Sandi Carlile
The year of 2024 marked the beginning of a new, challenging and exciting chapter in my long life as I join the Board Directors of the newly created Kenyan NGO (Non Governmental Organization), Phoenix Tumaini. I will serve the Board as “Patron” which generally means supporter, particularly financial. For me the expanded meaning is also that of emotional, mental and spiritual support, at least some of what I can bring to beneficiaries of Phoenix Tumaini in my final life chapter.
Life decisions often bring unexpected changes. I was born in the United States just prior to the onset of the Second World War and a teenager during the tranquil Eisenhower years. I met my future husband in university, married very young, emigrated to Canada and raised our four children in between our many moves over 20 years.
As a single woman in my forties I became a community activist, working on behalf of women, in both paid and volunteer positions for the next ten years. For four years I worked as a travel agent, resigning my job to take on a position with the Alberta Government. Unfortunately or fortunately, the promised job did not materialize.
After much soul searching and with trepidation from family and friends, I decided to travel cheaply and with strangers. I began my adventures at age 53 for 12 years travelling as long as ten months at a time and exploring more than 80 countries.
I travelled again and again to East Africa, Kenya and Tanzania mostly. Eventually I opened a guest house in Nairobi with a partner and we did well for seven years other than during the post election violence of 2007/8.
Finally, my last chapter is helping to support the children who have been left behind through no fault of their own and who deserve a loving and supportive team on their side.
Tracey Farleigh
I first visited Kenya in 2008 as part of a trip to an orphanage I supported at that time. After this ‘one off’ experience I returned every year, occasionally twice a year! In the early days this was as part of a Safari visit but then my close friend John Forsythe and I began to spend longer periods of time at the orphanage.
This became our and their annual holiday always in November as a pre-Christmas visit. Our last visit there was in 2017 and in December 2018 we found ourselves being introduced to another Home – and to the amazing Sandi – through Susan Rahn who we had met on previous Kenya trips.
Between December 2018 through to end of 2023 I supported this home having set up a UK support group which is still going today; now supporting several children and young adults through the Phoenix Tumaini Organisation.
2020 was an awful year, not just because of COVID but in May 2020 John passed away very unexpectedly. My continued love and support of the children and young adults in Kenya is not only for me but also in John’s memory.
Aside to my interest in Kenya and its people, and being the proud Chair of this Board, I am a Trustee for 2 other Charities – Motherwell Cheshire CIO (female mental health) and Wybunbury Tower (Heritage England building).
In my professional life I work for Barclays Bank in Technology having started in 1985. I live in Cheshire, England with my husband, son, a dog and cat! My interests include reading, my caravan, open water swimming and knitting (squares for blankets for my Kenya family!).
Sharon Small
I am the Secretary of Phoenix Tumaini Kenya and founder of Phoenix Tumaini USA. I’m committed to lifting these young lives. We’re building a network of supporters, one with a global perspective just like mine.
Friends and family call me a “citizen of the world,” because I have been to over seventy-five countries, but New York City is where my heart truly feels at home. From the vibrant museums, theatres, and the most diverse group of people in one place, the city fuels my soul and my love of global exotic foods. But my journey here wasn’t a straight shot.
Born in the United Kingdom to Jamaican parents who were part of the Windrush generation, my early years were a whirlwind of music – from the infectious rhythms of calypso to the electrifying sounds of The Beatles and the Rolling Stones. Soon, we were off to Jamaica, a land of breathtaking beauty and relentless heat.
At nine years old, the Big Apple became my new playground. I traded in the lush greenery for towering skyscrapers and the hum of insects for the honking of yellow cabs. Baruch College (Marketing in Undergraduate) and the New School of Social Research (Master of Science in Management) equipped me for the corporate world in which I donned the hat of a Business Project Manager, but after a burnout chasing an advanced degree while juggling a finance job, I craved adventure.
A six-month escape turned into a lifelong love affair with travel. West Africa, the Middle East, Europe – each destination a brushstroke on the canvas of my life. While traveling I witnessed and admired friends who have dedicated themselves to helping children, and this sparked a fire within me. Thankfully, I had never experienced such loss as a child (though losing my parents in my twenties left its mark). I immediately gathered the strength to want to help.
Today, I’m semi-retired, but the fire for travel and giving back burns bright. Catch me exploring hidden corners of the world, offering financial advice, and most importantly, making a difference for the future of Kenya’s children.
Gerald Ngugi
Born and raised in the vibrant landscapes of Kenya, my journey has led me from the heart of Africa to the bustling streets of the UK. It’s a path marked not just by miles travelled, but by the moments shared with those who need it most.
