The Jamii Moja Story
Jane Tormey, Founder
Jane Tormey, founder of Jamii Moja, first visited Kenya in 2005 with her 5 children on a volunteer vacation. Working side by side with her children, she established a deep friendship with the Maasai.
In July 2005, Jane’s friend Gail McCormick joined her and 12 youth, as they lived and worked in Maji Moto, a Maasai community in Kenya. During this trip they established friendships with community leaders Salaton, Hellen and Sabore. It was through these relationships, their passion for the Maasai culture and people that Jamii Moja was founded in 2008.
After a year long battle with cancer, Jane passed away on October 30, 2009. Jane dedicated her life to her family and to the service of others. Her compassion, love and vision for her Kenyan ‘family ‘ are the very embodiment of Jamii Moja.
Jamii Moja continues to champion education, health & well-being, and community while honoring and respecting the ancient Maasai culture.
Who We Are - Meet the Board
Kayleen Kusterer
Kayleen Kusterer
Kayleen Kusterer
Kayleen spent 30 years in the corporate world where achieving business success was her North Star. During her career she dedicated time and energy to many non-profit organizations.
Traveling to Kenya several times opened her heart to the Maasai children and the challenges the face. Upon retiring from the corporate world, she is blessed
Kayleen spent 30 years in the corporate world where achieving business success was her North Star. During her career she dedicated time and energy to many non-profit organizations.
Traveling to Kenya several times opened her heart to the Maasai children and the challenges the face. Upon retiring from the corporate world, she is blessed with more time to pursue her passions.
As chair of Jamii Moja, she manages the many programs and people associated with strengthening the infrastructure, bringing medical relief to and fostering the education of Maasai communities. She believes a better world is possible.
Janet Moss
Kayleen Kusterer
Kayleen Kusterer
Janet brings 30 years experience in leadership, project management & product creation large multinational corporations. She has traveled all over the world, and has a passion for Kenya.
Janet has had the honor of sitting on several boards and has a passion for mentoring and teaching. She is a busy mother of three and is proud that her
Janet brings 30 years experience in leadership, project management & product creation large multinational corporations. She has traveled all over the world, and has a passion for Kenya.
Janet has had the honor of sitting on several boards and has a passion for mentoring and teaching. She is a busy mother of three and is proud that her children are carrying on the passion for supporting philanthropy. She loves the work of Jamii Moja and the work of improving lives.
Caty Brown
Kelsey Francis
Kelsey Francis
Caty joins the Jamii Moja board with a passion for the people and communities of Kenya, as well as a history of volunteer service in the community and work in the corporate world.
As a college student, Caty spent 6 months living and traveling throughout the country to study pastoralism and the economic and health systems. She understand
Caty joins the Jamii Moja board with a passion for the people and communities of Kenya, as well as a history of volunteer service in the community and work in the corporate world.
As a college student, Caty spent 6 months living and traveling throughout the country to study pastoralism and the economic and health systems. She understands the obstacles youth face in the rural countryside.
Married and raised two sons in the NW, she continues to volunteer and work within the private and public sector contributing her skills by managing teams, projects and implementing organizational systems.
Caty, now retired, is excited to join the board and contribute her experience, skills and time to the mission of Jamii Moja.
Kelsey Francis
Kelsey Francis
Kelsey Francis
Meet our Key Partners
Hellen Nkuraiya
Salaton Ole Ntutu, Maasai Chief
Salaton Ole Ntutu, Maasai Chief
Born into a traditional Masaai family, Hellen Nkuriaya was married off in exchange for cows multiple times by her father, starting at the age of nine. Hellen bravely stood up to family and community pressures in order to escape from these marriages and attend school. Her hard work and commitment were eventually rewarded with a scholars
Born into a traditional Masaai family, Hellen Nkuriaya was married off in exchange for cows multiple times by her father, starting at the age of nine. Hellen bravely stood up to family and community pressures in order to escape from these marriages and attend school. Her hard work and commitment were eventually rewarded with a scholarship to go on to higher education.
