Beatrice Williamson, Founder and President

Beatrice Williamson is a distinguished leader, and known for warmth, humor and commitment to learning. She is responsible for the strategic and vision of Maisha International Inc. Aunty "Bea" as all the little children affectionately call her came to The United States 8 years ago and has since been actively involved with Citychurch, operating as the director of college and career ministry.  She is also the founder of Pamoja International Ministry of Citychurch, a ministry that provides outreach services to international students in Oklahoma.  She consults regularly with international executives from a variety of fields to help create synergistic solutions to impacting problems that students face.

Beatrice is the first born in a family of five; she was born in January, 19, 1976 in Kisumu city, the third largest town in Kenya-Africa. At the age of 9 years old until two years of college, Beatrice was very fortunate to receive scholarship for education from a lady from Sweden called Anna Larson. This was a perfect tool that Beatrice needed in order for to rise above her circumstances and step into her destiny.  Now, her passion is to reach out to orphaned and destitute children and provide them with the same opportunity.  By making a difference in their lives, Beatrice strives to create a brighter future for the next generation.  The fruition of Beatrice’s dream began in 2006, when she founded Maisha International orphanage.

Upon completing high school, Beatrice trained as a manager in a college in Nairobi in Kenya from 1995 to 1997. Late 1997, she was hired as executive director, at Cabom Investments in Nairobi, Kenya and managed the cooperation from 1997-2001 until her arrival in to the United States.   With vast experience in administration, marketing and travel and events planning, she has organized numerous events to reach the sub cultural groups both in Kenya and in the United States.

"Anyone can make a difference, so I want to encourage you to step out of your comfort zone and do something to make a change by raising awareness about Maisha, hosting fundraising, and going for mission trips. I want to inspire people to be better than what they were yesterday.  I want to use my voice to let people know about orphans and destitute children in Africa and around the world."

Cindy Boecking, Maisha Grant Writer
Cindy Boecking, a graduate of the University of Central Oklahoma, has been connected to Maisha International since February of 2008. As a writer for a nonprofit film company, Cindy has been able to use her skills and experience in the nonprofit sector to benefit the children of Maisha which are so close to her heart.  As a mother herself, she is grateful for an organization such as Maisha who has become a gift from God for so many beautiful Kenyan children.

Shauna Carey, Director of Fundraising

My name is Shauna Carey. I am a graduate of Oklahoma Baptist University, with a Bachelor of Arts in Religion and a Minor in Family Psychology (May 2003). I have extensive experience working with people from many different cultures and backgrounds in many different settings. I can work very efficiently independently or within a team. I am very organized and out-going, a self-starter, and highly motivated.  My deepest desire is to inspire others to seek a genuine relationship with their Creator.

I am an Air 1 Ambassador, and the 2009 – 2010 Director of Fundraising for Maisha International Orphanage. I book and help plan benefit concerts to raise funds for the orphanage. I also created a fundraising website to raise money to build a dining hall where the children can eat their meals. I have been a United Way/State Charitable Campaign Committee Member, a Compassion International child sponsor since 2003, and I am also a One Campaign Member.

Amanda Slade Binecz, Development Coordinator

Amanda is a Pennsylvania native whose passion is volunteerism. She advocates for international development because she understands the need to reduce poverty and increase education and healthcare needs on a global scale. Amanda has lived in five countries and have visited over 30 countries. A recent graduate of The University of Oklahoma, Amanda holds a M.A. in International Relations and a B.S. in Management Science, Information Systems, and International Business from The Pennsylvania State University.

In addition to volunteering as the Development Coordinator for Maisha International Orphanage, she volunteers with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Norman and Mary Abbott Children’s House. Amanda is a member of the Beta Sigma Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Besides being an avid traveler, Amanda’s hobbies include roller derby, vegetarianism, cosmetology, and volunteerism.

Louise McAulay , Maisha Volunteer Coordinator in London, UK.

