About The Nguutu Foundation
Welcome to The Nguutu Foundation!
The Nguutu Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to funding education and community infrastructure development in Masimba, Kitui County, Kenya. Our team is committed to making a difference by providing access to quality education and enhancing the local infrastructure. We believe in the power of education to transform lives and drive sustainable development. Our story is rooted in the community, and our passion drives us to make a meaningful impact.
Our vision is to transform the people of Kitui, Kenya into a thriving community by implementing agricultural and educational infrastructure, fostering sustainable growth, and enhancing the quality of life for all residents.
Meet The Team
Dennis Nguutu
Founder, CEO, and visionary leader passionate about driving change in the face of slim odds.
Michael and Jill Steiner
Business strategist responsible for core organizational functions, from valuable partnerships to securing key project donors.
John Blackwell
Founder, professor, and philanthropist with a heart for spreading love, joy and literary education.
Michael Caiazza
Driven business development leader with a strong commitment to transformative community solutions.
Scott Halvorson
Why Kenya?
Imagine living in a remote village with no roads, no water, insufficient food, and the nearest school about 7 miles away. That’s the reality I was born into. I was born in Masimba village in Kenya, and life's harshness confronted me early on. My first attempt to attend school was when I was about 5 years old, but the 7-mile trek was too much, so I stayed away for another two years to grow more.
During this time, I imagined a pleasant place called school that I couldn’t wait to join. However, when I finally did, Masimba Primary School was far from my expectations. It was severely lacking in resources—no water, few teachers, no books, classrooms, or desks. We sat on the dirt under a tree, writing our lessons for the day.
I persevered and completed middle school. We started with about 50 students, but only 13 of us made it to 8th grade, and I was the only one who finished high school. These students didn’t drop out because they lacked the desire for education, but due to the lack of resources to sustain their learning.
Unfortunately, the current situation hasn’t changed much, and today's students face the same challenges I did. It’s for this reason, especially after receiving a good education, that I want to give back so that future students can access better opportunities. Please join me in establishing a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) lab at Masimba High School to improve educational access.
Together, we can make a difference!
Thanks and be blessed.
Dennis Nguutu
President, The Nguutu Foundation