Monthly Illuminator Series
Welcome to our monthly Illuminator Series. In this monthly series, we will offer live Zoom & recorded events of light and wisdom and discussion space with leading illuminators of our times.
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Our 17th Illuminator - Dr. Karambu Ringera
Founder and President of International Peace Initiatives
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Dr Karambu Ringera is the founder and president of International Peace Initiatives (IPI: www.ipea-cei.org), an organization that works to mitigate the impact of HIV/AIDS, poverty and violence in the lives of women and children. She has used her extensive academic background and international experience working in many countries to design and implement models of regeneration that inspire wellbeing and flourishing for people, place and planet. Dr. Karambu is a visionary, a pro-activist, a compassionate, committed, formidable force for change, and an inspiration to all who meet her.
Born and raised in Meru, Kenya, Dr. Karambu earned her Ph.D. in intercultural communication in 2007 from the University of Denver. She earned a Masters Degree in Media from Natal University, South Africa in 1999, as well as a Master of Theological Studies (with a peace and justice empha sis) from the Iliff School of Theology in Colorado in 2003. She received her Bachelor of Education degree (1980) and Postgraduate Diploma in Mass Communication from the University of Nairobi (1997), Kenya. Dr. Karambu is also an Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, USA. Dr. Karambu is a 2023 Inspired Leadership Initiative Fellow, Notre Dame University; the 2022 Global Women Peace Ambassador Award recipient; the 2021 ACA Peace Ambassador Award recipient; the 2019 Global Impact Award recipient; the 2019 Mark Wilhelm Award for Courage of Convictions; a 2016 Cordes Social Entrepreneurs Fellow; a 2015/16 Next Generation Leader Fellow of the McCain Institute for International Leadership, USA; the 2015 Life Achievement Award and 2015 Master Scholar Award winner, University of Denver, USA; and the 2012 African Achievers Award, UK – for her cutting edge work in innovative and sustainable models of development & peacebuilding, women’s human rights , children’s rights and global leadership programs around the world. Dr Karambu is the founder and president of the Tiriji Foundation (TF); International Peace Initiatives (IPI); and the founder: the Amani Children’s Homes (ACHs), the New Generation Leaders (NGL) program; and Tiriji Eco Centre; and co-founder, the Practical Permaculture Institute, Mount Kenya Region. She has used her extensive academic background and international experience working in many countries to design and implement models of effective community engagement, women’s & youth’s grassroots organizing programs, collaborative problem solving models, preemptive and post con flict reconciliation, and proactive health campaigns. She has built a successful, working model of “Amani Homes,” community homes of peace for orphans and vulnerable children in Meru, Kenya. In addition, she has created a vocational skills school that teaches so-called ‘school drop outs’ how to use their skills to create successful businesses. 80% of students graduating from this program set up their own businesses! Near the Kithoka Amani Children’s Home (KACH), she has also built Tiriji (“the place of abun dance”), Eco Centre, a regenculture (building a culture of regeneration - beyond sustainability and empowerment) center that trains people how to develop and sustain successful regenculture projects. Tiriji has become a training center for regenerative practices in self-sufficiency through skills development, food production using permaculture and integrated land use design, peace and leadership programs - where people discover that the power of transformation is never without, but within each one - literally and metaphorically. Dr Karambu is a visionary, an activist, a compas sionate, committed, formidable force for regeneration, and an inspiration to all who meet her. “I like to think of myself as a ‘regenculture’ space holder; a peace, healing and reconciliation ac tivist, involved in promoting community based organizing that empowers grassroots people, espe cially women, youth and children challenged by disease, violence, and poverty to reclaim their power. Poverty is not just about lack of money, or absence of violence and disease, rather the great est suffering in these areas results from a particular heart and mindset - lack of access to informa tion, a lack of knowledge and support to successfully utilize and develop available resources to cre ate a better life. I do not HELP people. I WORK WITH people because I know they have what it takes to transform their lives. I merely hold a space for them to ‘discover’ and step into their power. My desire is to stand with communities as they learn to listen deeply to the inner knowing of their hearts, identify their needs, craft their own solutions and inspire actions to meet those needs. My role is to support and trust their judgment and promote the implementation of their self-identified solutions through regenerative innovating. The work of the Tiriji Foundation and International Peace Initiatives is a path that illuminates hope for all of us.” |
"She has used her extensive academic background and international experience working in many countries to design and implement models of effective community engagement, women’s & youth’s grassroots organizing programs, collaborative problem solving models, preemptive and post conflict reconciliation, and proactive health campaigns." 
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Projects and Links
Dr. Karambu's Projects and Links. A shining example of the power of what one person can do!
Tiriji Eco CenterAn eco-project geared towards reviving a community’s traditional ways of food production began in 2014. This enhances sustainable agriculture through the care of our land, conservation of our environment, and the empowerment of the local people to rebuild the broken relationships. This sustainable food system helps create resilient communities. Organic farming, solar energy and drip irrigation are among the environmental preserving techniques used and taught to others. The lush food forest here feeds the kids living at The Kithoka Amani Community Home.
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International Peace IntitiavesIPI provides peace and conflict resolution training to mediators, NGO staffs, students and educators, ethnic tribal leaders, community-based peacemakers, and the media.
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Amani HomeThe mission of the Amani Home is to keep orphaned and vulnerable children in the community where they grew up, which preserves a child’s network of support. Children can continue to attend their local school and maintain close relationships with extended families while housing, food, education funding and training are provided by the Amani Home family.
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Videos
Dr. Karambu Ringera's Ted Talk from 2010. A promise to a woman with AIDS continues to drive Karambu Ringera to improve outcomes for women and children affected by AIDS in Africa. Karambu declares, memorably, Education is the one vaccine that we need to free women from all the things that bind them.
International Peace Initiatives - Inspiring Action for Peace
Kathoka Amani Childrens Home, Queen Hilda's Story
Kathoka Amani Childrens Home, Queen Hilda's Story
International Peace Initiatives (IPI) is a Kenya and U.S. based organization that is dedicated to supporting and funding initiatives that mitigate the effects of poverty, disease, discrimination and violence. IPI provides Homes for orphans and vulnerable children, supports African grassroots organizations and community leaders, and provides trainings in peace education and conflict resolution. The IPI tools are education, enterprise and empowerment. There are currently over 200 children on our waiting list for Kathoka Amani Children's Home. Here is the story of one little girl who lives there.