I was born in Northampton where I grew up and studied English Language & Literature at A Level and then went on to full time employment.  I have always had a passion for music and this is actually what introduced me to the AIDS pandemic in Africa. On 1st December 2002 MTV dedicated their station to World AIDS Day and put on a concert that was seen by over 2 billion people.  It opened my eyes to the heartbreaking stories that so many people from all over Africa have to tell. From then I supported the fight against HIV and AIDS and grew great concern for the pandemic.  I had always taken an interest in charity work by raising money for Children in Need and Comic Relief.  When I moved to London in 2007 I had more opportunity to build on this so I completed runs and fundraisers for charities such as Ronald MacDonald House and Little Hearts Matter as my nephew was born with a serious heart condition and these charities have greatly helped.

I then saw two documentaries produced by Keep a Child Alive and was even more inspired to do something about the fight against HIV and AIDS.  I was astonished at the amount of people who go through such turmoil, just because they can't get the drugs they rightfully deserve - and then following from that the difficulty that the families of loved ones go through when they have passed because of the disease.  I got myself involved with the Keep a Child Alive text to donate campaign, and contacted the newly opened UK office to see if I could help out.  I decided to arrange a party to raise money for Keep a Child Alive, and have since got involved in other projects and voluntary work.

I travelled to New York in November 2008 to help out at the Keep A Child Alive head office during their busiest time, and I also volunteered at the Black Ball and took part in their student summit.  I met some wonderful people there who worked for the cause, as well as those who have been helped out by them.  One of the wonderful people I met was Jennifer Salazar who I shared a hostel room with. She told me about her trip to Kenya in 2008 with Maisha International and the amazing work that they do.  From there on, she introduced me to the founder of Maisha International and then I got involved with the volunteering team for 2009-2010.  I am the volunteer coordinator here in London.

Lorraine Okinda, Kenya Events coordinator
Lorraine grew up in a Christian home of 6 girls of a family of eight. She is the last born of the six girls. She has been involved in leadership from the age of 6. She was head of the student body in Moi Educational Centre (1988-1998) and Greenacres School (1999-2002); where she also pursued to study voice with LAMDA (The London Academy of Music Dramatic Art) in conjunction with Kenya Conservatoire of Music and also pursued her talent in drama and responsibility Roles as a delegate member in The Model United Nations. Her passion to help destitute children began also in high school, as she was involved heavily with her high school, in the support of Rescue Dada's Nest Kenya which is a children’s home and rescue centre for children who are orphans located in Limuru, Kenya. Her passion to help others also was felt as she was at the same period of time (1999-2002) a youth leader in area of Music director at her then home church Nairobi Pentecostal Church Karen. She pursued her Bachelors Degree at Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (2002-2006) where she has come across the organization Maisha International Orphanage through events and through other supporters and college students who are involved with Maisha. Having worked little with Rescue Dada's Nest Kenya she has committed herself fully into making the lives of destitute children as such and orphans back in Kenya, a life of fulfillment and opportunity. She is currently involved in organizing benefit events for Maisha International Orphanage in Oklahoma City, and in Kenya.

Pamella A. Ogoye-Lumbas, Mission Trip Coordinator in Kenya
Pamella, a third born in a family of six, was born in the mid seventies in Kisumu city, the third largest town in Kenya-Africa. Upon completing high school, she trained as a full secretary in a secretarial college in the country’s capital - Nairobi. She further proceeded on to the United States International University-Africa where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in International Business Administration in 2007, with specialization in Management.  Pamella, is a born-again Christian, has also worked as an Administrator for more than 8years, with vast experience in administration, employee welfare and Human Resource Management, and travel and events planning. Together with her husband George, they also serve God in their local church, Pneuma Ministries International in Nairobi-Kenya, and are blessed with two children.

Jennifer Salaza, Director of HIV/AIds Education Program
I am from Waco, Texas. I began a chapter of Keep a Child Alive at the University of Oklahoma in 2007 to help raise awareness of HIV/AIDS. During my trip to Kenya in the summer of 2008, I taught painting to the children at the first Maisha Art & Cultural Camp. I am also an artist and whenever possible, I like to sell my work to benefit organizations that I support. I graduated from the University of Oklahoma in spring 2008 with a bachelors degree in Anthropology. I hope to go on to grad school to study Anthropology and Global Health.