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Our organization is led by a small dedicated team, including founder Jones Obiria. We are lucky to be supported by our talented teachers and many committed community members.
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.
“My desire is to see many youth become self-reliant and break this cycle of poverty in our community. I believe our youth are the future and every individual has a talent.”
Lead Teacher | Carpentry & Masonry
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.
Lead Teacher | Hairdressing
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.”
“My primary goal is to instill my students with professional and practical skills in working as an electrician. I want them to be great, self-reliant professionals in the future. This is my community social responsibility.”
Lead Teacher | Electrical Wiring
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.
Lead Teacher | Tailoring
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.
“Youth are the future. If we do not break our community poverty cycle, things will worsen. One hour given to a youth in skills transfer has a better value than anything money can buy. We are the right people to do that. I pray that our youth will be able to acquire skills for a better tomorrow.”
“I enjoy working with the NTS youth because I believe as they develop and learn, they are empowered to make powerful, positive changes in their lives.”
English Teacher
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.
Executive Director | US Operations
Julie met Jones Obiria nearly 20 years ago when an American Catholic priest living in Kenya introduced the two social entrepreneurs. They built an early model for NTS in the early 2000’s, a computer center for teens in Nyamboyo Village.
Program Manager | US Operations
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.