ARTISTS
Michael Njenga Wanjiku
Percussionist
Mike is the band leader. He was born in Kangemi, a slum located on the outskirts of Nairobi. After completing his secondary education in Dagoretti High School he joined Juakali Drummers, a music band that used to perform in local events. After 5 years playing together, the group split and some members created a new one called ‘’Slum Drummers’’. As part of this band, Michael gained international experience playing for Queen Elizabeth at the Diamond Jubilee Anniversary in Birmingham Palace in 2012 as well as live shows in Bahía (Brazil), Umbria (Italy) and Addis Ababa (Ethiopia). In 2011 he lost his sight due to diabetes, which forced him to leave the group a year later. Mike graduated from Machakos Training College for the Blind where he was trained in Braille and mobility. Subsequently he was referred to Kenya Society For the Blind where he developed his skills on Adapted Computer Technology. Mike is now married to Susan and is the father of Jackie and Elvis.
Evans Kinga
Percussionist
Evans was born partially sighted in the coastal city of Mombasa. He went to St. Lucy´s School for visually impaired located near the slopes of Mt. Kenya. He completed his secondary education at Thika School for the Blind where he was first exposed to the piano and other instruments. It was then when his passion for music was ignited. Evans was also trained in computer skills at Kenya Society For the Blind. Currently, he works as a music teacher in St. Theresa´s Church choir located in the Eastleigh suburb of Nairobi.
Winnie Awino Ongoje Percussionist
Winnie was born in Nairobi and with her 23 years of age she is Drums in the Dark´s youngest drummer. She lost her sight due to glaucome just after finishing high school. Therefore she moved to Machakos for rehabilitation and special training in a Technical Institute for the Blind. After her graduation she specialized in Shiatsu Therapy for one year and gained the necessary skills to work as a professional massage therapist at USAID in Nairobi. At the moment she is also attending a course on Adapted Computer Technology at Kenya Society for the Blind and is passionate about singing, listening to gospel songs and knowing people.
Joseph Njugi Kimani
Percussionist
Joseph was the last to join Drums in the Dark. He is 32 years old and was born in Kiambu County in the Central Province of Kenya. Joseph he dropped school in 7th grade and since then held temporary jobs as ‘’fundi’’ (a person skilled in repairing or maintaining machinery). While in primary school he joined "Our Radyconsorata Riaridge Church" as a choir member and later on he started playing the kayamba and the drums.
Unfortunately Joseph lost his sight in June of 2014 due to a methanol contaminated drink that took his borther's and father's lives. Because of his disability he joined Kenya Institute for the Blind in Nairobi where he is being trained in mobility, Braille and computer.
TEAM
Mbuch
Talent Development Manager
Mbuch is a professional percussionist, performer and music teacher. He specializes in a range of traditional Kenyan music with extensive knowledge of coastal rhythms and instruments. Mbuch worked as a percussionist for Zamaleo ACT and Kenyan Afro Fusion Band. He was also music director for The Comtemporary Dance Company Kunja Dance Theatre and a percussive instruments teacher for Nairobi International School and Debe Debe Drum Circle.
Santiago Cortés
Co-Founder • CEO
Santiago is one of the founders and leaders of Drums in the Dark. He has a diverse experience working in emerging markets with international organizations and social enterprises. After working in a private investment firm, Santiago worked for the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) on a capacity building project with Office the President in Colombia. He has also worked in multiple countries with Kiva.org, advising on funding allocation and business training programs for local MFIs and SMEs. Santiago has a Masters in Strategic Management from the Universidad Francisco de Vitoria (Madrid, Spain) and a Bachelors in Business Administration from CESA School of Business in Bogota, Colombia.
Santiago Del Giudice
Co-Founder • Managing Director
Santiago is one of the founders and leaders of Drums in the Dark. As a professional in communications, he has gained diverse experience in the public, private and social sector. Working for the Government of the City of Buenos Aires he developed solid skills and a deep understanding on communication best practices to effectively reach diverse social sectors. In 2013 he was selected as part of AIESEC´s Global Community Development Program. As a volunteer in a school for the blind in Kenya he worked very close to the visually impaired students assisting the teachers and implementing creative activities. He has also worked in different projects with Ashoka East Africa and holds a Post Graduate Certificate in Social Innovation Management from Amani Institute.
Rodrigo Alarcón
Co-Founder • Design & Innovation Director
Having worked many years in the private sector, helped Rodrigo to develop a broad perspective about business aspects, teams, and project dynamics. He has worked with different organizations on improving their business models and performance. Likewise, he realised that something was missing, since identified that the corporate world wouldn't give him the sense of contribution he was looking for. Ever since, he started a new path that aims to use his background to design solutions, and participate within initiatives that tackle social issues.
With a passion for sports, travels, nature, and creative teams; Rodrigo hopes to unlock potential in others, becomes a facilitator for new opportunities, and create effective change.
