July 16, 2015

We are thrilled to welcome Stephen to the team as our Scholarship and Mentoring Program Manager! His strong passion for our mission is inspiring, and we are excited to see the positive impact he is sure to bring TFFT. Welcome Stephen!

My name is Stephen Lumati. I was born and brought up in a small village called Chegulo in Western Kenya. Growing up as a young boy, I was fortunate to have parents who, despite their illiteracy, recognized the value of education and encouraged me to work hard – leading to my award of a Bachelor of Education Degree (Bed) from Kenyatta University in Nairobi, Kenya. My late mother was a source of my inspiration – always emphasizing to us that education is key to success. This to a large extent has contributed and shaped my belief that every child deserves a quality education, coupled with conducive school and home environment.

I have 24 years’ experience in the education sector, specifically in teacher training, Quality Assurance and Standards, and program development management – both in government and NGOs across Kenya, South Sudan, and with a few assignments in Uganda. I have also volunteered at Haki Za Wanawake and Development (HAWA), a national NGO in Tanzania, that mobilizes women through media to identify and advocate for issues of concern to them.

I first learned about TFFT from my wife, who coincidentally shares the same passion with me of supporting young people to build knowledge, skills, values, and attitude. Each of these are a prerequisite for a generation of transparent and accountable leaders who will transform their communities by leading in the fight against poverty and ignorance. Going through TFFT’s website, I was attracted by the vision and mission, which resonate well with my passion for helping vulnerable young people access quality education. Learning about TFFT set my search for opportunities to work with them. I am delighted that TFFT has given me the chance to offer my service and contribute to changing the lives of vulnerable young people.

I intend to build on the existing efforts already put in place by strengthening the benchmarks of quality education in our partner schools and orphanages. I will use my value-based leadership skills and life skills expertise to develop a mentoring framework and consolidate and coordinate the synergies of our boundary partners, who I have had an opportunity to work with in the East Africa region, ensuring an even more vibrant Scholarship and Mentoring Program for TFFT.

Of immediate priority to me is creating a survey to establish the current levels of satisfaction of our boundary partners with the Scholarship Program offered by TFFT. I will then use evidence-based learning to innovatively scale up the program to benefit more scholars. I will also be developing a Scholarship Mentoring Framework for TFFT, identifying new scholars with the help of communities, and identifying boundary partners. Finally, I will be mobilizing the TFFT Alumni to actively participate in TFFT programs and encourage them to give back to a system that has helped/is helping them find a purpose in their lives and the communities they come from.

I will use my skills in fundraising and media, both locally and internationally, to increase the portfolio and visibility of TFFT’s programs. In the long run, I wish to see TFFT Scholars serving as role models to the program and contributing to the social economic development of their communities.

During my spare time I love swimming, taking nature walks, and reading. This way I am able to balance between work and leisure, but also relax and widen the scope of my knowledge.

I wish to thank the management and staff of TFFT, our boundary partners, and everyone who has helped me to settle down in my new assignment.