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OUR HISTORY
Mikono Midogo, Moyo Mkubwa (Small Hands, Big Heart) is a charitable organization founded in 2011 by Erika Stadtlander and Steve Kungu for the specific purpose of assisting impoverished Kenyan children with their educational, nutritional, health and hygiene needs. We are registered as a CBO in Kenya and as a 501c3 non-profit corporation in the United States.
The children which MMMM supports reside in the slums of Kenya, where the majority of cramped makeshift homes are without running water, electricity and sanitation. Residents of these slums are often oppressed by pervasive squalor, constant insecurity, hunger and fear, a high prevalence of HIV and other debilitating diseases, and occasional terrifying violence. Areas in and around Nairobi in which we’ve worked include Mathare, Huruma, Kariobangi, Baba Dogo, Kawangware, Uthiru, Dandora, Mang'u and Kiambiu.
From 2011-2018, MMMM primarily assisted Kenyan orphanages in the Nairobi area. As of 2019, we are closely working with struggling Kenyan families, many of them led by single mothers who are overwhelmed by financial, physical and emotional burdens; most of these women earn only a dollar or two per day, washing clothes or braiding hair.
We currently provide school fees (with a recommended responsible parental contribution of 10% when possible), afterschool homework tutoring, basic monthly nutrition, hygienic supplies, spiritual support, parental guidance, health insurance assistance, optical and dental care, and assistance in cases of medical emergency. We work on-the-ground in a hands-on practical manner, and we personally purchase and deliver all goods to our grantees. MMMM pays fees directly to the educational and medical institutions with which we partner.
MMMM opened its first office in Nairobi in September 2019.
OUR VISION
MMMM is based on compassionate Judeo-Christian values. We understand that it is our human obligation to share with the less fortunate. We believe that we can best serve God by extending a helping hand to those in need, particularly hopeful young children.
We are aware that one of the wisest ways to elevate people out of poverty is through education, and so we strive to enroll the children we sponsor in high-quality schools with good morals, while guiding their parents in the same manner.
The Kenyan kids in our programs may seem materially indigent, yet they are rich in faith, gratitude, joy – and hope for a brighter future.
Although MMMM is a relatively small organization, we make a big difference in the lives of the people we assist. We remain grateful to the benevolent donors who support us in this important mission.
OUR BOARD AND TEAM
STEPHEN MWANGI KUNGU (MMMM Co-Founder and President, Board Member)
created MMMM in 2011 with Erika Stadtlander. He has been a safari director in Eastern Africa for the past 25 years and is extremely knowledgeable about local wildlife. Steve maintains a flourishing farm in Kenya, is active in his church, and has two beautiful children.
ERIKA STADTLANDER (MMMM Co-Founder and Treasurer, Board Member)
created MMMM in 2011 with Steve Kungu. Erika founded two non-profit children’s theatres – one in the Adirondack Mountains and one in New York City – for which she wrote and directed a dozen original musicals, working alongside Board Member Darcey Hurlburt. She has produced two CDs of her children’s songs and is also a graphic artist. Erika has a BFA in Theatre Arts.
LUCY ACHIENG KAMAU (Founding Board Member)
has been with MMMM since 2012. She founded and operates a vibrant pre-school in Nairobi. For the past two decades, Lucy has worked with needy children in the slums of Nairobi and has advised and assisted a number of international NGOs. Lucy is a certified social worker, is active in her church, and is married with two beautiful children. She earned her Masters Degree in Child Development at Daystar University.
ALLAN J. BERLOWITZ (Founding Board Member)
has been practicing law in New York City and internationally for the past 51 years. He earned his BA at Princeton University and his JD at Columbia University. Allan served in the Peace Corps in Liberia in the early 1960s. He is married and has been active in philanthropic efforts throughout his life.
DARCEY HURLBURT (Founding Board Member)
has been a Student Support Counselor for a non-profit Substance Abuse Prevention program for 30 years. Darcey produced original musicals with Erika Stadtlander at their non-profit Adirondack children’s theatre company for 14 years. She lives in upstate New York with her two dogs and her husband; together they are parents of Sara Hurlburt, who has served as an MMMM volunteer in Kenya.
DAWN DEFALCO (Founding Board Member)
has worked in the television production industry for most of her career. In recent years she has used her talents towards the hurricane relief efforts in NYC and currently works as a coordinator for The Health Enhancement Company, a global organization bringing health and wellness to the workplace environment. Dawn currently lives in upstate New York.
SARA HURLBURT (Board Member)
joined our board in 2022, although her journey began as an MMMM volunteer in Kenya in 2013. For the past decade, Sara has worked in a multitude of human services jobs. Currently she works as a crisis clinician and in trauma therapy in upstate New York. She also maintains a private practice and enjoys spending time with her husband and two dogs. Sara holds a Masters in Social Work from New York University.
HENRY OCHIENG AOL (Founding Team Member, Project Director)
has been a vital MMMM team member since 2012. Henry is an accomplished creative artist and has been teaching art, science, photography and technical skills to needy children in a Nairobi slum for over a decade. Henry is active in his church and is married with three beautiful children.
DIANA AWUOR OKELLO (Project Assistant)
has served MMMM as a loyal volunteer for many years. She joined our daily staff in 2021 with a focus on providing nutrition for our families, supporting our Project Coordinator and keeping our Nairobi office in order. Diana is active in her church and is passionate about assisting needy children.
JEFF KUNG’U GITENGURI (Website Designer, Tech Advisor)
is an experienced full-stack software engineer working in the information technology and services industry. He is skilled in web and mobile app development with a Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Chemistry and Business Management from Kenyatta University. Jeff is part of a group called Teen Code that focuses on equipping Kenyan high school students with entrepreneurial and computer programming skills. Jeff has been with MMMM since 2015.
