Board of Directors:
- Susanne Garrison
- Ginny Cooper
- Debi Holland
- Karin Vincent
- Karen Pelletier
Key Personnel:
Susanne Garrison 
Susanne began volunteering in Namibia for the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) in 1997. While fundraising for CCF in the United States she was introduced to the Wildlife Safari located in Roseburg, Oregon, which is working to heighten wildlife awareness and has a cheetah breeding program. Susanne and Wildlife Safari teamed up to bring a live cheetah to dozens of schools throughout western Washington and teach thousands of students about endangered animals. She joined the CCF Kenya project in 2001, as a volunteer organizing a new compound for education and a base for game counts. The following year Susanne met Daniel Muchina. She heard that Daniel was looking for sponsorship for 30 primary school children to help pay for tuition and uniforms. Susanne agreed to personally sponsor the children for $70 each. It quickly became apparent that more guidance and aid was needed to keep each student in school. The need for books, school supplies and transportation had to be addressed individually. As 30 students turned into 40 children age 2 to 22 Susanne began bringing sponsors on board to help with individual students as well as accepting donations of clothing, school supplies and bicycles. Although Susanne was spending months at a time every year working with the project she found she was missed during her absences and more help was needed to address the children’s circumstances that change daily. A little over a year ago Susanne was excited to find Susan Nyambura to work on the project year round and Hassan Njenga.
In 2008 the effort has officially been named Wana Duma Children’s Project. Wana Duma means “Cheetah Children” in Swahili. In June 2008 Wana Duma was granted Washington State non-profit status. We have a Board of five members and the list of sponsors, donors, and volunteers has grown daily. The 501 (C)(3) was granted August, 2009. We have continued to grow leaps and bounds – we currently have 57 children in the program and 8 graduates.
Daniel Muchina
Daniel Muchina is a resident of Gilgil, Kenya. He spent a career in education and after retirement found a need to mentor local children that were struggling in school due to the loss of one or both parents. Many students were still living with an elderly relative that were not able to supply the uniforms, books and tuition that are required but not provided by the education system in Kenya. Daniel began looking for sponsors and in 2002 and met Susanne. Fortunately he continues to work as mentor and guidance counselor to the children in Wana Duma. He has been key to finding the appropriate schools, working with the Headmasters, checking on the progress of each child and ironing out problems as they crop up. Mr. Muchina is married and has four children.
Daniel Muchina is a resident of Gilgil, Kenya. He spent a career in education and after retirement found a need to mentor local children that were struggling in school due to the loss of one or both parents. Many students were still living with an elderly relative that were not able to supply the uniforms, books and tuition that are required but not provided by the education system in Kenya. Daniel began looking for sponsors and in 2002 and met Susanne. Fortunately he continues to work as mentor and guidance counselor to the children in Wana Duma. He has been key to finding the appropriate schools, working with the Headmasters, checking on the progress of each child and ironing out problems as they crop up. Mr. Muchina is married and has four children.
Susan Nyambura was born and raised in Kenya, she speaks seven languages – English, Swahili and five tribal dialects. She has been with the program since 2008. Susan is an important link to the children and their relatives. She checks on the kids weekly to address individual needs as they come up. Susan was orphaned at 19 and left to raise three younger sisters. She lost her youngest sister to AIDS and is now raising her 11-year-old niece along with her own daughters age 16 and 18. She is no stranger to the devastation AIDS has brought to families in Kenya so she brings understanding and compassion to the children. Wana Duma is fortunate to have someone with Susan’s language skills.
Friends of Wana Duma
Mary Wykstra – Formerly of the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) Mary earned a Bachelor of Science in Zoology from Michigan State University. Working as a Zoo Keeper she participated in classroom and zoo educational programs. After that she worked as Exhibit Curator at the Utah’s Hoggle Zoo where she designed animal enclosures and supervised construction and renovations. This work led to her involvement with the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) as a fundraiser in the USA and as a researcher in Namibia. She was appointed the CCF Representative in Kenya and launched a study of farmland issues affecting cheetahs in Kenya. Her project in Kenya continues in research, community development and education. CCF also works with children in Kenya through the sponsorship of individual students as well as community and school programs. Mary and the CCF Kenya team participate providing informational materials and administration support to WDCP. She is now the founder of Action for Cheetahs based in Nairobi, Kenya.