Kenyan Nurse in US Works Extra Shifts to Fund Lifeline for Needy Families Back Home

• Amos Orwa grew up in a family of nine where none had the opportunity to go beyond high school.
• Determined to break the cycle, he trusted in God, pursued an education, and became a nurse in the US.
• Now in a better place, Amos has made it his mission to help the needy, students, and individuals living with special needs by working extra shifts.

New York – For Amos Orwa, a 43-year-old Kenyan-born nurse living in the United States, success is not measured by the wealth he accumulates, but by the number of lives he touches.

Originally from Eastlands, Nairobi, Amos grew up in a family of nine where none had the opportunity to go beyond high school.

Why Amos Orwa helps needy Kenyans

He told TUKO.co.ke that since he was determined to break the cycle, he trusted in God and pursued an education.

The investment paid off as he eventually became a nurse, despite grappling with overwhelming financial hurdles.

"I struggled with fees but made it through," Amos recalls. "I worked in a few hospitals in Kenya before relocating to the US in 2019."

Now living and working in the United States for the past six years, Amos has made it his mission to give back to society, especially to the needy, students, and individuals living with special needs such as cerebral palsy.

How much does Amos Orwa donate?

Though he began his charitable efforts quietly, he went public with his outreach last year to amplify his impact.

Amos uses his own money to fund these acts of kindness—contributions that often range between KSh 500 to KSh 10,000, with most falling within the modest bracket of KSh 500 to KSh 1,000.

“It’s the small things that matter,” he says. “I simply work extra shifts and set aside that money to help others, while my regular pay goes to meet my family’s needs.”

Asked what drives him, Amos speaks from experience, adding that he knows what it means to lack.

Most touching story for Amos

He reiterated that humans are blessed to be a blessing to others, not just to pile up wealth for themselves.

Recognising that not every plea for help is genuine, Amos has enlisted a trusted contact in Kenya to vet and follow up on cases.

Sometimes, his team calls for nominations from the public to identify individuals in need.

"One of the most touching stories they came across was of a woman facing eviction while caring for a bedbound husband who had been involved in an accident," he recalled, adding that his team paid her rent and bought essential groceries.

Though his contributions may seem small in monetary terms, the impact is life-changing, a powerful reminder that compassion, not currency, is the true measure of giving.

Kayai donates salary to needy Kenyans

Geoff Kariuki Kayai is another Kenyan medic based abroad who often donates part of his salary to needy Kenyans.

In one of the recent initiatives, he gave out KSh 300,000 to students and small-scale entrepreneurs as part of his mission to uplift his countrymen.

KSh 200,000 was allocated to students through scholarships, while KSh 100,000 went towards small business owners.

Source: TUKO.co.ke