Francis Mugeni Omala
Founder & CEO
Founded Wake Vocational Center in 2003 to focus on education and sports skills development for children and youth.
About us
Wake Vocational Center is a non-governmental organisation (NGO) in Kenya focused on children and youth. We believe every child deserves the chance to learn, to develop their talents and to be ready for a digital future.
Our story
Wake Vocational Center was founded in February 2003 by people who grew up seeing both sides of opportunity — what a single mentor, a school fee paid on time, or a coach who believes in you can change.
Our work is built around core pillars for sustainable development — education, sports talent, digital and AI learning, and the environment — chosen with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in mind.
Vision
A community where every child and young person can learn, develop their talent and step confidently into the future.
Mission
To support children and youth through education, sports talent development and digital and AI learning — delivered honestly, safely and in partnership with the community.
A note from our Founder & CEO
Hello, I'm Francis Mugeni Omala, founder and CEO of Wake Vocational Center.
Wake Vocational Center was founded in February 2003. The idea had long been on my mind — I used to see children suffer for lack of basic needs. I analysed the challenges and concluded that I had to do something. It is for this reason that I decided to focus on education and sports skills development. I was inspired by the American educationist Horace Mann, who said: "Education is the great equalizer."
I reached out to like-minded people and, together, we established Wake Vocational Center. For more than two decades we have worked with communities, donors, partners and governments to create opportunities for better futures for vulnerable children.
Our grass-roots approach to change allows us to know the people, the problems and the potential of each community we serve. Our team lives within the community and learns the hopes and challenges each community faces.
Wake Vocational Center serves all people, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender. Inspired by our Christian faith, we help children of all backgrounds — we accept children of all faiths into our programmes, and we don't try to make them Christian. We aim to make all aspects of our work transparent and trustworthy.
Our promise to Kenya's most vulnerable children is to strive for a world free of the worst forms of poverty by 2030, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations.
You have a decision to make — will you be one of the people who stand with children whose voices go unheard? I hope so, because I am excited about the many opportunities ahead.
That is our Wake Vocational Center vision. May it be yours too.
Francis Mugeni OmalaFounder & CEO, Wake Vocational Center
Where we work
Our programmes are rooted in Kenya, with reach and partnerships across East and Central Africa.
- Kenya
- Uganda
- Tanzania
- Rwanda
- Burundi
- South Sudan
- Somalia
- Ethiopia
Digital & AI, adapted for rural youth
We integrate digital and AI learning into our work in a way that fits rural children and youth — supervised sessions, age-appropriate content, and no personal data entered into AI tools. The aim is adaptability: young people who can use today's digital tools confidently, wherever they grow up.
What we stand for
Honesty
We say what we offer and how it works. Our reports and this website tell the truth about our work.
Safety first
Every activity involving children follows our Child Safeguarding Policy — consent, supervision and clear reporting.
Community ownership
We build with parents, schools and local partners, not around them.
Every talent counts
Academic, athletic, creative or technical — a child's gift deserves a path.
Our team
The people leading Wake Vocational Center.
Everyone who works with Wake Vocational Center — staff, volunteers and partners — agrees to our Child Safeguarding Policy before any activity with children. Read our Child Safeguarding Policy.
Want to be part of this team?
We are recruiting volunteers and partners now.