About Us

Welcome to our team! We're a group of passionate individuals – staff and volunteers – dedicated to empowering vulnerable women and children to build a brighter future. Get to know the people who make our work possible.

Meet the Team

  • Jessica Starich

    CEO/ Founder

    Jessica first fell in love with Kenya on a visit in 2007. In 2010 she moved there and met the children who inspired her to start Too Little Children. She continues to travel to Kenya regularly and finds great joy in watching these children grow into amazing and unique individuals. Jessica lives in Durham, North Carolina with her husband Dave and daughter Poppy. She works part-time as a pediatric nurse and spends the rest of her time working for Too Little Children and raising her daughter.

  • Emma Stober

    Pad Project Director

    Emma is the driving force behind the Pad Project. She oversees a nationwide network of sewing volunteers and builds strategic partnerships with aid organizations to distribute to regions in need. Following years of international travel with her husband James, Emma now resides in Roanoke, Virginia, where she balances caring for their four children with her dedication to empowering girls and women through the Pad Project.

  • Caroline Kouns

    Operations Manager

    With a background in startup businesses, Caroline's strategic planning, organization, and expertise in systems management makes her an invaluable team member.

    Caroline is a UK native and currently lives in Indianapolis with her husband, Ken. After raising 5 daughters, Caroline continues to be passionate about women's equity and is committed to supporting women in pursuing their chosen careers.

  • Caroline Atieno

    House Mother

    We had the pleasure of adding Caroline and her 6 children to our family in 2017. She lives full-time at Jemo house and brings a calm presence and unwavering patience to the home and plays a significant role in teaching our children the life skills they need to thrive as they grow.

  • Jacklyne Odoyo

    House Mother

    Jacky is a cornerstone of Jemo House, serving as a dedicated house mother since its inception. Over many years, she's lovingly nurtured our children, witnessing their growth firsthand. Jacky lives full-time at Jemo House with her two sons, creating a warm and vibrant home for our children.

  • Rachel Oyosi

    Children’s Care Coordinator

    Rachel, a CPA, joined our team in 2022. With deep roots in serving Kenyan children through her family's long-standing work, she brings invaluable expertise and insight. Rachel resides in Kisumu, Kenya, with her son, Travis.

Our Values

Family

A child who lacks love suffers just as much as the child who lacks food. We appreciate that families take many forms, and strive to provide the supportive, guiding, and encouraging familial environment children need to thrive.

Faith

We believe faith compels us to care for those in need and serve the least of these. We recognize the inherent value and beauty in every individual, and aim to create a world where everyone can thrive.

Empowerment

Our goal is to empower the women and children we serve with the tools, resources, and confidence they need to achieve their dreams. Education is a cornerstone of this value.