Patinaai Osim is a grassroots initiative rooted in the heart of Kenya’s pastoralist communities. The name is coined from a Maasai expression loosely translated to “the one who brings me joy”. We work alongside Indigenous women, youth, and children to address the layered challenges they face, from limited access to education and healthcare to the erosion of culture and the impact of climate change. Every program we run is deeply grounded in community voice and designed to spark lasting transformation.
Our approach blends tradition with innovation. We center Maasai values while building new paths to opportunity through education, economic empowerment, reproductive health, environmental restoration, and cultural preservation. At the core of our work is a belief in dignity, equity, and resilience. If it’s a girl learning to read, a woman starting a business, or an elder sharing wisdom with youth, every story matters.
Patinaai Osim exists to make sure they’re heard, honored, and equipped to rise.
A continent where indigenous children, youth and women own and drive change in their communities
To create an ecosystem that appreciates, harnesses, and amplifies the voices, skills, knowledge, and resilience of indigenous children, women, and youth as drivers of long-lasting change.
Semerian Sankori is a community development expert with over 19 years of experience in girl education and social empowerment. She has dedicated her career to improving the lives of girls and women in the indigenous Maasai community.
Semerian is an adept strategist and an expert in program development, organization, planning, formulation, and implementation. Her skills have been instrumental in the successful startup and scaling of numerous projects in the Maasai community.
Through her work as the founder and Executive Director of Patinaai Osim, Semerian has focused on promoting childrens’ education and social empowerment. She is committed to changing the narrative for children, youth and women in indigenous communities, and her efforts have been instrumental in helping to improve their lives. Semerian’s passion and dedication to social justice make her a remarkable leader and advocate for positive change.
Naleke Konchela Alal is a community enthusiast with over 9 years’ experience in community based organizations and Non-governmental organizations in Kenya.
She has served in various projects from initiation stages to designing, monitoring and implementation and project closure while managing a team as well as capacity building programs. Naleke has been humbled to learn and share her knowledge and skills in Australia and Kenya. Naleke pursued an undergraduate in Environmental Health Bachelor of Science from Curtin University in Perth Western Australia, a Post Graduate Diploma in Project Management from Catholic University of Eastern Africa and Certification in Monitoring and Evaluation from Kenya Institute of Management.
She is currently a trainee in a self-development course and is part of the movement which aims to develop a person’s mind so that they can reach their full potential. She would like to dedicate more of her time to young women and youth empowerment through mentorship, coaching and increasing their access to economic, social and cultural rights.
Joe is a seasoned Finance, Strategy, and Operations leader with over 25 years of experience across multiple sectors including energy, infrastructure, international banking, agribusiness, NGOs, and government.
He has held senior roles where he led business transformation, implemented operational restructuring, and guided strategic decision-making with data-driven insights. His leadership is defined by a practical approach to complex systems and a sharp ability to align financial performance with long-term organizational growth.
As the Founder and CEO of Ufocus Ventures Ltd, Joe is now building a sustainable agribusiness enterprise that connects rural communities to local and international markets. Ufocus focuses on high-quality produce, ethical farming, and traceable supply chains. Under his leadership, the company integrates empowerment, aggregation, and sustainability to promote prosperity and healthier lifestyles while protecting the environment. Joe’s work reflects a deep commitment to inclusive economic growth and systems that work for both people and planet.
Angela is brand & marketing communication strategist with over a decade experience building and managing brands.
She has contributed to the growth and success of different multinational/multicultural brands in the private and development sectors, executing relevant strategic and targeted branded campaigns resulting in; increased awareness, stakeholder engagement and fostered bilateral partnerships.
Her career path has been focused on working with organizations in Kenya and Rwanda leveraging innovative approaches to create and implement holistic solutions that influence gender equality, access to education and health, behavior change as well as overall social impact through strategic cross-sector collaborations. She has provided social marketing technical assistance to impact led start-ups and capacity building training workshops for Community Based Organizations (CBOs).
Anne is a Project Management and Community Development enthusiast with a rich background in organizational governance and humanitarian work.
She has over 18 years demonstrated experience in project management, providing strategic advice that has contributed to the development and implementation of policy initiative across a range of community, industry and financial programs.
She has specialized in connecting partners in regional and rural development for education, young people, tourism, reporting and governance. She is a graduate of leadership training programs. She holds a Master of Business Administration postgraduate qualification and a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting and Business Majors).
