The Team
Grace Wickings
Co-Director
My role at Umoja involves a bit of everything, but I like to see myself as someone who facilitates the successful running of the project in the background. Most of my time is spent in various meetings, fundraising, updating donors and sponsors, keeping and updating a variety of paperwork, including records of accounts. My background is in teaching, and I also have a BA in Development, much of which was focused on Kenya in particular. What I love about Umoja is seeing the most marganlised and hard to reach boys in society realising their potential. When others perhaps saw a child or young person as ‘too challenging’, Umoja has always seen, and will continue to see, a child or young person who is unique, resilient and worthy of love. I am so proud that Umoja creates opportunities for former street-living boys not only to survive, but more importantly, to thrive.
Monda Bengo
Co-Director
My role at Umoja is essentially to ensure the successful and smooth running of the Rescue Centre, which includes managing the local team. You can often find me in court handling the boys’ cases, at meetings with various stakeholders or tracing boys’ family members. I also enjoy the more seemingly ‘mundane’ but equally important parts of my job such as driving the boys to school and playing football with them. I am passionate about seeing the most marginalised boys in our society rescued, rehabilitated and restored. Reuniting boys with families is what Umoja is all about, but we feel proud to step in and become the family of any boy in need.
Dalmas Osoro
Centre Manager
I’m a purpose-driven change agent and sociologist who has proven ability in management, proposing solutions and implementing change. I have gained a lot of prowess through the interactions I have had in various sectors over the years, especially concerning children’s rights and their welfare. I started at Umoja as a Social Worker whereby I quickly proved extremely resourceful in improving our paperwork, systems and relations with the local authorities, whilst also having the joy of being a caregiver and counselling the boys. These efforts saw the organization achieve a lot and make tremendous steps through my resolve and expertise. It was such an honour to be promoted and become the Manager of Umoja Boys Rescue Centre, a role whereby I am thriving. Understanding the social work aspect has helped me be a conscientious Manager who leads by example and with a great breadth of experience. I try my best to be devoted and very understanding whilst dealing with the boys and staff alike. I am a graduate in Economics and Sociology and have also acquired certificates in ICT, Child Protection, Management, Safeguarding, Children’s Rights and First Aid. I have never regretted setting foot at Umoja Boys Rescue Centre as it has been a never ending blessing and enriching experience. It is my joy when I become part of a child’s transformation.
Tom Mwaiwa
Social Worker
I am a dedicated Social Worker with a passion for the boy-child in particular. Alongside my diploma in Social Work, I have also completed courses in Child Protection, Safeguarding, Children’s Rights and First Aid. Bonding with former street-living boys and showing them that their futures can be brighter and more positive in my passion. What I love about my job is being somebody’s ‘person’; the one they can rely on to always be there – whether that be showing up to Parent’s Meetings, helping keep them company and feeling safe in court or simply accompaning them to church. I love playing football with the boys as well as training them; this is something that really bonds us.
Sheila Choge
House Mother
With a background in cooking in hotels and restaurants, it has been my joy to bring my cooking skills to Umoja Boys. What I love about my role here is that it goes far beyond cooking; I am able to play a motherly role to the motherless, nuturing them and making them feel heard and seen. You can often find me guiding the boys in the right ways to go, just like any parent would.
Livingstone Musungu
Security Guard and Compound Assistant
I came to Umoja to be an evening Security Guard and assist in keeping the compound clean and neat. I didn’t expect to end up bonding with this huge family of boys the way I have. Aside from my main roles, you can even find my helping boys with homework in the evening and helping getting them settled for the night. My experience has always been in security services but Umoja has enabled me to also complete courses in Safeguarding, Child Protection and First Aid, so I always well equipped to handle any emergency.
Luke Wickings
Chair of Trustees
I am a Reverent turned Rector and I currently oversee six churches in Hampshire. I have sat on and chaired a variety of charitable boards so it was my absolute joy to be asked to chair my own daughter’s charity and to play such a huge role in Umoja’s founding. My role includes advising and mentoring the Director, updating sponsors and donors, fundraising, planning for the future, as well as leading the team of Trustees. I especially love visiting Umoja Boys Rescue Centre in Kenya when I can and also spending time with the local team and boys, sharing both my experience in leadership with our awesome staff as well as running spiritual sessions with the boys.
Sarah Grier
Volunteer Admin Officer & Trustee
I take pride in my role as a Trustee for Umoja Boys, having been involved since its inception in 2015. My dedication to rescuing street children in Kenya traces back to a transformative experience a decade ago, in 2014, when I volunteered in Mombasa. This journey was deeply personal, driven by empathy and a commitment to effecting positive change in others’ lives. It embodies a belief in the power of collective efforts to contribute to a better world. Following a profound 5-week solo trip, I forged a lasting connection and friendship with Grace, the Director of Umoja Boys. As a Trustee, my focus is on overseeing the administrative functions of Umoja, ensuring the organisation operates smoothly and effectively. Responsibilities include managing communication with sponsors, documenting quarterly Trustee meetings, and handling general enquiries. I feel honoured to keep a group of sponsors updated quarterly, providing information on the sponsored child and the progress made. Beyond my Trustee role, I manage a team of Clinical Administrators at a local Hospice, bringing 26 years of experience in Health & Social Care. I thrive in the operational side of services. I am excited about the journey ahead for Umoja Boys. Collaborating with an incredible team, we strive to achieve our key goals and aspirations, making a positive impact and creating lasting change.
Sophia Mutio
Volunteer Finance Officer & Trustee
My background is mainly in finance, having an AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians) qualification which allows me to apply my professional skills within my voluntary role at Umoja. My role involves the monthly management of income and outgoings as well as the administration of Gift Aid claims, to ensure we are maximising the donations we receive. I am of Kenyan heritage and have been incredibly passionate about giving back to my community since childhood. My earliest memories involve helping my Grandad count ‘pennies from heaven’ for his own charity, the African Pump Appeal, which existed to provide clean water and sanitation to villages in Kenya. In August 2015, I was granted a three month sabbatical to assist with the founding of our Rescue Centre. Nine years on, Umoja is working tirelessly to ensure that street living children are not forgotten children. I feel incredibly honoured to be part of a project that is changing so many lives and having a positive impact on the wider community in Kenya.