Today we’d like to introduce you to Walter Kamanda.
Walter, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I was born in the Slums of Kibera, the largest slums in Africa. I had a large family of seven, with my mother being a stay at home mom and my father the bread-winner. My father was a polygamist, so us children did not see him that much as he had to work hard to take care of two families. Going through school was very hard and many of the youths had to drop out due to financial difficulties, some killed by the Flying Squad Police, others died from illnesses, and some joined gangs. I was fortunate to have our mother to instill good moral values that enabled us to pass through the struggles and tribulations living in the slums. Sometimes we missed meals but that did not demolish our hope of having a better life in the future. After finishing high school, I joined a college in Kenya where I majored in Business Administration. With the little money my mother had saved from her small hotel business, she was able to pay my first six months of college tuition. I then worked hard and attained scholarships that made it possible for me to receive my diploma. I was given an award for the Best Student in Business Law. After graduating, I decided I wanted to pursue further education in the US. In 2007, I applied and got accepted into Wichita State University, and quickly making my way to the US on a Student Visa. My mother then passed away in 2009, motivating me to get into nursing and help change people’s lives. I became a Licensed Vocational Nurse in 2010 and graduated with my Bachelors of Business Administration in 2011, I continued my education further and became a Registered Nurse in 2017.
Has it been a smooth road?
Arriving to the US, I had $300, no car and lived in a small apartment with seven other people. I would have to work night shift stocking shelves at a local grocery store and go to school during the day. Having to find a ride to and from work late at night and early morning became a struggle.
When my mom passed away, I was not able to return home as I would not have been allowed back in US since I was out of status. That was very hard for me as I was very close to my mother.
Being the oldest son, and after losing my mom, I had to take on the responsibility of making sure my younger siblings had a better life. This can be difficult at times since I am living in the US and they remain in Kenya.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
In July of 2019, I visited Kenya with my family. Traveling through the Slums of Kibera, there was an obvious lack of waste management, clean water, healthcare, electricity, access to education and basic essentials. Water pipes ran through sewage water and piles of trash that contained human and animal feces, causing many diseases and illnesses within the community. Children were not able to attend school and others very frail from lack of food and clean water. After discussing for years an interest in giving back, I met with other like-minded individuals and the Tinlamp Foundation was born.
Our Foundation will not only deal with waste management, we are creating a system to ensure there is a long term solution. We will start by having a massive cleanup in March 2020, recruiting volunteers from the US and many locals to help jumpstart a cleaner community. We will employ youths to collect trash throughout the week and sort the recyclables. We are building clean water stations throughout the villages for families to collect clean water to decrease the spread of diseases. We have a community library and training center in the making for youth and mothers to receive vocational trainings and children to have a safe place with plenty of light to do homework. We will provide small business set ups for widows and youths to help combat poverty in the community. Educating the youth is essential for their success in life.
Between our trips to Kenya, the Tinlamp Foundation volunteers locally in Forth Worth, Texas, picking up trash at local parks and alongside highways, as well as feeding the homeless. Members involve their families, friends and coworkers to spend one to two days a week volunteering.
We have a wonderful, diverse team of individuals from several different countries and backgrounds. All having the same drive to give back to our communities & brighten lives.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I feel like any city would be a great place for someone to do volunteer work. Whether it be lack of resources or lack of motivation, all communities could use a team of volunteers to help clean up trash, mentor the youth and assist families in hard times.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.tinlampfoundation.org
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/tinlamp_foundation
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/tinlampfoundation
Suggest a story: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
