2008 to 2016. He later joined Nduru Secondary School, where he studied from 2017 to 2021. From 2022 to 2025, Samwel was enrolled at the University of Eastern Africa, Baraton. He has now joined Neighbor Kwa Jirani Foundation’s Amani School for Orphans as a teacher supporting various classes in grades 4 – 9. Samwel is a strong Christian.
MWANDAWIRO VICTOR OYUGI
Upper Primary | Junior Secondary
Multi-Grade Teacher
Mwandawiro Victor Oyugi was born in 1995 in Migori County. He attended Kamondi Primary School from 2002 to 2012. He later joined Anjego Secondary School, where he studied from 2012 to 2016. From 2017 to 2021, Victor was enrolled at Mount Kenya University, where he earned a degree. After graduation, he taught at Kodorebara Secondary School. Mr. Victor, who is a strong Christian, is now working with Neighbor Kwa Jirani Foundation’s Amani School for Orphans as a teacher supporting various classes in grades 4 – 9.
EUNICE MOKANO ATEBE
Food Services
Head Cook
Eunice Mokano Atebe was born in 1995 in Ruora Village, Kisii County, Kenya.
Before joining Neighbor Kwa Jirani Foundation / Amani School, Eunice had a small business in various markets. She now works as a cook at the school.
SADAM HUSSEIN HAMISI
Food Services
Cook
Sadam Hussein Hamisi was born in 1993 in Uriri Village, Migori County, Kenya.
Before joining Neighbor Kwa Jirani Foundation / Amani Primary School, Hussein worked in various mosques. He now works as a cook at the school. Hussein is a Muslim.
JEREMIAH ODHIAMBO ONYANGO
Food Services
Cook
Jeremiah Odhiambo Onyango was born in 1990 in Koderobara Village, Migori County, Kenya.
Before joining Neighbor Kwa Jirani Foundation / Amani Primary School, Jeremiah worked in various homes and also did small-scale farming. He now works as a cook at the school. Mr. Jeremiah is a Christian.
ZAHARA MUSA
Children’s Services
Matron
Zahara Musa is the eldest daughter of Musa Hassan (Director) and Sherifa Musa (House Mother) and has been instrumental in the establishment of the Neighbor Kwa Jirani Foundation’s various orphan care programs since 2013. Zahara has always had a passion for the orphaned children that she saw all around her as she was growing up. Because of her interest in and commitment to helping orphaned students, she was hired as the Amani School for Orphan’s Matron in 2021. Madam Zahara currently lives Riosiri in Migori County.
SHADRACK MASARO OKONGO
Security
Day Guard
Shadrack Masaro Okongo was born in 1999 in Ruora Village, Kisii County, Kenya.
Before joining Neighbor Kwa Jirani Foundation / Amani Primary School, Shadrack worked as a guard in various homes and bars. He now works as a guard at the school. Mr. Shadrack is a Christian.
JARED OUMA
Security
Night Guard
Mr. Jared Ouma Ageke was born in 1950, in a village of Koderobara, Rongo sub county, Migori county. He joined Koderobara primary in the year 1956 to 1961, he didn’t proceed to secondary school, since then he has been doing some business at home, Mr. Jared is working in the Neighbor Kwa Jirani Foundation’s Amani Primary School for Orphans. Jared is the night guard, and he is a strong Christian.