Meet the Rising Daisies Team
Kenyan Team
Our team in Kenya is responsible for executing and directly managing the student sponsorship and mentorship programs. The team is made up of local individuals who are dedicated to giving back to their communities.
Sarah Gikere: Program Coordinator and Lead Mentor
What's your hometown?
Nakuru, Kenya
What do you do for a living?
I am manager for an animal byproducts company, Kenya Bile Acids.
Who is your role model and why?
Dr. Edward Sambili. He sacrifices everything for everyone. His passion for Christ is to be admired. He is such a good friend to me and always shares his wise opinion on anything I share with him.
Why did you choose to become a mentor?
I became a mentor because when I was in high school and on campus, I wish I had someone who would be honest with me, but would also want the best for me.
Why do you think education is important?
Education is important because it gives everyone a chance to be better. You can be a better human being because you are enlightened.
American Team
Our team in America gives their time, talent and treasure to enable student sponsorship and mentorship in Kenya. Rising Daisies is fortunate to have a passionate and dedicated board of directors who ensure the organization is always mission focused.
Ryan Morrison: Chair
What's your hometown?
Atkins, Iowa
What do you do for a living?
Photographer and Cinematographer
Who is your role model and why?
I have had many amazing role models in my life. I was inspired most by my grandmother growing up. Now I am inspired daily by my family, friends, wife, and young son.
Why did you choose to serve on the board?
I was 20 years old the first time I went to Kenya and fell in love with the culture, the landscapes, and most importantly, the people. Since then, I have always had a special place in my heart for the country and I have wanted to find an outlet to use my skills to help the wonderful people of Kenya. Education is important to me and I believe Rising Daisies is an organization that empowers and educates youth, driven by the local community, in order for the youth to have the opportunity to grow up and be a productive citizens. I love teaching as well as learning and look forward to seeing how this organization can make lives better for the students involved.
Why do you think education is important?
Education is the key to unlocking minds and opportunities for people. It can also help us become better and more productive citizens of the world. Every community around the globe can be empowered by education and I believe it can change the world for the better. I also love that you can’t take education away from someone. Once it is there, a person can share it, pass it along, and help others with it.
Diane Evans: Treasurer
What's your hometown?
I have lived in several towns in my life, my current home town is Norwalk, Iowa.
What do you do for a living?
I work for Foster Group which is a Wealth Management Firm in West Des Moines.
Who is your role model and why?
My mother, Loise Wood, is who I admire most. She is a strong Christian woman who has always been there to help guide me through life.
Why did you choose to serve on the board? Why do you think education is important?
I am involved with Rising Daisies because I have seen the passion Moses has for his home country, Kenya, and providing education to help rise up the next generation. Moses also has an important place in my life, he is my son-in-law. Nyla and Moses have been married for three years. I have gone to Kenya with them and have seen firsthand the importance of education to help young people build a better future for themselves.
Kelly Visser: Secretary
What's your hometown?
West Des Moines, Iowa
What do you do for a living?
I own part-time freelance writing and public relations company, KMV & Co. I enjoy working with clients in food, agriculture, energy and boutique retail sectors.
Who is your role model and why?
My role model is my sister, Janelle. She is a fifth grade teacher and I admire the passion and commitment she has for her students. It’s truly inspiring how she selflessly dedicates so much of her heart and energy to ensuring her students grow as learners and, most importantly, as good people.
Why did you choose to serve on the board?
I was fortunate to serve in leadership positions with Hopeful Africa during my time at Iowa State University. As part of my experience with the organization, I visited Kenya and the partner schools in 2014. It was incredible to meet students, learn the value of our partnerships and experience the beauty of life in Kenya.
The experience in Kenya has stuck with me and has inspired me to be involved with the evolution of the organization. I truly value and respect the work of Rising Daisies and am thrilled to lend my time and talents to continue empowering students in Kenya.
Why do you think education is important?
Education is a powerful foundation that develops good citizens, inspires curiosity and opens doors for continued achievement.
Moses Bomett: Member
What's your hometown?
Nakuru, Kenya and Norwalk, Iowa
What do you do for a living?
I work for a company that deals with animal byproducts for pharmaceutical applications, Roth Products of Texas. I am a General Manager assisting with operations in the U.S. and managing operations in five African countries.
Who is your role model and why?
This is a very difficult question for me. The reason is because I am blessed with many people in my life who are role models to me. I have been blessed to know many people and I find qualities in them that are extraordinary and learn from them in that regard. Therefore, whether it is my wife, boss, board member or a friend, I always find that I am learning and growing.
Why did you choose to serve on the board?
I choose to serve because it is the least I can do. Growing up in Kenya for 12 years, I learned many things that shaped who I am as an adult. My experiences molded me and gave me the proper foundation to be productive citizen. Serving on this board is the least I can do to give back to a place that I am forever indebted.
Why do you think education is important?
Education is power. Education has no other substitution. People who lack it are left behind and are continually oppressed all over the world. I believe that by gaining knowledge or a new skill individuals can live a productive life. Education provides the avenue to attain this.
Drew Zaun: Member
What's your hometown?
Urbandale, Iowa
What do you do for a living?
I work for a medical device company called Stryker that primarily focuses on patients’ outcomes.
Who is your role model and why?
My role model would have to be my late grandfather. He started his life in a very difficult situation, but with his work ethic, dedication and a willingness to succeed, he became one of the best engineers at John Deere.
Why did you choose to serve on the board?
I choose to serve because Kenya has a special place in my heart. I spent almost three months in the area and got to meet many amazing people. Once I realized how important education is within the community, I was all in.
Why do you think education is important?
To me, education is one of the greatest gifts anyone can receive. Education not only empowers, but it also develops in us a perspective of looking at life. Without education, our social, personal, and economic world would be stagnant.
Nyla Bomett: Member
What's your home town?
Story City, Iowa
What do you do for a living?
Dental Hygienist
Who is your role model and why?
I have a lot of role models. I’m not so sure I can narrow it down to one. It probably changes daily or weekly at least. I’ve come to realize a lot of my dental patients, my friends and my family are my role models. No matter someone’s background, we are all able to learn something from one another.
Why did you choose to serve on the board?
I serve to be able to a make a difference in the lives of others. I believe that education makes the world a better place. What better way to help make a change then by educating those that want to learn?
Why do you think education is important?
When I think of where I would be without my education, I wouldn’t be able to have a job I love so much. Without this job I wouldn’t be able to travel. Through travel I have been lucky enough to go places and meet people that have changed my life. Being immersed in others cultures, listening to the natives’ stories and getting to know them personally is a great passion of mine. This also ties into why I serve Rising Daisies. Having the experience of going to Olilgei in 2016 and seeing what these students overcome each and every day to make sure they have an education is inspiring and extremely humbling.
Tarin Obbink: Member
What's your hometown?
All over! I moved a lot as a child.
What do you do for a living?
I work for a ministry called Immigrant Connection that helps immigrants in Des Moines and the surrounding communities with immigration legal services. I also work as the Mission Director at Table Church.
Who is your role model and why?
So many people who have influenced my life over the years. From leaders, colleagues, friends, and family I have learned so much from the people in my life. Each person has a unique story. I love hearing their stories and learning from them.
Why did you choose to serve on the board?
I've always had a zeal for learning from and experiencing cultures different from my own. Serving on the board is one way I can do just that while also making an impact in someone else's life.
Why do you think education is important?
Where would we be without education? Especially for young girls, education is an important tool for building a secure, successful future for themselves and their families.
