Background and Inspiration
Born and raised in the Korogocho slums of Nairobi, Maureen grew up amid adversity. Surrounded by crime, drug abuse, and harsh realities like morning walks past torched bodies from the night before while going to school, Maureen was determined to create a better life for herself and her family, in spite of most girls her age dropping out of school to get into prostitution in search of a better life.
Despite her surroundings, she persevered through high school and gained computer skills and knowledge at a local college, thanks to her strict Christian upbringing that kept her from succumbing to the prevalent vices around her.
Discovering eMentoring Africa
Maureen first heard about eMentoring Africa through a village elder. The concept intrigued her, especially as she was already involved in community work. The training sessions led by Esther provided her with a new understanding of mentorship, particularly in youth patriotism, business creation, talent development, and healthy living. These sessions were transformative, fueling her desire to help young people in her community avoid the same challenges she faced growing up.
Founding Oasis of Hope
Inspired by her husband’s work with children and her own passion for the community, Maureen co-founded Oasis of Hope. The mission? To provide hope and positive mentorship to children in Mathare, where vices like crime and substance abuse often threaten young lives. Rooted in faith and a vision to nurture responsible, God-fearing youth, Oasis of Hope quickly became a vital source of support and guidance in the area.
Challenges and Community Impact
One of the primary challenges Maureen faced in growing Oasis of Hope was a lack of resources. However, partnerships with individuals and organizations allowed the program to expand its impact. Oasis of Hope’s initiatives include:
- Saturday Bible Classes for spiritual grounding
- Community Library to encourage reading
- Girls and Boys Clubs for mentorship
- Entrepreneurship Training to foster independence
- Psycho-social support and Sponsorship programs to assist underprivileged families
Despite limited resources, Oasis of Hope reaches over 150 children every Saturday, helping them develop valuable life skills. The COVID-19 pandemic brought one of Maureen’s proudest moments, as her organization, with partner support, provided food for over 100 families for more than three months.
eMentoring Africa’s Influence
Maureen credits eMentoring Africa for shaping her approach to community work. The mentorship she received encouraged her to start early mentorship initiatives for children, understanding that shaping lives from a young age can lead to positive lifelong outcomes. The support, skills, and structure she experienced through eMentoring have been instrumental in building her vision for Oasis of Hope.
Future Goals
Maureen envisions expanding Oasis of Hope’s impact even further by:
- Establishing a full school to provide quality education.
- Expanding the organization’s space to accommodate more children.
- Launching mentorship programs in schools.
- Increasing sponsorships for disadvantaged students.
- Creating more job opportunities for the local community.
A Call for Support
Oasis of Hope relies on community support to sustain and grow its programs. They need contributions such as books, uniforms, kitchen equipment, classroom space, meals for children, and financial support for sponsorships. Additionally, Maureen seeks training for her volunteers and funding for expanded vocational training programs to empower the local youth.
Maureen’s advice to young change-makers is simple yet profound: “Just start doing something; the rest will follow.” Her story stands as a beacon of hope and resilience, proving that even the smallest actions can create ripples of positive impact in a community.