Oaks Africa: An Overview
We started Oaks Africa Foundation as a non-profit organization in Kenya, East Africa, on October 5th, 2015, and registered it under the Company Act (Cap.486) thus operating as a company limited by guarantee.
Oaks Africa Foundation is dedicated to enabling needy individuals to pursue their educational dreams. We do this by granting partial scholarships to meet their tuition and related costs. We firmly believe in ensuring these individuals have access to educational opportunities because this directly influences the creation of an environment where every individual has a fair chance to succeed.
OUR NAME
Our Name Is Deeply Connected To Transformation And Growth
We chose “Oaks of Righteousness” in Isaiah 61:3 because it symbolizes people transformed and made serviceable for divine glory.
We are dedicated to creating lasting positive change in individuals’ lives and helping them change their environment once they achieve their dreams.
OUR CREED
At Oaks Africa Foundation we derive our inspiration and motivation for service to the society from our Creed Statement, which states as follows:
“We believe an individual living under the yokes of injustices, oppression, and inadequate information brought about by glaring inequalities in the distribution of resources and opportunities can be empowered and transformed if we facilitate and impart appropriate knowledge so that they can be of use as “Oaks of righteousness” to rebuild and retrofit their own hitherto ruined infrastructure and systems.”
OUR VISION
We envision a strong and empowered community that is in a symbiotic relationship with its environment, and with equal access to services and opportunities
OUR MISSION
We believe in the inalienable dignity of an individual. At Oaks Africa Foundation, we attempt to supplement government efforts to address Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) under the guidance of our core values. In order to achieve this we mobilize resources for non-profit purposes, both from private and public sources, so as to empower needy individuals to meet their lifetime educational goals.
OUR CORE VALUES
INTEGRITY
Integrity in management of funds and other resources at our disposal.
COLLABORATIONS
We foster collaborations with relevant government agencies in discharging our mandate.
TRANSPARENCY
We strive to listen and learn and to model openness and transparency.
ACCOUNTABILITY
We are accountable to each other, to our creed, to our development partners, and to society at large.
Project Area & Thematic Areas
Our primary focus is Africa, starting in Eastern Africa with operations in Kenya’s Bomet and Kericho Counties. Despite rapid regional growth, millions lack basic services and opportunities, especially women and youth.
Oaks Africa Foundation addresses these inequities through collaboration with local communities and development partners, focusing on three areas:
- Education
- Green Growth Infrastructure (Afforestation and Reforestation)
- Water and Sanitation
Currently, we concentrate on Education due to limited resources.
MEET OUR TEAM
Eng. Onesmus Kipkirui Arap Maritim
He is the Chairman and Founder of the Foundation and has over 30 years of working experience in Water Processing and Machinery Utilization.
An engineer by profession, he is also a missionary committed to faithful service. He values integrity and quality. He strives to holistically contribute to individual development and the advancement of humanity.
Patricia is the Foundation’s Chief Financial Advisor/Accountant. She is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) who completed her course in Kenya and is also licensed in the State of Virginia, USA. She has over 15 years of accounting experience in corporate and field accounting and is an invaluable asset in fund mobilization, accounting, and auditing.
Patricia Chepkurui
Beryl Chelang'at
Beryl is a seasoned Public Health professional with over 12 years of management experience in the public and private sectors. With a track record of managing complex public health projects that drive social impact, she is known within the industry as a go-getter. Beryl is currently pursuing her PhD studies and is an invaluable asset as a Trustee and Resource Mobilization Manager.