The Walking with Africans Foundation was founded in 2007, though it would take us another two years to mobilize our team, join forces with our partner organization, EPID-Kenya, and begin raising funds for a pilot program launch. WAF grew out of a longstanding relationship between Burke Presbyterian Church in Virginia and Kibwezi Bethel Church when a member of the former, James Munthali, served as a Global Intern in support of the Kibwezi Mission beginning in 2004.

Inspired by the many successful endeavors of this partnership – including preschool and primary education, orphan care and a vocational training center – James found he could leverage his own background as a career economist to tackle other development problems he observed in rural villages. Immersed in Kibwezi communities, he listened to Kenyans speak of their aspirations and drive to implement viable solutions that were organic to their own people and culture. These discussions led to the concept of WAF and its guiding principle of cultivating self-sustaining and gainful employment for a willing and capable rural workforce. We look forward to expanding our organization to reach other vulnerable communities across Africa.