"Mama Ada knows that friendships between Americans and Kenyans will forever change the lives of all who enter this unique partnership - a partnership recognizing the benefits of a world in which we personally know each other - opening doors yet unimaginable."
Mama Ada’s Story
The power of Ada's dream has given rise to The Mama Ada Foundation, a faith-based initiative working within the worldwide fellowship of churches called The Anglican Communion.
The vision of The Mama Ada Foundation is to release the Rift Valley Province in Kenya from the bonds of poverty.
Our mission is to stimulate economic development. The Foundation creates education and entrepreneurship opportunities for people living in the Rift Valley by joining hands with churches, schools, leaders and friends in Kenya and the United States.
We work with local church committees in Kenya to identify people with needs in their communities. In this way, our work is truly rooted in the needs and ideas of the Kenyan people. A partner in faith and a partner in works, Bishop Christopher Rutto and his staff of the Anglican Diocese of Eldoret Diocese enable our organization to reach many people, while ensuring accountability and efficiencies.
All people are served, regardless of religious affiliation.
Mama Ada has lived in Kenya all her life - many of those years on a farm in a community called Ziwa. On this farm she has raised 11 children and tended her fields. Her home has been open to any and all - providing a place where people congregate, pray, sing, talk, eat and sleep – in a community of love and partnerships.
Many of Ada's neighbors are children living in poverty with great needs. Ada has watched as her community has suffered - child after child orphaned by AIDS, young people without school tuition, farmers without seeds to plant, jobs few and far between.
Witnessing these hardships has broken Ada's heart but not her spirit. Driven by her powerful faith in God's love for all people, she has opened her arms and embraced these children and community members, seeking to provide physical necessities as well as loving arms.
Yet Ada's resources are limited and she has reached out to us now….
Mama Ada’s Dream
A few years ago Ada spent time with family in Minnetonka, Minnesota, where she helped care for a new granddaughter. One of the places she visited was St. David's Episcopal Church where she worshipped God, met new friends and shared her dream.
Mama Ada's dream extends the sense of community that she nourishes in Ziwa - to churches, schools, neighborhoods and individuals in the United States. Her faithful vision sees the possibilities in Americans partnering with Kenyans to meet the needs of children and families and to build relationships nurtured in God's guiding hands.
Even though Ada has returned to her beloved country, her dream continues to grow as Kenyans and Americans come to know each other through The Mama Ada Foundation.
Vision and Mission
Rev. Jim Cook is the rector of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Our Board is very fortunate to have Jim as a member, given the strength of his faith in and his service to God. Jim’s educational background includes a wide range of studies, from college and graduate degrees in journalism to a Master of Divinity degree. He has served in parishes since 1994 and is passionate about helping people come to know Christ and to live into the love of God. Jim and his wife, Karen, live in Florida and have two grown sons.
Dr. James F. Engel, has worked internationally most of his adult life helping churches, Christian groups and Christian leaders around the world in leadership and ministry planning and evaluation. His books and writings are used worldwide. Our Board is most fortunate to have someone with the wealth and breadth of Jim’s international experience, particularly his extensive work in Africa. Dr. Engel is one of the founders of Daystar University in Kenya and has taught business marketing at University of Michigan, The Ohio State University and Wheaton College. Jim and his wife, Sharon, live in Minnesota. They have three grown daughters and also grandchildren, who have visited Kenya with them.
Mrs. Julie Keller has worked in nonprofit organizations that serve children and young adults in various ways. She has also worked for the Minnesota Department of Education as a statewide administrator of Head Start programs. Julie has a graduate degree in nonprofit/public management and currently does fund development and strategic planning for nonprofit and public organizations around the Twin Cities. Julie and her husband, Peter, live in Minnesota and have two sons.
Mrs. Shannon Richter is Chair of the Family Council for Watt Companies, working to facilitate the transfer of knowledge through generations and to write policies to guide future generations. She is also active in volunteering and fundraising in Minnetonka Public Schools, Pet Haven, and other organizations that empower others to help themselves, such as The Mama Ada Foundation. Formerly, she was a Food Scientist at The Pillsbury Company. Shannon has an MBA from the University of Minnesota, an M.S in Food Science from Kansas State University and a B.S. in Psychology from Duke University. She was born and raised in Los Angeles and currently resides, with her husband, Brad, and their three children in Minnesota.
Mr. John Sundell is a Financial Planner with New England Securities in Minneapolis, Minnesota where he offers financial planning services and insurance and investment products. John holds a degree from the University of Minnesota and subsequently earned the professional designation of Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) and Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU); John has received numerous professional awards. Parents of two, he and wife Diane, live in Minnesota. John is also involved in outreach work through a variety of prison ministries.
Mr. Ron McElhone was named Chief Financial Officer at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church and School in November 2001, after working for 13 years in the New Jersey public school system. Ron began his career as the Facilities Manager within Flemington-Raritan School District. He later worked in the same capacity at both Burlington and Lumberton Township Public Schools before relocating to Florida. Prior to working in education, he spent nine years in law enforcement. Ron earned a B.A. degree in Business Management from Eastern University in St. David's, Pennsylvania; he also holds several certificates in school facilities and safety planning. Ron and his wife, Chris, live in Florida and are the parents of a son and a daughter.
Mrs. Marsha Hunt is an award-winning floral and event designer in the Twin Cities. Her botanical reproductions and holiday décor appear in homes and accessory stores from the Twin Cities to Vail to Malibu. She is also active in charitable fundraising, working with such organizations as the Make a Wish Foundation and the Edina Community Foundation to deliver solid fundraising results through highly successful gala events. Prior to starting her floral design business, Marsha was a marketing research consultant in new product development and a senior scientist at General Mills. Marsha and her husband, Dan, live in Minnesota and have a son and a daughter.
Canon Sam McDonald is the Deputy Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Director of Mission for The Episcopal Church Center in New York City. His duties include oversight of the Episcopal Church's mission programs, grants, and scholarships. He's also responsible for management of mission funding, human resources, Information Technology (IT) and for development of service departments. Sam’s professional background includes serving in youth ministry and as a deputy to General Conventions of The Episcopal Church representing Ohio, as well as serving as a Canon to the Ordinary to the bishop in the Lexington Episcopal Diocese. Sam and his wife, Susan, live in Ohio and have three daughters.
Our Board of Directors
Won’t you join our partnership to help make Mama Ada's dream come true?
Dr. James F. Engel, Canon Sam McDonald, Mrs. Shannon Richter,
Rev. Jim Cook, Mr. John Sundell,
Mrs. Marsha Hunt, Mr. Ron McElhone, Mrs. Julie Keller