A development professional working in operations and program management especially in the children and youth sector in East Africa and Australia.
Possess extensive experience as a leader who is able to mobilize teams to achieve goals by proper planning, creating a supportive work environment and leading in the development of appropriate systems and processes.
Siloma Stephen is a tech visionary and digital transformation advocate committed to unlocking the potential of rural youth through innovation, mentorship, and purposeful education.
With over a decade of experience in web development, digital marketing, and IT systems, he is connecting rural youth to global opportunities through hands-on training, mentorship, and job placement. Through the Digital Moran Academy and Agency, he has equipped hundreds of young people—especially in Maasailand—with skills in web development, branding, freelancing, and emerging tech like AI.
After leaving a corporate career, Siloma chose to return to the village and invest in overlooked talent. His work is driven by a belief in purpose over prestige and a vision of building a Silicon Savannah in the heart of rural Kenya. He champions equitable digital access, human-first design, and mentorship that transforms mindsets. Siloma’s mission is to prove that global talent doesn’t have to come from cities—it can rise from the most unexpected places.
Sankeita is a health administrator with over 15 years of experience in the healthcare sector.
Her work is driven by a strong commitment to healthy ageing, environmental sustainability, and the design of systems that promote long-term wellbeing for individuals and communities.
With over a decade of hands-on leadership, Sankeita brings a thoughtful, compassionate, and systems-oriented approach to healthcare. Her expertise spans policy implementation, service delivery improvement, and stakeholder engagement, making her a valuable asset to any organization focused on social impact and community resilience.
Beyond her professional pursuits, Sankeita enjoys landscaping, slow living, and raising her two young children—an experience that continually informs her deep appreciation for nurturing, balance, and sustainable futures.
Operations Support/Communication
Anniey, a Moi University graduate in Tourism Management who is pursuing a career in Virtual Assistant services.
Anniey has a rich background in administrative and communication and has experience in operations support for organizations.
Anniey is an enthusiastic supporter of our mission and vision and is motivated to continue supporting us as operations support.
She has a passion for sustainable tourism and community development, which aligns with our goals in supporting rural communities. With her dedication and enthusiasm, Her expertise in operations support and commitment to community development make her a vital contributor to the organization’s success.
Accountant
Ann is a well qualified and results oriented Finance professional and CPA with over 12 years of successful experience in examining and analyzing accounting records.
She analyzes financial statements and financial reports to assess accuracy and compliance with general accepted accounting principles and standards. Proven ability to identify deficiencies, formulate and implement corrective action plans to achieve compliance and mitigate risk.
Creative talent for cultivating rewarding relationships with clients and staff. Dynamic learner with facility for rapidly mastering new modalities. Highly competent in MS Office and various accounting programs. She is motivated to continue her support of Patinaai Osim as we realize our mission and vision.
Field Officer
Agnes is a field officer with a passion for improving education in rural indigenous communities.
With a background in education, Agnes is well-equipped to support schools and educational initiatives in the field. As a field officer, Agnes works tirelessly to ensure that schools and our educational programs are operating effectively.
She is dedicated to improving access to education for children in rural indigenous communities, and her efforts have helped to make a positive impact on our Education Program. Agnes is a passionate about education, and she believes that it is a fundamental human right that should be accessible to all. Her work as a field officer has allowed her to bring this passion to life by supporting schools and our educational programs in rural communities.
Lead Field Officer
Elijah, with a diploma in Business Administration, is driven by a passion for uplifting communities through innovative and sustainable solutions.
He is passionate about advancing sustainable energy and addressing climate change while championing education and economic empowerment for rural women and teenage girls.
Through his work with Patinaai Osim under the education program and the Teaching at the Right Level (TaRL) approach, Elijah has positively impacted over 1,000 learners in Kajiado County. His mission is clear: to be the catalyst for the meaningful change his community deserves.
Field Officer
Brian is a dedicated field officer. His passion for community empowerment is matched by his proactive approach to collecting and analyzing vital field data that informs key projects.
As an undergraduate at Kenyatta University, Brian has strengthened his expertise through specialized fellowship and training programs, earning a certificate in Community Engagement and Field Data Collection. This unique blend of academic knowledge and practical experience fuels his commitment to creating lasting, positive change within communities.
Patinaai Osim is what Maasai women call someone who brings them joy. That’s what we aim to be for our communities.
