our Board of Directors
Doug Pierce
President/Co-Founder
I first fell in love with the Lumakanda area and its people when I led student groups from UW-Madison, over winter break, to host a children’s camp.
During that time, I had the privilege to work closely with Mark Okello, a local Social worker. I learned to appreciate his personal story and commitment to Kenyan children and education. The gifts and insights Mark brings to our vision cannot be overstated. I also met many local leaders and was inspired by their dedication to make a difference where they are able.
Our effort is not meant to be a large institutional response to the problems faced by Children in Especially Difficult Circumstances in the Lumakanda area. We do believe, however, that the lives Okoa Toto touches-and hopefully changes- will have a long lasting and ripple effect in the entire region.
Over the years, professionally, I was actively engaged in a variety of efforts with an international focus. This included, developing multiple “service-learning” opportunities for UW-Madison students to Cambodia, Chiapas, Northern Ireland, Honduras, Israel/Palestine, Costa Rica, Sri Lanka, Nepal and of course, Kenya.
Okoa Toto is just a natural next step for me, now retired, to continue pursuing the things I love, hoping to make a difference in the process.
Kathy Schmitz
Vice-President/Co-Founder
Growing up in a family with two aunts who are Franciscan Sisters, I have always had a passion to help others, especially those in poverty.
This passion was reignited when in 2011, I traveled to Kenya with my husband and a group of UW-Madison students to provide a week long camp for disadvantaged children. Our camp was just outside Eldoret, near Lumakanda. While there, I grew tremendously fond of the local culture and people, especially the children. I discovered that those with very little often give more to us, then we do to them. Our group marveled at the “Kenyan spirit,” and their joy of living, even amidst incredibly difficult circumstances.
My background includes a journalism degree from Marquette University and a Masters degree in Business from Cardinal Stritch University. Professionally, I served as the Chief Communications Officer for Ascension Columbia St. Mary’s for 22 years and as the Executive Director of the Medical Society of Milwaukee County and Foundation for seven years. I am currently the Executive Director of the Vilas County Economic Development Corporation.
Ann Shurte
Treasurer
As an educator, children have been at the heart of everything I do for as long as I can remember. I have been teaching for 24 years, the majority of those years teaching special education in Waukesha, WI. My background includes a Bachelors in Elementary Education with a Spanish minor, as well as a Masters in Special Education and a Masters in Educational Leadership. While I have always enjoyed community service projects, my true passion for mission work was ignited when I traveled to Honduras for the first time in 2003. I spent two weeks with a group working alongside the Honduran people to build a house for a family. I believe there is a ripple effect in all that we do and I am very excited to be joining the Okoa Toto Board as we work to build a home that will ultimately empower groups of young people in such a way that will positively impact the greater community of Lumakanda.
Cassie Gamble
Board Member
Since early on in my life, I have had a passion for learning about and experiencing other cultures and working with people to make the world a better place. I firmly believe that every child deserves the opportunity to be successful in life and that safe and stable housing, healthcare, and education are human rights. My dream is to work with an international organization focused on children and/or human rights. I have a Bachelor’s in Human Social Services and an Interdisciplinary Study (a combination of Anthropology, Business, and Mandarin Chinese) from Wisconsin Lutheran College in Milwaukee, WI and a Masters of Sustainable Peacebuilding from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee. I have 10+ years of experience working with children and families involved in the child welfare system in Milwaukee, WI.
My passion for traveling and experiencing other cultures have taken me all over the world including trips to Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Wales, and England with People to People Student Ambassadors, a high school trip to Mexico where we spent a day at a children’s home, and studying abroad in Fiji while pursuing my Bachelor’s degree. Following my Bachelor’s degree I volunteered with Habitat for Humanity International in South Africa (2015) and the Philippines (2016). While working towards my Master’s degree, I attended and presented at the East African Psychology Conference 2018 in Uganda, completed a fieldwork project at International Peace Initiatives in Meru, Kenya, and served as a research assistant for a project on intimate partner violence in the Dominican Republic. I currently live in the Dominican Republic and teach English online through VIPKid.
I am honored to be a member of the Board of Directors for Okoa Toto as I share in the mission and values in working with the community in Lumakanda to provide a better life and an opportunity for a better future for the children there.
Board Member
My experience in the field of elementary education, spanning 35 years in both teaching and administration, has fostered a deep-seated commitment to enhancing the lives of children. My global travels have exposed me to diverse perspectives and the myriad of challenges that people face, solidifying my conviction that every child deserves a life filled with security, happiness, and fulfillment, irrespective of their circumstances.
The Okoa Toto mission resonated deeply with me, sparking an immediate desire to become more involved. The work they are doing is so important, and I want to be a part of the positive impact Okoa Toto is making on the lives of the children, their caregivers and families. I started as many do, with small, occasional donations. Over time, my interest grew. I took on a sponsorship role for a child living in the house.
I am enthusiastic about supporting Okoa Toto’s mission and vision. By supporting Okoa Toto, I hope to play a part in ensuring that the children in their care receive the support they need to thrive. I’m also committed to helping build a future where all children have the knowledge, resources, and opportunities to create a better world for themselves and for generations to come.
Lumakanda-Based Advisory Council
Mark Okello
Facilitator (non-voting member)
Mark is a social worker by profession and child champion. He is the current country coordinator for the Jirani Project and Africa Exchange Organizations. He lives in Lumakanda, Western Province. He was a child who was helped by Compassion International. He continues to be an active volunteer in that organization. Mark is married and has seven children.
Judith Indeche
Judith has lived in Lumakanda for many years along with her family. She has a boy who is taking his Kenya National examination ending his primary education (grade 8), and a girl in high school, (grade 11). Judith has been influential in family matters within the location. She is trained in tailoring and early childhood development.
Martin Onesmas
Martin is a teacher and will assist with education. He teaches at a public school in the county. He is married and has five children. Martin’s wife is also a teacher and lives in Lumakanda.
Dorine Ayuma
Dorine is a clinical nurse by profession and works at the Lumakanda District Hospital. She is from the Neighboring Ward (Chekalin), is married and lives in Lumakanda. Dorine has two children.
Reverend Titus Kubia
Reverend Titus is a minister in the Church of God denomination. Church of God was started in East Africa in the 1900s by missionaries from Anderson, Indiana. Reverend Titus is the area overseer in Lumakanda and a longtime resident of Lumakanda. He is married and has children.
Everlyn Miloyo Andabwa
A long-time resident of Lumakanda, Everlyn works with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, a government agency. A widow with three children, Everlyn also works as a secretary and tailor in Lumakanda.
Home Staff
Kevina Iria Ngitia
House Manager
Joshua
Handyman
Joan
Cook
Christine
Matron
Erick
Security Guard
Okoa Toto Inc. is a 501c(3) charitable organization. Donations are tax-deductible, please consult your tax advisor.
The Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions has certified Okoa Toto Inc. to engage in business as a CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION in the state of Wisconsin- effective January 26, 2018
Okoa Toto has received a Republic of Kenya certificate of registration of Community Based Organization (CBO) from the Ministry of East African Community, Labour and Social Protection, effective March 09, 2018.