ABOUT THE DIRECTORS

The Rev. Dr. MacMillan Kiiru, Ph.D.

MacMillan Kiiru is the co-founder and on-site director of The Shepherd's Home. "Mac" and his wife, Nelly, founded the orphanage in early 2003 and are working constantly to make the Shepherd's Home into what its name implies: a home for the children of God, where their basic needs are provided for. Mac runs the daily business operations of the Shepherd's Home while using his fundraising skills to acquire the resources the children of the Home need to live healthy and productive lives.

MacMillan Kamande Kiiru was born in Kiambu Central Kenya on September 25, 1946. He was the first of eight children of Leah Waithera and Kiiru Kanea. While taking his high school final examination, MacMillan was suddenly inspired to give his life to Christ, making a committment to live for God and serve him always. He was the first member of his family to commit his life to Christ. Thereafter, six of his brothers and sisters along with several other relatives became Christians.

MacMillan attended Kenyatta College where he received his first degree in Science. There he met Nelly Wanjiru and, three years later, they were married.

After college, MacMillan was hired by Ciba Geigy (a Swiss chemical firm) to head their Dyeing and Printing of Textiles laboratory, which served central and east African textile firms. During this time, he ministered among students through Kenya Students Christian Fellowship and provided leadership for mission and evangelism among the unreached peoples of Kenya.

In September, 1976, MacMillan joined World Vision as the first African executive. Two years later, he became the first African director to head World Vision's work in Kenya. As a result of MacMillan's leadership, World Vision Kenya became the model for World Vision in Africa. During this time, MacMillan also did graduate work at Daystar University. He received his MA in Communication and Christian Ministries in 1984.

In 1988, because of his desire to raise funds for the work of World Vision in Africa, MacMillan earned a second advanced degree, a Masters in Commerce and Marketing from the University of Strathclyde, in Glasgow. His research project, which earned him the Chief M.K.O. Abiloa award as the best student from Africa, focused on "what motivates the British to give their resources to charitable organizations and how these organizations use such motivations to formulate their marketing and fundraising strategies."

Following his ministry with World Vision, MacMillan established his own consultancy firm, Lenmac Consultancy Services. Lenmac helped many churches and Christian organizations raise funds for their ministries in Africa.

In June, 2003, MacMillan earned his Ph.D. in Theology and Communication from Fuller Theological Seminary. The Reverand has published several articles on fundraising and self-reliance. He has also conducted many seminars and workshops on marketing and fundraising.

In addition to his directorship of The Shepherd's Home, MacMillan Kiiru is serving part-time as Director of the Africa Center for Missions. This fall, he will also teach at Daystar University in Nairobi, as well as assist in resource development for the institution.

Nelly Kiiru, MA

Nelly Kiiru is the co-founder and on-site manager of The Shepherd's Home. She manages the day-to-day affairs of the orphanage, acting as a mother-figure and role-model to the many children that reside there. Nelly is involved in all aspects of the children's lives, from academic to social. She teaches at every age level as well as trains the older girls to be caregivers like herself. Her job is to prepare the children to become responsible citizens and leaders in Kenya. Nelly's complete involvement with the children is one of the qualities that makes The Shepherd's Home so special.

Nelly Kiiru earned her Masters degree in Intercultural Studies from Fuller Theological Seminary in 2002. She has a teaching diploma from Kenyatta Teacher Training College as well as a certificate in preaching and Christian ethics from the Bible Training Institute. She has over ten years experience teaching at the elementary and high school levels. (She also has over twenty years experience as a radio producer and presenter.)

In addition to managing The Shepherd's Home, Nelly is involved in discipleship and evangelism ministries with children at the Dayspring Junior School in Nairobi.

Nelly and Mac have five sons, a daughter, and one granddaughter.

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At present rate of infection,
AIDS will orphan 20 million
African children by 2010