our TEAM
Meet The idid Team
United by shared interests, our Kenyan and Scottish team came together with the common aim of providing greater resources to those most in need.
Stephen Vertigans
Professor (Emeritus) of Sociology and until recently Dean of School of Applied Social Studies at Robert Gordon University in the U.K, where he worked for 20 years. As part of these roles, over the last 10 years, Stephen regularly visited Nairobi and undertook research in informal settlements. Projects have included the ways in which local people develop resilience, how they build peace during tense presidential elections, how they address food insecurity, exploring experiences of older populations in informal settlements and the effectiveness of training programmes for young people.
Maya Vertigans
Maya Vertigans is the Founder of Planner Bee VA Services, a Virtual Assistant service specialising in supporting sustainable and ethical businesses through the provision of marketing, admin and carbon footprinting services. Planner Bee VA Services has joined idid as the Marketing Partner and has also supported the Kenyan CBOs with enhancing their online presence, to connect with international donors.
isabel Vertigans
After graduating in German and Linguistics, Isabel combines teaching with a marketing and communication role with Planner Bee VA Services. Recently with Planner Bee, she has been helping small businesses calculate their carbon footprint and work towards becoming more sustainable.
kenyan partners
John Kyalo, Global Vision Achievers
John Kyalo is a dedicated community leader from Kibera, Raised in Kibera, I'm the founder and director of Global Vision Achievers, an organization focused on empowering underprivileged women, youth, and children through education, mentorship, and community development programs. With a passion for creating sustainable change, I have led many initiatives to improve lives in Kibera.
Caroline Yula Musyoka, Interventions Africa
Caroline is the chief visionary officer at Interventions Africa and an education enthusiast. Her deep commitment to education stems from her own upbringing in Kibera Slum in Nairobi, Kenya, where she witnessed firsthand the transformative power of education in breaking the cycle of poverty. Her mission is to ensure that every child, regardless of their socio-economic background, has access to quality education and the tools they need to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
Dr Tom Oketch, La Vie Foundation
Dr Tom Oketch has dedicated over three decades to uplifting the lives of vulnerable populations. His journey as a Community Development Practitioner, Social Worker, Human Rights Defender and Social Justice Activist extends across a diverse spectrum of marginalised groups, including older persons, vulnerable children, underage and teen mothers, disabled individuals, the sick in poor environments, the LGBTIQ community, sex workers, persons living with HIV, persons struggling with drug and alcohol addiction, marginalised ethnic communities, and refugees at risk.
Susan Mueni, Making a Difference (MAD) Sisters, Kenya
Susan Mueni is the founder and team leader at Making A Difference (MAD) Sisters. Susan is deeply passionate about improving the lives of women and girls, and her work revolves around gender equality, women's rights, and access to education and economic opportunities. Susan grew up in the informal settlement of Kibera, witnessing and experiencing inequalities and challenges facing girls and women such as abject poverty, gender-based violence, lack of sanitary products and lack of access to education. Throughout her career, Susan has worked closely with marginalized communities, including survivors of domestic violence, women living in poverty, and girls who lack access to education.
Samuel Omoll, Mng’aro Mtaani
Samuel Omoll alias Torez is a CEO of Mng’aro Mtaani CBO with over 10 years of experience in facilitating organizational progress in non-profitable activities such as charity works through his earlier career in journalism. He leverages a holistic approach to organizational development to assist non-profits in maximizing services to the vulnerable in the society. A dedicated philanthropist towards a variety of social causes such as economic empowerment, sustainable livelihood, health and hygiene activist among other charity engagements. As a strategic partner to other non-profit entities, Torez blends his work ethic and displays the passion for social impact activities with other business entities to make the world a better place.
Milliscent Akinyi, Nawiri Ladies
Milliscent Akinyi was born and raised in Mukuru Kwa Njenga Slums Nairobi Kenya. I am a sexual and gender based violence advocate and a community leader. I am the chairperson and founder of Nawiri Ladies Community Based Organization which is based in Embakasi South Sub county in Nairobi. I hold a diploma in Business Management and have skills and knowledge on Research, Advocacy, Sexual and Gender based violence, Sexual and reproductive health rights. For adolescent girls and young women I am also a mentor.
Frederick Ogola, Restoring Dignity Foundation
Growing up in Korogocho amid poverty and injustice, I founded the Restoring Dignity Foundation two decades later to champion Article 43 of the Kenyan Constitution, focusing on economic and social rights. Committed to uplifting the less privileged, our activism aids elderly families, supports students, and empowers teenage mothers. With 15+ years of experience, my leadership in community organizing and human rights advocacy has made a tangible impact. From influencing Kenya's constitution to pioneering innovative approaches like theater for development, I strive for unity and empowerment, driving positive change in Korogocho and beyond.
