Introducing TARA's In-Country Project Team

Because TARA is dedicated to finding sustainable, community-driven solutions, the in-country project team also reflects this commitment. So to start, I would like to introduce our team at Kirongo—those devoting so much time to ensure we achieve “home-grown” success.

Bernard Ouma has served as the Project Manager at Kirongo since 2007. He and his wife, Eunice, have four sons: Jacob (10), Derricks (6), Paul (5) and Fidel (2). Bernard demonstrates a unique and unwavering commitment to the wellbeing of his community; his full support has made all the difference in accomplishing prenatal care project aims. Bernard provides oversight to the field staff and teachers at Kirongo Rainbow School and has served as the chief “gatekeeper” as we engage community members in the project.

The field staff at Kirongo—Melkio Otieno and Daniel Onuonga—have also played an instrumental role in reaching out to community women and facilitating work with their Self-Help Groups. These guys are truly change agents in the effort to alleviate poverty. They “pound the pavement” so-to-speak (that is, in the absence of pavement) to provide technical assistance to groups on their numerous agricultural and small enterprise initiatives. Together, they are responsible for outreach and support to 15 Self-Help Groups spread across a 16-sq km area.

Melkio has served as field staff for Kirongo (and its predecessor organization) since 2003. Daniel joined him in this work in 2005. Melkio and his wife, Irene, have four children: Lenvy (15), Valarie (11), Marcos (8) and Brighton (4). Daniel and his wife, Elizabeth, are parents of six: Veronica (16), Felix (13), Sharon (11), John (9), Judith (6), and Glendon (4).

Still one of the most challenging tasks has fallen upon a team of six women who serve as our focus group facilitators. Five are teachers at the Kirongo Rainbow School; one is a member of a local Self-Help Group affiliated with Kirongo. Each has already contributed countless hours to training, moderating, note taking and translation, despite other significant demands on their time.

A veteran instructor of 11 years, Theresa Odhiambo shapes young preschool minds at Kirongo. Her children, Calvis and Prescila are 15 and 12, respectively; she is expecting her third child in December. Jacinta Otieno has been teaching English and math to primary grades at Kirongo for the past three years. She and her husband, Cephers, have three children: Cynthia (10), Candy (4) and Terry (2). Tina Gudah joined Kirongo in February 2011 as a preschool instructor; she and her husband are new parents to son, Godwin, Jr (18 mo). Lydia Akoth is also a new mom to son, Michael, Jr (9 mo). She teaches Social Studies, Swahili and English to primary grades at Kirongo, also since February 2011. Belinder Adhiambo is the most recent addition to the Kirongo family. The fourth of six siblings, she took charge of the youngest preschool class—affectionately known as the “baby” class—in March 2011. Rounding out the focus group team, Zainabu Okello is a member of the Kinda Ber Self Help Group. She and her husband, Thadius, have one young son, Emmanuel (18 mo).

In addition, Kirongo’s Head Teacher, George Okeyo, played a key role early in the project to support translation and coordination with the teaching staff in their various roles. He and his wife, Rose, have three children: Linette (9), Lawrence (6) and newborn, Rispa (8 mo).

TARA owes all of these individuals a debt of gratitude for their tireless efforts!