Tomáš Rusňák Omondi

The Director

Mr. Rusňák began his African story in the year 2010 as he joined the sudanese humanitarian mission with the Salesians of Don Bosco, where he has been volunteering with the youth of the local community. At first he assumed it would be a one-time experience. However, just as many noble-minded adventurers, he fell in love with Africa and found his path in following Christ's message

Mr. Rusňák set out on his second African mission in 2013, already operating under the baton of the University of St. Elizabeth. That time he went to Rwanda to volunteer in the Blessed Clémentine-Anuarita Healthcare centre in Bigugu, where he served one year. In 2014, the University's allocation mannagement sent him to manage a malnutrition project in the town of Muhoroni, where Mr. Omondi lived up to his task for another twelve months.

The next one-year challenge waited for our Director in the city of Naivasha (in 2015), where he guided the St. Therese Development Center, a rehab for sexually or physically abused children. While leading this project he was commisioned to oversee the submission of the Malindi supportive program (almost 700km apart), where he later also worked in the period 2016-2017.

While serving in Muhoroni, Omondi used to visit nearby Kisumu in his spare time. At this place he came into the contact with local street boys. Since then he used to visit them on their spots, assisting them with food, clothes and other basic needs, including a genuine attention. Our current Director continued to visit Kisumu children irregularly for two years, although he had many other duties and responsibilities throughout Kenya (see above).

In 2016, while on one of his aid rounds he met Mr. Vincent Ochieng, a social worker who carried out similar humanitarian activities within the city centre. After a short interplay period and observing each other's approach, skills and experience they decided to elaborate a joint, humanitarian project aimed at a comprehensive, effective and long-term upbringing of chokora wa Kisumu (streetboys of Kisumu).

After the presentation of the new project and its subsequent approval by the University project department, Mr. Ochieng was ready to apply for permits to the relevant local authorities and to find out how to implement the intended methodics and targets of the mission within the legal conditions and in accordance with the allocated budget.

As Mr.Vincent Ochieng dealt with the bureaucracy, Tomáš successfully delegated the project in Naivasha to his successor. The following year he commuted between the shores of Lake Victoria and the Indian Ocean. Until 2017, he directed the Malindi mission in parallel. After the end of his term he was able to devote himself fully to Neri Rehab with his manager.

Vincent Ochieng

The Manager

Mr. Ochieng has a lot of understanding and empathy toward the sad fates of the abandoned ones. Immediately after completing the studies of biochemistry he decided to dedicate his life endeavour to the community, as he has been blessed with the chance to choose the way of his life as one of the few. Thus he discovered his life mission- to reach the suffering street children and their families, to help them walk towards the better future.

Vincent was born in 1991 in the town of Kisumu on the shores of Lake Victoria. From the time he first opened his eyes it must have been clear to him that the life he was born into would not be a bed of roses. His mother was not the only mother of his father 's children, so he had to share an already modest diet with many siblings from early childhood. after the early death of the breadwinner, the family remained in a desperate situation. As a result, little Vincent found himself on the street, left to fend for himself. He had to procure food and other necessities at his own.

He spent his childhood and adolescence in various orphanages, dependent on the favor of benefactors. Due to local conditions, he often ended up on the streets again. The older he got, the more often he found himself there again. Despite everything, he managed to graduate from high school.

He never lost faith and inner strength, along with innate versatile brightness and dexterity, he managed to turn his direction. After being baptized around the age of twenty, he managed to get a sponsor for the university studies. He got to study biochemistry at the University of Karatin, which he completed with a bachelor's degree. At that time, he was already a town's well-known figure. Thanks to an unusually varied life he used to get into contact with people of all kinds and backgrounds. As mentioned, he decided to devote his both social and naturalistic intellect to altruism.

Shortly after he started working in various social projects, he met Tomáš Rusňák. Tomáš, with extensive experience in the operation of various humanitarian organizations, began to create an excellent tandem with Vincent, an expert on all aspects of the life, needs and habits of street boys. After a certain period of cooperation, they decided to set up their own project, which would provide children not only with short-term rescue, but also with perspective for the future.

Thanks to his life story about a lotus flower that bloomed from the mud, he knows how to understand, guide and help today's street children to the same reversal of the unfair adversity. That is why he is known throughout the city as "odijo vincent" (Vincent the Teacher).

