Mission of Hope for the Disabled – Monrovia, Liberia
Elizabeth Neste
Elizabeth is in her second year studying Computer Science at Starz College in Monrovia, Liberia. Her dream is to become a journalist IT specialist so that she can help other disabled young adults in her community. She is also working with James Prowd at St. James Graphic Tech (see below) helping with typing documents, scanning, photo copying, printing and operating the T-shirt heat press machine.
James Prowd
James is attending Starz College in Monrovia, Liberia and studying Information Technology with an emphasis in Graphic Design. He has had a passion for art and drawing all his life, and in 2015 he opened St. James GafixTec designing t-shirts for local schools and clients on his homemade screen printing press. Now he is part of CAGO (Creative Arts Group of Companies), the small business partnership with Inverted Arts. Once CAGO construction is completed, James will open a multipurpose business offering computer services and graphic design while training and employing other Mission of Hope students.
Marthaline Kollie
“To be disabled in Liberia it is not easy. You will be overlooked, limited and insulted. Many times I crawled on my knees and hands to get around, and my friends began to mock me and called others around to make fun of me. Many times I sat by myself and cried a lot. My parents fought hard for me to put me somewhere good that will be right for me. Thanks to God for my parents who brought me to MHD, and now I am seeing myself gradually becoming productive. I’ve chosen to study Cosmetology because I have so much interest in it and it has lot of career opportunities. My field of study will benefit the Mission of Hope for the Disabled (MHD) as I work to develop others and start to generate funding to contribute to the upkeep of the Mission.”
Joseph Wilson
“My entire high school life, I have always worried how to go forward after high school because my dad is disabled and mother is a nurse who is not employed. Both volunteer their services at Mission of Hope for the Disabled. My interest grew in arts when I took part in the first Art Camp at Mission of Hope. Working in the video and photography classes gave me a desire to study computer. I am going to study computer information at Starz University and after I complete my studies I will provide services for MHD. I am so grateful for this opportunity.”
Madison Kangar
“I am disabled and a resident of Mission of Hope for the Disabled for the past fourteen years. My time being with the mission, brought me joy and happiness and is paving the way to my destiny. My interest in the arts began from the day I graduated from high school when I started learning graphic design using CorelDraw and Photoshop with the little knowledge gained from friends and watching YouTube videos. I have chosen Starz University and my field of study is Database Administration/Database design, this gives me the edge to achieve my goal in the arts. Almost all aspects of my life have been connected to the Mission of Hope for the Disabled and I stand to always serve the growth of the mission.”
Mathare Community Outreach – Mathare Valley, Kenya
Ronald Oketch
My name is Ronald Oketch and I am 25 years of age. I was born and still live in Mathare slums located in Nairobi country. I am second last born in a family comprising two sisters and three brothers. I am a partial orphan having lost my dad at a tender age of five years in the year 2002. He used to be a carpenter. I have lived the better part with my mother. She is only a domestic worker washing people’s cloths in neighboring estates. I was sponsored in both in primary and secondary school by Mathare Community Outreach. I would have easily missed going to school if this support didn’t come my way.
I am an ART enthusiast and in particular, the murals. I have had an opportunity to participate in MCO Inverted Art Camps for three years since 2014 and became an Artist Mentor in the year 2017 to date.
I have always looked forward to pursuing a advanced courses in visual art. That’s my passion!
Phoebe Adhiambo Odongo
Phoebe is a 19 year old who was orphaned at the age of 4. She has two sisters and they were all brought to Kariobangi Children’s Home in 2015 and were enrolled in classes.
Phoebe joined MCO Secondary School until form three and then transferred to Kariobangi North Girl’s Secondary School in 2021. After sitting for her secondary national examinations in March 2022, she was released to go live with her elder sister within Nairobi who now works as a nursery school teacher having also been sponsored by MCO through a scholarship program. She began her training in hair dressing, but now needs to transfer to a better organized college.
She has been a participant on the photography teams during MCO/IA Art Camps since 2018. She would like to continue to pursue Hair dressing and Beauty Therapy. She recently did hair and make up for the Kariobangi Orphanage children when they did a Kenyan Peace Song music video.
Stephanie Anayango Dindi
Stephanie is 20 years old and currently pursuing a three year diploma in interior design at Buru Buru Institute of Fine Art (BIFA). She is in her second year having done well in her first year despite missing classes on many occasions for failure to pay school fees. She has a natural passion for art and her focus is interior design. The course entails soft furnishing such as curtains, house décor and basic architectural skills. Her mother is an office secretary while her step father does welding. Her biological father passed away when her mother was 6 months pregnant. Stephanie went to KCO School in Kariobangi and later on joined Moriah school of Discipleship. She is very determined to finish her courses at BIFA and the Inverted Arts scholarship will make this possible.
Dorothy Akoth Ochieng
Dorothy is 19 years old and the second born in a family of 5 siblings. Her mother Tabitha is a peasant farmer focusing on sweet potatoes while her father is night watchman in Nairobi. She went to MCO primary school in Mathare slums where she lives with her father since their mother lives in their rural home. She took her high school examinations in the 2019 and later on joined Moriah school of Discipleship. She is currently doing some work in a cyber café to help support the family too. She has not been able to join any college due to lack of school fees. She wishes to pursue a course in baking and will attend Valentine School of Cakes in Nairobi. Baking is her passion and she hopes to run her own business once she graduates and can acquire the right equipment. Dorothy is also a gifted singer and a member of OCC Church praise and worship team as one of the key soloists.
Rose Oduol
I have decided to study food science because food industry is an open industry both locally and internationally. I intend to pursue this course at Technical University of Kenya (TUK) a government institution of repute. I expect quality training by professionals in order to get a recognized certificate. The school is strategically located for ease of access so my transport cost will not be too expensive. I am a gifted singer and formerly lead soloist in music at MCO Joy School. I would like to help mentor youth to give back to the Mathare community.
Mitchelle Auma
I will pursue a course in Cosmetology and my interest is based on the high demand as many women love to take of their bodies. The course can also easily lead to self-employment since one can even work at home. I have chosen Vera Beauty College because it offers good services with professional instructors. The college has been in existence for long and its well known for quality training. I want to be the best beautician and to I hope to offer similar skills to the youth at Mathare Community Outreach and create employment for others in our community.
Brian Kyendo
Visual Arts is my talent and I find it helpful in my creative thinking. I am looking forward to study Building and Construction. I have chosen this field of study because it is connected with arts and will help me enter the field of interior design. I have helped my friends in Kariobangi Children’s Home in the arts. By helping people in arts, I will help Mathare youth to be self-employed. I think by so doing I will help decrease premature death coursed by crime. My goal is to have an Art Club to help other people out there in Mathare Valley .
Lloyd Okwako
I grew up in a Christian family, and my parents instilled in me the importance of hard work, dedication, and faith. These values have helped me to become the person I am today, and they have also influenced my baking and food production journey since I was a child. I’ve always had desired to be in the kitchen and to make people smile and happy through good food. So when I got the chance to be able to study at Nairobi Technical Training Institute I was delighted and so happy. My goal is to create beautiful and delicious treats that not only taste great but also look amazing. I believe that my artistic and creative goals will be of benefit to others because they will inspire people to try new things. Baking can be intimidating for some people, but by creating unique and visually appealing treats, I hope to encourage others to step outside their comfort zones and try something new.