HungryForLifeInternational

Edwin Napali

Kenya, Kakamega

Edwin Napali is the second born in a family of two boys and five girls. He was brought up in a low-income family. His father worked as a postmaster in Nakuru (one of the major towns in the expansive Rift Valley of Kenya famous for Flamingo birds) as the sole breadwinner of the family, while his mother was a committed housewife. But his father managed to pay for Edwin and all his siblings to attend ordinary public schools. Edwin went to school at the early age of four and a half years; he was a quick learner right through to high school.

After successfully completing high school, he had two options: attend university or work as a clerk in the bank. It was a delicate decision for him; while going to the university would be the best option, the burden of educating the other siblings weighed down on his father. He opted to work as a clerk in the bank so that he could assist in the education of his brothers and sisters. This paid off well, as he pursued private studies and managed to get a diploma in banking while working.

Hard economic conditions in the country led most banks to carry out a retrenchment programme in early 1999. So he ventured into private business, running a maize-milling machine and working as a part-time teacher in rural Kakamega. While running the business he realized that most rural families mill only a tin of maize a day-sufficient for only one meal a day. While teaching he also discovered that most students went without lunch, and this affected their concentration in school. In 2003 he decided to team up with other youths in the village and form Solid Rock Youth Group, with the main aim of providing a school feeding programme to orphans and vulnerable children within the community. This project has had good success.

In 2006 Edwin married Hilda and in 2008 they were blessed with a beautiful girl Nicolette. He and Hilda are foster parents to Tracy, a 12-year-old girl in class five whose parents are unable to provide care. Edwin is a board member of Shikokho Medical Clinic (a community clinic run by women), and Shibwe Sub District Hospital, which is a government facility within Kakamega District. He is also a member of the Area Advisory Council of Kakamega South District, which is a committee that deals with children matters within the district.

Edwin learned of Hungry For Life through his cousin, George Imbenzi, who is the Executive Director of Myert (Canada). George introduced him to Chad, Dave and Charlene during their last visit to Kenya in October 2008. Edwin says, "I am happy and will put all the effort needed to be the project partner in Kakamega District."