Against the Odds

Joshua in 2010 in his tuk-tuk taxi

Joshua Odhiambo has been a cherished part of the Ndoto staff since 2011. He was our first Kenyan employee, but a beloved member of the Ndoto family even before that. We first knew him as a driver, regularly helping our team get around Kisumu. He’s never been one of Ndoto’s sponsored students, but he may be one of our clearest examples of someone whose life has been transformed by Ndoto.

Joshua and his sister in elementary school

Growing up in a rural area, the odds were stacked against his success. In fact, of seven siblings, only he and his younger brother are still alive today. Joshua finished 8th grade in 2001 with good grades, but had to wait two years to start high school. When he did start, he only made it one year before dropping out.

Sometimes, character traits are empowered best by being tested. We trusted Joshua early with carrying cash to help pay student school fees, and he never let us down. It’s that trust that started Joshua on a journey of self-confidence. As he shared in a 2019 video we produced, he has gone from a hopeless and direction-less taxi driver to someone who can make decisions, lead a team, and speak in front of a crowd.

In 2018, he did a six-month high school equivalency program, and now, on April 26th, Joshua graduated with a college degree in Project Management. He’s an inspirational advocate who embodies Ndoto’s values and cares deeply about the impact that Ndoto can have on the community, because of the impact it has had on him.

Today Joshua is one of our top leaders, managing external affairs. He’s equally at home mentoring a student or negotiating an exchange rate at the bank. He has been central to our land purchases, bringing together disagreeing family members and the legal system to pull off contracts that worked for everyone. It’s hard to imagine Ndoto without Joshua. Congratulations on your educational accomplishments, Joshua!