Since January 2019, Nai Nami has been RUN and OWNED by the Storytellers themselves!
Meet Our
Storytellers
Cheddaz
Comedian
Having raised himself in the streets since age of 9, music helped Cheddaz to survive. An artist himself, he aspires to open a studio for artists.
Kissmart
Networker
Kissmart loves to exchange ideas since his future plans include helping the less privileged as a role model and community organizer. He ended up in the streets at the age of 5.
Donga
Philosopher
Donga became a street child at the age of 8. He enjoys taking travelers through the streets of Nairobi as they remind him of where he comes from.
Mrembe
Captain
Mrembe, the captain, lived on the streets since the age of 7. He is a born leader and loves to inspire others.
Ndee
Rascal
Ndee is proud of showing his community that a person like him was able to change. He aspires to be a role model and help others to move away from crime.
Mwas
Bon Vivant
Mwas was born on the streets since his mom used to be homeless. Many different hustles helped him to survive. Nowadays, he is sharing his rough past with people from all over the world.
QwiQwi
Everybody's Darling
QwiQwi is always smiling and people like him for his charming attitude. Especially the kids who come for our tour immediately connect with him and don't want to leave anymore.
"Nobody could show us the real Nairobi better than these former street children. Their touching and inspirational stories made it a city tour we’ll never forget. Thank you Donga, Cheddaz and Kissmart and all the best!" - ESTER & DANIEL (GERMANY)
Change
Agents
Gianmarco
MARINELLO
CO-FOUNDER
During my professional career in the private sector, I was always looking for role models and mentors who could unlock my potential by making me aware of my skills. Never having found such a mentor, I started becoming this person myself, for younger colleagues, who were dealing with the same issue like me. I was not only successful by doing this, ironically I realised that this was my purpose. With Nai Nami, I want to apply this skill on a deeper level by unlocking the potential of youth who never had a chance in life.
ADVISORS
Manuel
Eppert
BUSINESS OWNER &
STARTUP ADVISOR
Manuel has +15 years of experience dealing with multinational companies across various industries. He implemented processes and IT solutions in Europe, Asia and US. Besides running successfully his own B2B sourcing company Manuel also consults early stage tech startups.
Timothy
Mwaura
CINEMATOGRAPHER
Timothy Mwaura is a cinematographer, director and the founder of FullFilmEnt Company in Nairobi, Kenya. Film has taken him across Africa to places he only dreamt of, schooling him on topics best understood in real time - while on set. This made him a master in creating documentaries in an artistic way whereby he is always following his true purpose: "Telling Human Stories Through Film."
Sriram
DAMODARAN
CO-FOUNDER
Since I was a kid, I had lots of friends from slums. I loved their energy, out of box thinking and street skills. When I came to Nairobi and met these guys in Mathare, I felt a connection and wanted to work with them. With Nai Nami, I want to use my experience to help these guys achieve their dreams.
Roshan
PAUL
CO-FOUNDER & CEO,
AMANI INSTITUTE
Roshan Paul is a former cricket journalist, whose transition to the social sector has been marked by his co-founding the Amani Institute. With many credentials in public policy and leadership, he is the author of Such a Lot of Work (2014) and Your Work Begins at No (2017).
Viviane
PARASCHIV
CO-FOUNDER TWIST SUPPER CLUB & MENTOR
With a background in business and fashion management, Viviane has worked for global luxury brands at the intersection of luxury, innovation and technology. She is also the co-founder of Twist Supper Club which aims to help people network in a meaningful way.
SUPPORTERS
Manuela
STOICESCU
MARKETING SPECIALIST &
ANTHROPOLOGIST
Manuela has +8 years of experience in translations and publishing and +5 years in marketing and social media for brands like Pepsi, Ferrero and League of Legends. She's a researcher in Linguistic Anthropology and a fellow of the Social Innovation program at the Amani Institute.
