Nairobi (Kibera) · HomaBay (Rodi Kopany) · Samburu (Maralal) +254 720 875 847
Our roots

Our Story

Because poverty continues to limit access to education and economic opportunity, we partner with communities to equip children, youth and women with the skills, support, and opportunities they need to build resilient futures and strengthen local economies.

Co-founded in 2014 by Victor Odhiambo, who grew up in Kibera, and Douglas Anderson, Garden of Hope Foundation partners with communities to ensure children, youth and women have the education, skills and opportunities they need to transform their communities.

What began in one informal settlement has grown into a community-driven organisation creating lasting change across Kenya.

Today, we deliver education and livelihoods programmes in Kibera (Nairobi), Homa Bay and Samburu, working alongside local schools, families and partners to build brighter futures.

A decade of hope

Our impact since 2014

25,600
Youth supported through mentorship & life skills
95%
Learners who stayed in school and completed the year
35
Schools equipped to deliver opportunities
1,650
Direct jobs created
2,780
Indirect jobs created
70%
Earning more after starting or growing a business
Our team

The people behind the work

VO

Victor Odhiambo

Co-founder & Executive Director

Victor grew up in Kibera and founded Garden of Hope in 2014 to support underserved children, women and youth across Kenya. He leads the vision and strategic partnerships.

IO

Ismael Otieno

Programmes Lead — HomaBay

Ismael has over six years implementing programmes in informal settlements and rural areas, with expertise in monitoring and evaluation, project management and communications.

MR

Mukami Riungu

Social Worker

Mukami supports mentorship and case-management across our programmes.

LO

Lorine Omondi

Social Worker

Lorine brings experience in psychosocial support and counselling, including work at Homa Bay Referral Hospital.

SA

Susan Akoth

Social Worker

Susan is a licensed social worker focused on case management, mentorship and advocacy.

Credible stewardship

Our Board of Directors

RM

Ruth Mwangi

Board Member

Ruth has designed and coordinated projects in Kenya's slums and villages since 2004. She is a 2016 Mandela Washington Fellow and an Echoing Green Fellowship finalist.

DA

Doug Anderson

Co-founder & Director of Global Partnerships

Doug brings deep experience in community development across Africa, Asia, Latin America and the US, and holds an M.A. in Transformational Urban Leadership.

FN

Fiona Ngesa

Board Member

A tourism and marketing professional with a postgraduate diploma in marketing (CIM, UK) and a Masters in International Tourism; a certified John Maxwell Team coach.

KP

Keyla Pavia

Board Member

Vice President of Enrollment Services at Pillar College and founder of Abigail's Place, a mentoring programme for girls aged 12–23.

BA

Brittney Anderson

Board Member

Focused on food justice and urban agriculture, with a background in environmental science, marketing and nonprofit fundraising.

KO

Kevin Ouma

Board Member

An independent documentary photographer based in Nairobi and an alumnus of the Mohamed Amin School for Broadcast Journalism.

DA

Dr. Rosette Adera

Board Member

Chair of the Business Administration Department at Pillar College with 30 years in higher education.

Recognition

Awards & honours

2021
Youth Silencing Unemployment Award
African Union
2018
Pan-African Award for Entrepreneurship in Education
2019
Gender Equality Award (Nominee)

Proud to work alongside