Claudia’s story is one of grit, grace, and growth. Raised at Leamwana Children’s Home after losing both her parents at a young age, her childhood was far from easy. Yet today, Claudia stands tall as the Co- Founder and Managing Director of Pamoja New Heart a community-rooted organization that is transforming the lives of children and young people in Malindi.
Pamoja New Heart was born from a powerful partnership between New Heart, an orphanage that provided a safe home for children, and Pamoja Girls, an initiative focused on supporting vulnerable girls with school sponsorships and psychosocial support. When the two merged, they shifted their model returning the children to live with relatives or guardians while continuing to support them from home. Today, the organization sponsors 400 needy children, runs a mentorship program for boys and girls, and supports young mothers through their “Dignity Kitty” initiative.
What makes this journey even more special for us at Elimu is that Claudia was once an intern at Elimu Resource Centre. She poured her energy, creativity, and heart into her role, especially in youth-focused programming. Watching her grow into a leader who uplifts others and builds lasting impact in her community fills us with deep pride. It’s a full-circle moment that reaffirms why we do what we do.
And the story doesn’t end there. Claudia has gone on to hire Janet, one of Elimu’s very first participants in Elimu Sewing Project, as a sewing instructor at Pamoja New Heart. Janet’s journey from a single mom facing tough odds to becoming a skilled artisan and now a teacher is equally inspiring. She was among the first women to learn modern fashion design, beadwork, and eco-fashion at our Artisan Maker Space. Seeing her thrive in a leadership role is a proud moment not just for us, but for every young girl who dreams of a different future.
As Elimu, we are excited about the possibilities ahead. We look forward to partnering with Pamoja New Heart to bring some of our digital programs like Cisco Networking Academy and DigiTech to their space, empowering even more youth with digital literacy and practical skills for the future.
Claudia’s and Janet’s stories are proof that when we invest in people, especially young women, we spark change that ripples across families, communities, and generations. We celebrate their resilience and leadership and we can’t wait to see what more they will achieve individually and together! You can help us support more Janet’s and Claudia’s by making a donation on our website at elimu.ca