NYAMBOYO TECHNICAL SCHOOL (NTS) - Key Persons
Mr. Nyambeche is a 2017 graduate from Kisii National Polytechnic where he earned degrees in English and Geography. After graduation, he spent the 2018 academic year as a teacher trainee at Amariba Secondary School. In 2019, he taught communication skills at Kisii National Polytechnic. He is proud to join NTS as our first English As A Second Language Instructor, building both the English curriculum and our international Marafiki Penpal Program.
The only boy in a family of 5 children, Mr. Allan (as he is known to his students) is the child of farmers who were very business-centered. They would sell agricultural products saving money to send their children to school. As a result, he and his siblings have experienced the power education has to move an entire generation out of poverty.
Job Titles:
- Lead Teacher Electrical Wiring
A skilled professional electrician working on regional and local projects, Geoffrey Masamo heads NTS' Electrical Wiring Program with a passion for community development and instilling values of social responsibility.
Mr. Masamo has a professional diploma in the electrical fields and is registered as a Certified Electrical Installer by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) and the Kenya Power Lighting Company (KPLC). He has worked as a professional electrician and on electronic installations for many projects both in the Nyamboyo community and in the Kisii region.
Notably, from 2015-2018, Mr. Masamo was involved in the Kenyan government's Laptops for Primary Schools program. He worked as a Team Leader in the Electrical Installation Department. He also worked as a technician in a manufacturing industry from 2011-2014.
In addition to his duties at NTS, he takes his students into the field for practical, professional experience.
Hannah comes to NTS with over 9 years of experience working with educational nonprofits in East Africa. She began her work in Uganda with The Clover Foundation which provides free preschool education to children in Kampala, Uganda, and now sits on the Board of Directors.
Hannah works closely with the team to manage all NTS programs, including adapting an ESL program for East-African learners, that includes written curriculum and visual curriculum as well as hundreds of audio segments designed to teach students to understand English spoken with both UK and American accents.
Hannah also oversees many school operations, developing policy, testing curriculum, and operational materials. Hannah's time spent in Uganda and Kenya helps NTS foster positive communication and understanding across cultures.
Hannah graduated from Smith College with a degree in Government, and a focus in International Relations. She is located in Boston, MA.
Job Titles:
- Lead Teacher Hairdressing
The leader of our AFRIpads program, Madame Irene was promoted to Senior Hairdressing Instructor in 2023. She is a hair-braiding specialist and experienced instructor at both the secondary and university levels.
Irene Kwamboka joined NTS in June 2021 as an assistant teacher, taking over as Lead Teacher in 2023. Prior to joining NTS, she worked as a hair braiding specialist at Komina Salon in Kisii town. She began her academic career as a volunteer in the Hairdressing Department at Entanke Polytechnic where she discovered her love for teaching.
Irene, called Madame Irene by her students, loves NTS because of opportunity to mold these young students into polished professionals. She is dedicated to seeing each student graduate, prepared to succeed in the professional world.
Madame Irene is a graduate of Kisii Polytechnic where she earned her Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy Diploma.
"I am overjoyed and learning something new every time I see my students understand and complete a hairdressing task. Each task is a step toward becoming a confident professional."
Job Titles:
- Director
- Founder
- Founder and Director, NTS
Jones Obiria is the Founder and School Director of Nyamboyo Technical School. At age six, Jones was sent to work on a nearby farm, herding cattle. Through the generosity of his employer, he was able to attend school, and eventually graduated from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology with a degree in Information, Communication and Technology.
In 2009, Jones returned to Nyamboyo Village determined to bring education to his community. From 2009-2013, he led a computer and internet access center for local youth. In January 2019, he officially opened NTS, making his dream of vocational education for the poor youth in his community, a reality.
In 2019, Julie joined forces with Jones to create NTS. They work in partnership building programs, curriculum, policy, long-term planning and the overall school model for replication. Julie will lead this replication movement in 2024, bringing the NTS model to other communities.
Prior to NTS, Julie was a co-founder of the Kleptocracy Initiative at Hudson Institute in Washington, DC, and was the Executive Director of the Young Entrepreneurs Alliance in Boston, which created entrepreneurial teen-led businesses in juvenile justice facilities and vocational high schools.
Originally a theatre director, Julie was the Assistant Artistic Director at Musical Theatre Works in NYC, Executive Director of Plays for Living, and held a faculty position at the University of Michigan in their Musical Theatre Program.
Job Titles:
- Lead Teacher Carpentry & Masonry
A regional leader in masonry and carpentry, Paul Sangara is also a career educator and Nyamboyo Village Elder, skilled in working with at-risk youth and their families.
Mr. Sangara has a professional diploma in the construction fields and is registered as a Certified Technician in Building and Construction by The Kenya National Construction Authority (NCA). He has successfully overseen and completed many projects both in our community and in the Kisii region. Currently, he is the Construction Supervisor for a local school dormitory project. His past teaching experience includes 7 years as the masonry instructor at Nyandusi Youth Polytechnic School.
In addition to teaching at NTS, when Mr. Sangara has a local professional project, he takes his students to the building site, where they have real-time, practical training. He reports that the students are enthusiastic on-site learners.
In addition to his work and teaching, Mr. Sangara is a village elder. In this respected community leadership role, he is able to help many families with at-risk youth. He has been a dedicated recruiter for NTS.
A self-made entrepreneur and professional examiner for the NITA exam, Silas Matagaro is dedicated to breaking the community poverty cycle through teaching tailoring as a professional skill.
Mr. Matagaro has a professional diploma in Tailoring from the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA). He is also one of their national examiners, certifying professionals across Kenya. From 2010-2013, Mr. Matagaro was a tailoring instructor at Nyamagesa Youth Polytechnic School. He is a prominent school uniform designer in our region.
In addition, Mr. Matagaro is an entrepreneur/small business owner and owns a tailoring business in Masimba Town where he serves a local clientele of 200 people.
Mr. Matagaro welcomes his trainees to work in his shop over the weekends for on-site practical skills.
In addition to his school and professional duties, Mr. Matagaro is a patron in Enchoro, Nyamboyo's local Christian community church. In this position, he works with the larger community, recruiting students for the school as well as sensitizing the community to the need for education and economic empowerment of our youth.