Elphas was born in Kakamega County – Western Kenya where he attended his basic education before moving to Nairobi for his higher education. His early upbringing and experience made him understand the challenges the community is going through. His interest in the tourism industry saw him pursue professional training at Kenya Utalii College in Tour Guiding and Administration. Elphas has worked with major tour companies in different capacities and departments but mainly in customer care service. As a customer service expert, he has accompanied groups and families all over the country and outside Kenya on both holiday and humanitarian engagements. Such groups include Millennium Development Goals, Millennium Promise, World Vision and many others. His passion for service encouraged him to partner with friends to co-found Africa Untamed Wilderness Adventures and Akhonya Development Community Based Organization (A-CBO). His dream is to partner with friends to empower and impact the community.
Why I love Kilimanjaro
With Mr. Michael Schley in Amboseli National Park
Why I Love Mt. Kilimanjaro and its significance to Kongoni Community Library, Resource, Recreation, and Empowerment Centre: The tallest mountain on the African continent and the highest free-standing mountain in the world
It was from the slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro that I was connected with Jean and Tom Penny in May 2007 when they trusted me that I could facilitate the delivery of their school supplies to the Masai chief for a school in a Masai village in Amboseli. Jean aka Mama Safi and the AFK Team has been so supportive since the inception of this project.
It was from the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro where we sat over a cup of coffee with my dear friend, Mr. Michael Schley in 2019 and discussed at length how to strengthen Kongoni Network activities and increase the number of schools. It took a very short time before we received a batch of brand new laptops and projectors to be delivered to our schools. Some school principals almost refused to accept them as they could not believe that they could just receive such donations without making any effort. Indeed Mike has been so generous with supporting Kongoni Network schools with book club books and revision materials for schools as well as laptops, projectors and internet services, and many other educational resources. We are grateful.
It was from the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro that I first watched serious baseball being played by our youth – Kilimanjaro Stars. Coach Chapman Owino you are doing a great job. You have inspired me. My dream is to find partners who will help us strengthen this sport in Western Kenya and the Rift where we have supplied some basic equipment. I know we have baseball stars and it is only that we have not had the chance to give them enough exposure. Our accommodation project is going to enable us to bring players from the region to interact with our players and share skills. We are in the process of making world champions.
It was from the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro that I met some friends who were on my side even when the situation looked bleak, those frequent trips to the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro meant a lot to me and my family. Asante sana Rev. Dr, Fred Foy and Cecily Strang, Audrey and Chase Arndt, Staff of Hope (Rev. Jeff Spainhour), and many others.
