Imara Academy Board Members
Academy Board Members
Geoff and Irene
Geoff Kilonzo and Irene Kiema are a husband and wife team and proud parents of 2 kids ages 7 and 12. Raised from humble beginnings, they have always been very keen on opportunities that would make life better for others. To us, this is a lifestyle. The decision to help start Imara School was birthed on the basic need of a classroom. Initially there were about 10 kids who needed a place to attend school and their determined unpaid teacher, Jacqueline who wanted to provide for these kids. The joy and desire on their faces was heart-breaking when I initially met them. The kid’s parents are poor and that is part of the reason the teacher was not paid and the kids did not have a school to attend. The parents wanted great education for their kids but paying for it was a big hurdle.
Geoff Kilonzo and Irene Kiema are a husband and wife team and proud parents of 2 kids ages 7 and 12. Raised from humble beginnings, they have always been very keen on opportunities that would make life better for others. To us, this is a lifestyle. The decision to help start Imara School was birthed on the basic need of a classroom. Initially there were about 10 kids who needed a place to attend school and their determined unpaid teacher, Jacqueline who wanted to provide for these kids. The joy and desire on their faces was heart-breaking when I initially met them. The kid’s parents are poor and that is part of the reason the teacher was not paid and the kids did not have a school to attend. The parents wanted great education for their kids but paying for it was a big hurdle.
I became aware of this situation when I visited my home country of Kenya (2010) after my grandmother passed. She was 116 years young! The irony here was my grandmother never went to school and 116 years later, the problem still persists. She was illiterate though never lacking in common sense skills. She always said “I never went to school but common sense, that I have.” It was after meeting these enthusiastic kids that I came back to the States and shared with my wife, Irene. Together we got the vision to help the local community launch a school that could accommodate those kids, give them a place to gather regularly and perhaps call home for the school year. Today through small but generous donations we continue on the same path reaching higher goals. Let’s educate the kids, they are our future!
Star Brown
Hi my name is Star and I love giving back. I have always had a desire to give back to the youth. I started a program called T.R.U.T.H Teach Reach Unite To Honor. This program is designed to TEACH the youth through activities, REACH the youth through song, UNITE the youth through knowledge, and HONOR our elders that paved the way for the opportunities we so richly enjoy. Being musically inclined is a gift that I do not take lightly. With this gift and talent I can be very useful to the charitable cause of Imara Academy.
Hi my name is Star and I love giving back. I have always had a desire to give back to the youth. I started a program called T.R.U.T.H Teach Reach Unite To Honor. This program is designed to TEACH the youth through activities, REACH the youth through song, UNITE the youth through knowledge, and HONOR our elders that paved the way for the opportunities we so richly enjoy. Being musically inclined is a gift that I do not take lightly. With this gift and talent I can be very useful to the charitable cause of Imara Academy.
From its infancy as an idea and now a charitable organization Imara academy is quite an accomplishment. I have a different outlook on “giving someone lemons, they will make lemonade.” We are doing our best to make Imara Academy a success. I support what I believe in.
Jennifer Wilson
As far back as I can remember, the most important aspect of my life was to go to school and learn as much as I could. As a young child, I excelled because I wanted to know more about everything and anytime I was bored, I’d figure math problems out in my head. I’d pass up playing in order to read and escape my poor surroundings and imagine being somewhere else and being on adventures. So, it was only natural that I’d grow up and want other children to have the same opportunities of education and the vast new world it opens up mentally and physically.
As far back as I can remember, the most important aspect of my life was to go to school and learn as much as I could. As a young child, I excelled because I wanted to know more about everything and anytime I was bored, I’d figure math problems out in my head. I’d pass up playing in order to read and escape my poor surroundings and imagine being somewhere else and being on adventures. So, it was only natural that I’d grow up and want other children to have the same opportunities of education and the vast new world it opens up mentally and physically.
As a young adult, I loved tutoring and when I had my own children, I wanted them to experience more than their immediate surroundings so I ensured they received the best education I could afford and looked for artistic and intellectual venues and events that would enable them to go even further than I had with education and exploration.
When Imara Academy presented itself to me, I was elated to assist with creating school uniforms. When I was a child, we didn’t have uniforms and I always felt awkward and self conscious because I usually had to wear the same few clothing items over and over again. I felt the uniforms for Imara Academy would instill confidence and less worry so that the children could reach their highest potential in their studies.
Although it may seem that sewing uniforms for these little ones doesn’t make a difference in learning, studies show that when the environment surrounding you is positive, you think differently. I believe that the key is being able to make the environment positive to allow them to focus on learning (instead of lack of what they have to wear to school). Additionally, I believe these little scholars will know they are part of an elite teaching/learning program that will change their lives and the lives of other family members around them, now and in years to come.
When I saw a video of the smaller children at Imara Academy taking pride in their classrooms and using innovative ways to even prepare their space for studies, I was prouder than I ever anticipated. I am always looking for ways to enhance the learning capabilities of young people and I know that these children in particular have great minds that have proven to be creative, imaginative, willing, and capable to conquer the world.
I have taken part in many church activities and promotions. I hope to continue to bring a wealth of experience in this charitable organization and great ideas on how to keep us moving forward on a daily basis. My plan is to help Imara Academy through my time, treasures and many other efforts. I believe this will help promote improvements in Kenya through their youth and education.
Looking back, I am indeed grateful for the invite to be part of Imara Academy and in helping improve the lives of these young minds in Mwala, Kenya.
Alex Kivila
Born and raised in Kenya, I have always had a kind and generous heart for children. Many years ago I came to the United States from a small town in Machakos-Kenya to pursue higher education. My greatest aspiration is to impact people’s lives the same way Jesus did. Everywhere where Jesus went, lives were changed for better. He did it because he loved people and enjoyed seeing people lifted out. He never did it to be recognized. There are many people experiencing pain and misery I am always touched and immensely affected by the many afflictions in the world and especially Africa.
Born and raised in Kenya, I have always had a kind and generous heart for children. Many years ago I came to the United States from a small town in Machakos-Kenya to pursue higher education. My greatest aspiration is to impact people’s lives the same way Jesus did. Everywhere where Jesus went, lives were changed for better. He did it because he loved people and enjoyed seeing people lifted out. He never did it to be recognized. There are many people experiencing pain and misery I am always touched and immensely affected by the many afflictions in the world and especially Africa.
This leaves me constantly looking for opportunities to give back. The cause for the
Imara Academy charities suits what I am searching for and my people skills will help take it to the next level. I also feel that to him whom much is given, much is required and hopefully I can lead the way in guiding people to become givers to the less fortunate. Quoting Mother Teresa “We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.”