Who are the people behind this effort? They are men and women deeply committed to helping the poor of the world. There are two boards, one in Kenya and one in Boston. All board members are volunteers on both sides of the world.
Kenya Board
The Kenya Board is made up of very capable men and women who have set their minds to getting the job done. They have negotiated with the land owners to find a piece of land that was rich, affordable, and close to schools and churches. They arranged to have the electricity brought onto the land and the water to be channeled in from the town pipes. They did all of that and now we are in the building and our plans are becoming a reality.
The Kenya Board Members, left to right:
Caroline Muriithi, our Secretary and also our Director of Mothers who just graduated with a degree in management and a special certificate from SOS Village Mother's Training School.
Next to Caroline is Virginia Burbank, the founder and the president of An Orphan's Dream, Inc. as well as the Director of OASIS OF PEACE HOME FOR ORPHANS IN KENYA.
In the middle is Moses Mwangi, our vice president and the assistant manager of the construction of the buildings as well as the assistant manager of our farming investment.
Next to Moses is Dianah, our assistant treasurer, as well as our accountant. She is presently studying for her degree at Kenyatta University in Nairobi.
Next to Dianah is Paul Maringa, our treasurer and the General Manager of the entire building project. In addition, he is the Manager of our farming investement.
USA Board
The USA Board is made up of educators, nurses, nurse practitioners, graphic artists, and businessmen and women. This Board deals chiefly with fundraising. The hard work of all of the members has been remarkable. They have taken it upon themselves to run benefits for the orphanage, create flyers to be sent out to potential donors, and to speak at churches and schools about the plight of the orphans in Kenya and their plans to build a loving home for them. Their energy is amazing, and their integrity is impeccable.
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| Virginia Burbank | Paul Gitari Maringa | Symon Peter Maringa | Maddie McGinty | Judy Lavigniac |
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| Kristina Richards | Bob Ernst | Claire Putnicki | Kathy Palimeri | Jeanette Wusteney |
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| Josephine Costello | Patti Stadolnik | Arthur Darcy | Connie Darcy | Paul Putnicki |
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| Julie Berberan | Melissa O'Keefe |
Virginia Burbank – Virginia is the lady with the vision of an African orphanage for children who have lost their parents to AIDS. She is the international president of both the Kenyan Board of Oasis of Peace and the USA Board of An Orphan’s Dream, Inc. She was also a high school English teacher for 32 years, as well as a published writer.
Paul Gitari Maringa – Paul is on both the African and USA boards. He is also General Manager of our building project in Kenya , as well as our cultural consultant here in America. He is an ICT expert with a bias in techniques, part-time farmer, director of Church Choir and Christian Quartet, a wedding photographer, and a creator of professional videos. Paul enjoys burgers, room- temperature coke, and lots of rice.
Symon Peter Maringa – Symon is on both boards, Oasis of Peace and An Orphan’s Dream, Inc. He has a BS in Commerce from University of Nairobi, Kenya, and is also a Trade Consultant (Kenya). Symon is interested in diplomacy and international relations, and he enjoys church music, missions work, charity work, reading, hiking, camping, driving, banana cake, and a cup of tea.
Maddie McGinty – Maddie is the Chairperson of the Board of An Orphan’s Dream, Inc. as well as a registered nurse, teacher of life skills to homeless mothers, Parish Chairperson, member of the Vocation Committee, Divine Mercy Representative, Eucharistic Minister, and “Arise” facilitator. She is married to Jim, and is the mother of 3 “awesome” children and their spouses and grandmother to four grand-dogs, and she loves each one of them dearly. Maddie enjoys volunteering, animals, learning, walking, reading, and Bermuda.
Judy Lavigniac – Judy is the vice-president of An Orphan’s Dream, Inc. She is also a nurse practitioner, and has ministered in the Developing Worlds of Uganda and Kenya. She enjoys volunteering, music, and her family.
Kristina Richards – Kristina is the secretary of An Orphan’s Dream, Inc. She has a BS in Education, and has worked as a greeting card designer and Health Caregiver. She is also a mother of two grown sons, and she loves Jesus, Christian music, the Bible, antiques, collectibles, flea markets, and cyberspace.
Bob Ernst – Bob is the treasurer of An Orphan’s Dream, Inc. He has a BA in Economics and owns an insurance agency. He is also a father of six, and is still raising most of them. He enjoys fishing, gardening, and coaching.
Claire Putnicki – Claire is a mother of 4, grandmother of 10, registered nurse (retired), teacher of Family Life Education, Eucharistic minister, lector, and a part of the Marriage Preparation Program. She enjoys water-coloring, reading, flower-arranging, and hiking.
Kathy Palimeri – Kathy is a nurse practitioner and a volunteer in developing countries, especially Kenya. She is also the Chairman of Supermarket Fundraising Outreach.
Jeanette Wusteney – Jeanette is a wife and mother of four. With a BA and a Masters in Education, she has worked as a Spanish and Italian teacher, a 6th grade CCD teacher, and a Parent Advocate for Autism. She is a proud member of St. Christine’s Church Community of Marshfield, and she “enjoys every day as a gift from God.”
Josephine Costello - Josephine is a mother, grandmother, past President of the Quincy Garden Club, and a prolific artist.
Patti Stadolnik – A former learning disabilities teacher and educational publishing editor, Patti is married to Rob, and is the mother of 3 college/grad school-aged children. She enjoys volunteering, decorating, and traveling. For the Cornerstone Christian Academy ministry, she is a small group facilitator and equip ministry editor.
Arthur Darcy - Arthur and his wife Connie have been great supporters of An Orphan's Dream, Inc. from the beginning. They do much of the work behind the scenes , making our fundraisers successful.
Connie Darcy – Connie is a registered nurse, Trustee of Foyer of Charity, a mother, and a grandmother. She and her husband Arthur have been crucial members of the An Orphan’s Dream fundraising team.
Paul Putnicki – Paul has a BS in Civil Engineering, and is a retired Engineering and Construction Manager. He is also a father of 4, grandfather of 10, member of the Church Finance Council, Eucharistic Minister, Lector, and a member of the Marriage Preparation Program. Paul enjoys gardening, cooking, water-coloring, pastels, and hiking.
Julie Berberan – Julie is a real estate agent, mother of five, and is happily married to her husband, Bill.
Melissa O’Keefe – Melissa is a registered nurse who delivers babies and has ministered to children in a Kenyan orphanage. She is also a fundraiser extraordinaire, is studying for an advanced degree, and is a member of both boards, Kenyan and USA.
Not Pictured – Susan Finn – Susan is Assistant Treasurer of An Orphan’s Dream, Inc., an Administrative Facilitator, Elementary School Classroom Manager, and member of the Leadership Team of Norfolk County Teachers’ Association. She enjoys caring for her home, gardening, and fitness programs.
We are always looking for volunteers. Volunteering your time can be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life. Sign up now to make the Oasis of Peace Orphanage a reality.
Our orphanage will only be big enough for 100 children, but 2 million children have been orphaned by AIDS. Help us advocate for change.
Help us build and furnish the orphanage by making a donation online, by phone, or through the mail. No amount is too small, so please help today.
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