Timotej Mikluščák Onyango

Logist

Timotej Mikluščák ‘Onyango’ first came to Kenya in 2018 for a period of seven months. He was originally assigned to a VŠZaSP project in Malindi, but after a few months he was transferred to Kisumu, where he strengthened the team of our SPNR centre at a time when it was necessary to quickly stabilize its operations.

He began his work as a logistician, with primary responsibility for ensuring the day-to-day functioning of the centre – from supplies and organization of the daily schedule to meeting the basic needs of the children. Over time, however, his role naturally expanded. He began working closely with social workers, participating in home visits within local communities and actively contributing to addressing the individual life situations of the children, which often required not only organizational skills but also patience, understanding, and the ability to find solutions in challenging conditions.

In addition, he became involved in the educational activities of the centre, co-leading morning classes together with the social workers. Daily contact with the children and the opportunity to witness their progress and personal growth became one of his strongest motivations to continue this work.

Over time, he developed a deep connection to the city of Kisumu, its people, and especially to the street-connected children. Even after returning to Europe, this place remained an important part of his life. Despite his studies and later the limitations caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, he repeatedly sought ways to return. In 2021, he was able to come back to Kisumu, where during a three-month stay he was entrusted with creating the SPNR centre’s website. He continues to manage it to this day, helping to connect the centre with supporters in Europe.

Since 2018, he has spent a total of more than two years in Kisumu working directly with the children. During this time, he became fluent in Swahili and is gradually learning the local language, Dholuo, which allows him to better understand the environment and the people he works with. This also enables him to communicate effectively, help resolve conflicts, and build trust between the children, the community, and the centre’s team.

Unlike the centre’s director, he is not based in Kisumu permanently. In Europe, he works on an organic seed farm in Austria, while remaining actively involved in the SPNR project. He regularly presents the work of the centre at public events, schools, and in the media, contributes to organizing fundraising activities, and ensures the ongoing management of the centre’s website.

In his own words, each time he leaves Kisumu, he does so with the hope that he will return again to continue the work that gives his life meaning.

Moses Ochieng Omeno

Secretary, Teacher, Social Worker

Moses Ochieng has been a honorable citizen of Kisumu since birth in 1989. His knowledge, opinions / advices and skills regarding the city and its people, a multifaceted commitment, all this (and much more) makes him indeed a priceless base for Neri Rehab team.

Mr. Ochieng is part of our daily routine every second and fourth week of the month (alternatively by appointment), then Odijo lectures on our morning tutoring lessons. These last until lunch, after he plays a tandem with Mrs. Amondi. Together they take care of general order, boys' behavior, daily schedule, and more. For the remaining two weeks, he and Watchman Kevin guard a quiet, undisturbed night.

At the beginning of the admission to the Center, it is Ochieng's task to observe the first moments of the newcomer in SPNR, then to share his impressions with other competent employees. In the case of a positive assessment, admission may continue with a detailed dialogue (in the child 's mother tongue) about the life story, family background, history of abuse, etc. Moses is then a guide to rehabilitation and family visits, and in later stages also to the child's progress.

As secretary, Odijo Moses is responsible for communicating and handling minor official matters with the authorities, for processing the course and conclusions of staff meetings, as well as for weekly meetings with boys and day staff. He is also entrusted with the care and organization of records about our children.

David Okoth Orwa

Teacher, Social Worker

David Okoth Orwa is a key member of our daily staff, responsible for supporting the education, structure, and overall daily functioning of the centre. He completed his secondary education at St. Vitalis Nanga Secondary School between 2014 and 2017.

David grew up within the same local community he now serves, which gives him a deep understanding of the children’s background, challenges, and environment. Having personally experienced the realities of life in this context, he is exceptionally well-equipped to respond to the needs of the boys with empathy, discipline, and practical solutions.

David represents a highly effective and naturally qualified educator for this environment. His strength lies in lived experience, cultural understanding, and strong personal connection to the community. He is a true mwenyeji – a local in the deepest sense of the word.

In his daily work, David is responsible for overseeing the daily schedule, supervising educational and leisure activities, and maintaining order and discipline within the centre. He also supports morning teaching sessions, helping children develop basic skills in literacy, numeracy, English, and Swahili.

Together with his colleagues, he plays an important role in guiding the children through their rehabilitation process, ensuring consistency, structure, and a stable environment.

During children’s free time, David is actively involved in their activities, including sports and group games, where he builds trust and strengthens positive relationships with them.