Who We Are

Cofounder Dr. Amy Kirkland, PT, DPT first visited Kenya in 2015 to teach local physical therapists for the Jackson Therapy Foundation. After returning the following two years and seeing the local children again, Amy experienced her aha moment. She finally had clarity as to why she found herself in Kenya with these children yet again. At last, God had revealed her ultimate purpose–whispering through the winds, “It’s all about the children.”

When Dr. Kirkland discussed her intentions with her friend and cofounder, Alex Omweri, PT, then a few of her other friends from Kenya and the USA, they were immediately on board and excited for the chance to make a change in the lives of these children. Thus, Generation HOPE was born.

Board of Directors

Dr. Amy Kirkland

Dr. Amy Kirkland

President and Cofounder

Amy.Kirkland@generationhope-Kenya.org

HOPE” is commonly used to mean a wish : its strength is the strength of the person’s desire. But in the Bible HOPE is the confident expectation of what God has promised and its strength is in His faithfulness.
I serve as the President and Cofounder of Generation HOPE (Kizazi Kipya). I was born in Brevard, NC, and although I was raised in SC…a Tarheel I will always be. I have been a Physical Therapist since 2003, which is what brought me to Kenya for the first time in 2015. My life is a series of events that, I see now, was preparing me for my mission in Kenya. Empowering the next generation to lead the charge towards ending poverty, it’s causes, and it’s sequela is my passion. #IAMGENERATIONHOPE
Henry Opondo

Henry Opondo

Vice President

Henry.Opondo@generationhope-Kenya.org

I was born is a small village called Katuma, Nyanza Province of Kenya. I have a beautiful wife and two incredible children who mean the world to me. I have been a physiotherapist in Kenya for many years and currently work as the Director of Rehabilitation at the Karen Hospital. I serve as the Vice President and Kenyan Board Chair of Generation HOPE (Kizazi Kipya). My favourite hobby is listening to cool rhumba music.
No one plans to be an orphan and more so at the tender age. Talk of being an orphan, and more so in a community where tradition supersedes logic, is not easy. I know it very well because that’s where I came from.
Proverb 13:12 says; “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life”.
Generation HOPE is the tree of life to these kids, I am one of the branches of its roots, so help me God.” #IAMGENERATIONHOPE
Mariah Fuimaono

Mariah Fuimaono

Secretary/Treasurer

Mariah.Fuimaono@generationhope-Kenya.org

I grew up in Oak Grove, Missouri and come from a large family where I am the middle child. I played sports throughout high school, and received scholarships to play volleyball and basketball in college.
I serve as the Secretary and Treasurer for Generation HOPE (Kizazi Kipya). I am also an Occupational therapist who loves helping others improve their lives and making a difference to impact their futures. I have always loved being around children and being a reason they smile and find Hope to make it through another day.
I was taught to put Christ as my center piece in life, to make decisions as He would, and to serve others with a heart full of love. “Lose yourself in service to others “ was what my Father taught us growing up. These are some of the things I strive to do each day. #IAMGENERATIONHOPE
Vincent Mabiria

Vincent Mabiria

Director of Education

Vincent.Mabiria@generationhope-Kenya.org

I am Vincent Kebiro Mabiria from Kisii, Kenya. I am a husband, a father of three, and a teacher at Nyamisaro Primary School. I serve on the Board of Directors and as the Director of Education of Generation HOPE (Kizazi Kipya). Putting God first in everything I do forms my strong foundation in life. I know how it feels to have nothing because I was once there. I know what it means for a child to lose a parent(s) because I once walked down that lonely road. I know what it means to have Hope and how that can change your life because I found that in Christ. Outside of work I like listening to Gospel music, reading motivational books, or gardening. #IAMGENERATIONHOPE
Evelyne Mabiria

Evelyne Mabiria

Administrative Assistant

Evelyne.Mabiria@generationhope-Kenya.org

I am Evelyne Mabiria, and I serve as the administrative assistant for Generation HOPE (Kizazi Kipya). I am a dedicated mother of 3, a wife, and a leader among the women of my village in Kisii, Kenya. I always keep my eyes on God and follow His will and purpose for my life. I hope to leave a legacy and a better Kenya for my children, and to serve as a positive example to young girls. #IAMGENERATIONHOPE
Firestone Nyantabiga

Firestone Nyantabiga

Photographer

Firestone.Nyantabiga@generationhope-Kenya.org

I am Firestone Nyantabiga and I serve as the photographer for Generation HOPE (Kizazi Kipya). I am from Kisii, Kenya, and graduated from Physiotherapy school 1 year ago. What inspires me is my friends and family. They believe in me and believe that I can achieve a lot more by pushing myself hard and being passionate in anything that I do. Something quirky about me is that I am a foodie, and I flex in any mirror that i see…any mirror.
Generation HOPE means something greater than all of us. Putting a kid through school is the most generous thing anyone can do. Every kid deserves a quality education in order to make their generation bright and empower them to give back to society in a big way. #IAMGENERATIONHOPE
Martin Ong'wen

Martin Ong'wen

Board of Directors

Martin.Ongwen@generationhope-Kenya.org

#IAMGENERATIONHOPE

Sam Stephens

Sam Stephens

Ambassador of HOPE

Sam Stephens is 12 years old and in the 7th grade at Blue Ridge Middle School in Greer, SC. He likes to play video games and spending time with his friends and family. He LOVES playing football for his school (and he is REALLY good!!) and watching his favorite teams, the Clemson Tigers and the Carolina Panthers! His favorite subjects are social studies and science, and when he graduates he’d like to either play football or go to college for sports medicine, mechanical engineering, or nuclear engineering.

Sam holds the only honorary position within Generation HOPE. This postion was made especially for him because he embodies the beliefs, values, and character in which Generation HOPE was built (compassion, integrity, love of God, respect, trustworthy). Sam is a rarity among kids these days. He stands up for underdog, doesn’t allow others to be bullied, always has a positive attitude, and loves and respects everyone, not in spite of, but because of their differences. Sam makes the world a better place to live and teaches others through his actions, the true love of GOD. 

#IAMGENERATIONHOPE