SBK-FOUNDER

Dr. Esther Ngumbi

Dr. Esther Ngumbi is a Research Fellow with the Entomology Department at Auburn University, Alabama. She is a native of Kwale County, Kenya. Esther is very passionate about issues of hunger, gender, education, youth activism, agriculture and sustainability. She is a strong advocate for all efforts aimed at ending hunger in our lifetime. Esther is a motivational speaker and has given talks in several places including: University of Alabama, Kansas State, Texas Tech, University of Idaho, Auburn University, North Carolina State University. Esther has been involved in several initiatives including the Clinton Global University Initiative and Universities Fighting World Hunger. Esther is truly a dedicated servant for the people as seen in the long list of programs she has established in less than 4 years. This includes: a War on Hunger Chapter at University of Idaho, the Sustainable Campus Move-Out Program, Spring Break Kenya -an organization that is galvanizing young Kenyan students into service, and WISE Partnerships in Kenya- a program that partners Auburn University students with secondary schools in the coastal region of Kenya, thereby creating a mentoring support network. Esther is a co-founder of “Young Thinkers Kenya - creative and innovative towards sustainable development” . Esther is also co-founder of OYESKA Greens-a start up that is aiming at revolutionizing Agriculture at the Kenyan Coast http://www.oyeskagreens.com/.

Esther’s life of service and achievements were recently highlighted by Auburn University and Auburn University College of Agriculture http://www.ag.auburn.edu/comm/AI/2011/jun.pdf. For her service in the field of hunger, Esther was recognized as a finalist for President Clinton Global Hunger Leadership Award. Additionally, for her volunteerism, service, and leadership in the community, Esther was invited to the White House by the White House, Office of Public Engagement http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2011/12/20/community-leaders-briefing-series-one-campaign . Esther serves on several boards including, Just Save One Inc, MPULE Institute Youth ARISE Initiative. Esther was recently named by One World Action as one of the Top 100 Women: The Unseen Powerful Women Who Change the World. Esther served as a judge for 2014 Agricultural Innovation Prize, and will serve as a Faculty Expert for 2014 World Food Prize Global Youth Institute. Esther is currently serving as a Clinton Global University Initiative Commitment Mentor for Agriculture. Esther
Esther believes that everyone has a right to live a dignified life and has a right to an education, especially women. Education empowers individuals, and therefore, as long as she lives she will continue to use her education as a voice for the voiceless, and use her intellect to serve the needs of the hungry, the poor and the needy! Esther has a huge heart, an unstoppable passion and a deep commitment for developing Kenya, Africa, and our global community world-wide.

Letter from Board Chair

“Young people today have more power to change the world for the better than at any time in human history” - William J. Clinton, 42nd President of the United States Warm greetings from the Board Chair, Spring Break Kenya. Spring Break Kenya is the first initiative of its kind in Kenya whose goal is to foster community development by developing an active approach that engages young university students and professionals, community, industry, government organizations, NGO’s and Universities in “Creating the Change they Want to See. The unveiling of our first ever Kenyan Spring Break initiative marks a very important milestone in developing university graduate students that value the concept of public and community service. This is very in line with our own Kenya’s Vision 2030; that outlines Public service as a key foundation among others. We have a long-term goal of building a Center for Student Leadership, Ethics and Public Service-A Center that will work with university students, community members, industry, NGO’s AND Universities (both Private and Public) to coordinate and promote public service in Kenya. As a recent PhD graduate, who is committed to public service, and very engaged in several initiatives including Clinton Global University Initiative, I totally believe in this initiative. The opportunity to bring together university students, community members, industry, government organizations, and NGO’S to share ideas and contribute creative and innovative solutions to address most of the pressing issues facing our society is what this initiative is all about. Serving others requires sacrifice, hard work, self-discipline and determination. We value the contributions that all partners bring in to this initiative and welcome your participation. Your participation demonstrates your willingness to do your part to meet the challenges our communities face and work towards building a more prosperous nation and a better World. You represent Kenya at its best, getting things done and reinforcing the fundamental values of community, public service, responsibility and compassion.
Thank you,Esther Ngumbi, PhD