In the far reaches of Western Kenya, a charity known as Justice and Mercy, has been reaching out to the poor and disadvantaged for over 25 years. Founded in 1997 by Rachel Woolmer and Amanda Thomas, JAM is the classic, ‘from small acorns, great trees grow’ organisation.

In April 2022, I travelled to Oyugis in Western Kenya with Rachel Woolmer, to see this work that had been started all those years ago. And not only to witness what JAM were achieving now but to meet the local people that were running this charitable outreach to the poor. Principally, we came to meet Kennedy Okoth Otieno, appointed CEO from the start and still in situ today.

We began our time by meeting the staff at JAM headquarters, just down the road from Kennedy’s house. We talked with staff running the office, the finance director and some of the medical personnel who were preparing for the influx of patients for their newly, government-funded clinic. With this funding in place, they will be able to provide much-needed healthcare for the people living in the villages nearby.

We visited the baby unit that was equipped to help women through the trauma of childbirth and beyond. It’s so wonderful that these facilities exist here in what is quite a remote region of Kenya, with many people living in the hills and on the plains in villages nearby. It was with pride that Kennedy was able to show us around and demonstrate what was on offer.

Alongside the medical facilities, we were shown the piece of ground within the JAM campus known as the demonstration plot. Here, local people are shown the best ways of cultivating drought-resistant crops and how to achieve the highest yield. It really is a great way of helping local villagers in a sustainable and positive way, re-educating them for the best possible outcomes.

The next morning we had a lovely time with the staff in the on-campus chapel where I was able to share some encouragement with the team. We later climbed into the JAM off-road vehicle and we visited some of the villages that are working with and benefiting from JAM intervention through their food security and animal husbandry schemes. This is all about making these villages self-sustainable and giving them a more positive and profitable future.

I spoke with Kennedy Okoth Otieno, Director & CEO of JAM, and he told me that they are seeking to ‘sow the seeds of a brighter future’ through transformation of “…rural community widows, poor farmers, people living with HIV, and Vulnerable Children.” Since 1995 when JAM began, God has guided Kennedy on His own path to mould this organization into a “…community-based organisation currently running five important projects: Integrated Health and community clinic, Food Security through Rural Organic farming, Education and psycho-social support, Water and sanitation, and finally Peacebuilding and reconciliation in western Kenya.”

Apart from coordinating these vital projects, Kennedy has also spent much time engaged in fundraising and doing presentations at international conferences, churches, and institutions. In addition, In 2019, he was honoured by a German international organization through the award of a Ph.D. Scholarship to undertake PhD in Development Studies.

In between his studies, Kennedy works for the organization twice a week, with a view to becoming a consultant within this field in the future. This, he feels, will help to expand fundraising and partnership with churches and schools.

Kennedy and his family accommodated us during our time in Oyugis and were so hospitable treating us to some real Kenyan food including that most Kenyan of all staples: Ugali. This really is an alternative to rice and goes well with fish, meat, and vegetables.

The Kenyans are such a musical and joyous people and we often met with singing when we visited different villages, which was a lovely experience in itself. I love that JAM is making a real, palpable difference in the lives of local Kenyans.