Ndoto Academy

Elizabeth was born and raised in Rangwe Constituency in Homabay County from a family of six. She learned at Asumbi Mixed Primary and Asumbi Girls High School, then studied at Asumbi Teachers Training College. She joined Ndoto in January 2024 as part of the Ndoto Academy teaching staff.

Evaline Akinyi Jopamba was born and raised in Kisumu County, where she did her primary school. Her passion for cooking saw her seek culinary opportunities in Kisumu. She joined Ndoto in 2024 as an assistant chef to meet the growing needs of the Ndoto kitchen. She has a lovely family with six sons and a daughter.

Anne Awuor Raburu was born in 1993 in Kendu Bay, Homa Bay County. She is the last-born in a family of six. Anne learned at Obangla Primary and Saye Secondary and sat for KCSE in 2010. She joined ECDE Training College in 2012 and graduated with a certificate in 2014. She enrolled for a diploma and graduated in 2016 from Kamagambo Adventist School. Since then she has been teaching at various ECDE centres.

Anne enjoys her work as a teacher of young learners. Most of the time you find Anne in the company of young children because it’s one of the things she enjoys most in life. Her hobbies are swimming, reading story books, and telling stories. Anne is married and has two children.

Lilian Akoth Olala was born in a small town known as Oyugis in Homa Bay County. After KCPE in 2004, she joined Bishop Linus Okok High School. After the death of her parents, she transferred to a day school and sat for KCSE in 2008. She joined the African Institute in 2012 for a certificate in ECDE and later enrolled for a diploma in ECDE in 2019. She graduated from St. Paul College in 2021. Lilian is the mother to two biological children and one adopted child.

Lilian has taught in a number of schools as a classroom teacher before joining KUP (Kisumu Apostolate Program), where she worked for four years as a learner support assistant. At the end of her contract she joined Ezrta Gumbe Primary School where she worked for a few months before joining the new startup Ndoto Academy. In her years working with children she has learned to be patient and creative. She says she has found her inner child again. Lilian hopes to build trust with her little learners, helping them to build self-confidence and independence. She respects every child and their family.

Teressa (Terry) Hayo Odhiambo was born in Kisumu County, and attended school at her ancestral home in North Gem, Siaya County. She studied at Mutumbu High School. Passionate about cooking, she sought a culinary program training, where she gained foundational skills and networking opportunities. She has experience in different cooking environments, from restaurants to catering companies. She joined Ndoto as the first official chef in 2022.

Susan was born in Maseno, Kenya, but grew up in Kisumu and attended Huma Girls Secondary School before attending college. She now lives in Nyalenda, a slum in Kisumu, and lives in a small house with her sister and three cousins who she takes care of. Susan went through a training program hosted by missionaries to receive counseling skills to help students through trauma and other life issues. She passed the course with straight A’s. Susan joined Ndoto’s team in 2012.

Naphtali was born and raised in Kakamega County. He was born to a family of six – three boys and three girls – and studied at Holy Cross Emalindi Primary and Eshinutsa Secondary in Western province. He pursued a course at Ugenya Teachers Training College in Siaya and upgraded to the new Kenyan education system (CBC). Naphtali joined Ndoto in January 2024 as one of the new Ndoto Academy teachers.

Sylvia Vuguza was born in 1994 in the western part of Kenya as the 7th of 8 siblings. She did her KCPE in 2008 and her KCSE in 2012. Before joining college, she did a short course in computer training. In 2015 she enrolled in International Teachers College in Kajiado where she earned a certificate in ECDE. She later enrolled for an ECDE diploma at the same school and graduated in 2018. She has worked with different schools, including Kitengela International School, Woodhill International School, and Maria Goretti School. She joined Ndoto Academy in 2022 as a PP2 teacher. She likes reading story books, traveling, and writing short poems for young kids. Sylvia’s focus is on nurturing young kids in all aspects of their growth and development, and she researches best practices to learn and improve in this.