Now, Hellen is a fierce advocate for local women and girls, fighting for their right to be free from child marriage, free from female genital mutilation (FGM), and free to access education. FGM is a life-threatening procedure, widely considered to be a human rights violation, that has been banned in Kenya since 2011; however, it is still widely practiced in rural, tribal communities like Maji Moto. Despite advocating for the elimination of these harmful practices, Hellen also works to preserve traditional Masaai culture and is an outstanding, respected leader in her community.
Rescue Center: In 2002, Hellen started rescuing girls from FGM. While FGM is officially outlawed by the Kenyan government, many continue the practice as part of their culture and a rite of passage for girls. As a former government teacher, Hellen knew the best way to protect girls was to enroll them in school where they are cared for, educated, and under the protection of the Kenyan government. According to Helen, there are always more girls than available spots for them at the school.
Enkiteng Lepa School: Maji Moto’s Enkiteng Lepa School was founded by Hellen in 2008 and is now a four-classroom school with administrative buildings, a dormitory and housing for teachers. This educational complex enables Maji Moto community members – both children and adults, though mainly young girls – to receive basic education. Evening courses are also provided to allow children who must care for livestock during the day, and adults who wish to further their education, to access education.
Salaton Ole Ntutu, Maasai Chief
Salaton Ole Ntutu, Maasai Chief
Salaton Ole Ntutu, Maasai Chief
Born and raised in the heart of the African savanna, Salaton Ole Ntutu is a warrior, community chief, shaman, and visionary leader of the nomadic Maasai tribe in Kenya. As has been practiced by the Maasai for centuries, Salaton left his family at age 14 to begin his 'warriorship' where he survived in the wild African bush for more than 7
Born and raised in the heart of the African savanna, Salaton Ole Ntutu is a warrior, community chief, shaman, and visionary leader of the nomadic Maasai tribe in Kenya. As has been practiced by the Maasai for centuries, Salaton left his family at age 14 to begin his 'warriorship' where he survived in the wild African bush for more than 7 years. Living amongst the wild animals with nothing by his blanket and spear, Salaton developed the survival skills he was taught as a young boy, with a knowledge and attunement with nature that has become virtually forgotten in the modern western world.
Today, Salaton is recognized for his courage and wisdom in his village of Maji Moto, where he was chosen as the cultural chief and new elder. he is a key partner and advisor for international non profit organizations that support the Narok region. he has been the community leader and advisor for the construction of safe learning environments and scholarships for children who would not otherwise have had access to school. He also champions projects for self sustaining community through self sustaining employment, water projects, education, and collaborating with international organizations. He also provides a home in the village of Maji Moto for girls rescued from circumcision and early marriage, widows and women with AIDS.
Salaton's passion in life is to preserve his culture and environment. During his visits to the US and Europe, he actively fundraises for projects and initiatives, including water resource projects, the purchase of land to provide space for Maasai lifestyle to continue and to protect holy and healing plants and trees, building a self sustaining economy through tourism and continued support of educational programs.
Sabore Ole Oyie, Village Elder
Salaton Ole Ntutu, Maasai Chief
Sabore Ole Oyie, Village Elder
Born in Ewaso Nyro Kenya, the oldest of 16 children and the only child in his family to receive an education. Sabore is fluent in three languages and has travelled extensively with the Kenya Tourism Board to Japan, Poland, Germany, Czech Republic, Sweden, South Africa, England and US. He has received the "Distinction of Leadership" hono
Born in Ewaso Nyro Kenya, the oldest of 16 children and the only child in his family to receive an education. Sabore is fluent in three languages and has travelled extensively with the Kenya Tourism Board to Japan, Poland, Germany, Czech Republic, Sweden, South Africa, England and US. He has received the "Distinction of Leadership" honor and has been selected for warrior training from the elders in his community.
In 2010, Sabore was chosen to participate in The Global Leaders for Justice workshop conducted at Santa Clara University, a high honor within his community.
Sabore has utilized his experiences formal education, warrior training, and his knowledge of the world to teach his native community about the importance of attending school while also embracing the maasai tradition and culture. He is currently working in collaboration with the Jamii Moja building of a Vocational Training Center for the people of his village.