In 2020, fate introduced me to Phoenix Tumaini, a haven of hope nestled amidst the challenges of Kenya. The spark ignited when my dear friend David Moloney shared tales of his friend Sandi Carlile’s tireless efforts in supporting this sanctuary for children. As a Kenyan myself, the connection felt destined, a calling I couldn’t ignore.
My first visit was in December 2020 during my customary Christmas visit to Kenya. Accompanied by my sister, we brought with us a van full of essential supplies.
As the months passed and miles stretched between us, my commitment to Phoenix Tumaini only deepened. In early 2021, David and I embarked on a project to design a new website for the organisation. The website provided donors with an easier way to contribute financially.
But it was in the warmth of December’s embrace that our bond truly flourished. For my December 2021 visit, I joined forces with kindred spirits from the UK, led by our remarkable Chairperson Tracey Farleigh, to craft a Christmas like no other for the children of Phoenix Tumaini. With foodstuff, handwritten cards, and a towering Christmas tree, we brought joy to those who knew little of it.
In early 2024, fate smiled upon me once more as I was bestowed with the honour of becoming a Board Member of Phoenix Tumaini. It was not just a title but a privilege, a testament to the journey we’ve undertaken together, filled with hope, resilience, and unwavering dedication.
I consider my role as a Board Member of Phoenix Tumaini to be a great honour, recognising it as a culmination of my lifelong passion for helping the underprivileged. My vision of Phoenix Tumaini is a journey of hope, guided by the laughter of children and the promise of a brighter tomorrow.
Joseph Omondi
I am a dedicated advocate for change, driven by personal experience and a deep commitment to uplifting others. Born near the serene Lake Victoria in western Kenya, my journey has shaped my passion for
community service and hope-driven initiatives.
Growing up under challenging circumstances, I was raised by a single mother after losing my father at the age of three. Life in the rural village was tough; I worked alongside my family doing manual labour such as cutting sugarcane and plowing farms to make ends meet. Despite the hardships, education remained a priority, though it often felt like an impossible dream.
A turning point came during my primary school years when my headteacher connected me with AMREF Kenya. Through their support, I was able to complete my primary education. They not only paid my school fees but also helped build a small semi-permanent house for my family to replace our grass-thatched home. This act of generosity gave me hope and strengthened my resolve to one day help others in need.
In 2013, I met Sandi, a passionate patron of the Eating Stone Orphanage, whose unwavering support further inspired me to give back. Her generosity, combined with that of other well-wishers, solidified my determination to make a difference in my community.
“Tumaini,” meaning hope, embodies the belief that even when everything else seems to fall apart, hope is what remains. Thanks to the unwavering support of incredible individuals who believed in us, I am now a proud board member of Phoenix Tumaini Kenya, where I’m also honoured to act as the Treasurer. Together, we strive to empower communities and create lasting change.
Just before graduating from college, where I was pursuing a BA in Statistics with IT, I faced a major setback alongside other children in my community. These challenges tested our resilience, but we found strength in each other and refused to give up. It was during this time that Phoenix Tumaini came into the picture, symbolizing hope and the
determination to rise above adversity.
Fred Mito
I was born in the city of Mombasa, in the coastal region of Kenya, but my roots trace back to the Luo community.
Growing up was challenging. Raised by a single mother, life was not easy. From a young age, I helped her earn money for food and school by accompanying her to the farm to work. The journey was tough, but everything changed in 2008.
That year, I joined a children’s home in Nairobi called Robert Hendry Children’s Home, which later became Eating Stones Orphanage (ES). I was among the first children to join ES, and it was a turning point in my life. For the first time, I had food and a place that truly felt like home.
The orphanage supported my education, provided clothing, and even gave my mother a role as the cook. She was a mother to all of us, always making sure everyone was cared for, even though she wasn’t being paid.
I am especially grateful to one incredible woman, Elizabeth Njeri, who took me to school while I was at ES. I attended Kabiria Primary School, where I completed my primary education. For secondary school, I initially joined a day school for one year, but due to financial struggles and the large number of children in need, it wasn’t sustainable. Thankfully, my passion for football opened another door, and I transferred to Itierio Boys in Kisii, where I studied from Form 2 until my final year.
Although I didn’t make it to university, I am incredibly grateful to fellow Board members Sandi and Tracey for supporting me in becoming a plant operator and a driver.
Giving back to children in need has always been close to my heart. For years, I asked myself how I could help others, especially after visiting different children’s homes. Today, thanks to the Almighty, Phoenix Tumaini has become a reality – a new beginning and a dream come true.
Phoenix Tumaini is more than just an organisation to me; it is a mission I will pour my heart into. My greatest joy is being with the children, ensuring they find hope, happiness, and a future filled with possibilities.
To everyone who believes in Phoenix Tumaini, I thank you. Here, hope and happiness are being restored – one child at a time.
Little by little, bit by bit, family by family – so much good can be done on so many levels.
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