About Us

Jane Adeny Memorial School for Girls is a high school located in rural, western Kenya and registered with the Kenya Ministry of Education. JAMS provides an education “good enough for the richest and open to the poorest.” Some of the students have parents who can pay some of their school fees; however, most JAMS students would not progress beyond middle school if not for the support of generous donors. Some of these students are orphans, others desperately poor.

The high school curriculum is set nationally by the Ministry of Education. JAMS enriches this curriculum with entrepreneurship activities, extra-curricular activities, and leadership training. Teachers at JAMS use teaching methods shown to promote active, hands-on learning so that the girls develop initiative and apply what they are learning to situations they face in their own lives and communities. Microenterprises on campus, including the dairy, poultry project, bakery, piggery, and greenhouses (vegetable cultivation), provide experiential learning opportunities for students and make substantial contributions to the school’s financial sustainability. Working on these projects introduces JAMS students to global issues and prepares them to be self-sufficient and leaders in their communities.

Friends of JAMS Board of Directors

President

Anne Kaplan

Anne serves as the President of the Board of Directors for Friends of JAMS. In a long and wide-ranging administrative career at Northern Illinois University, Anne found many opportunities to promote and pursue projects, policy changes and programs designed to increase opportunities for women students, faculty, and staff. Her role on the JAMS board allows her to use her experience to further similar goals in an international setting.

“I believe that opportunities for girls and women are fundamental to the continued development of their countries and that gender equity distributes skill sets and talent in ways that contribute to the happiness and productivity of all citizens.”

Board Members

Marilyn Bellert

Marilyn serves as the Vice President of the Board of Directors. She is a retired university administrator who specialized in school-university partnerships and in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) education. She also worked as a high school English teacher and worked in education policy at the local, state, and national levels. Marilyn enjoys international travel, cooking, reading, and keeping up with her large family.

“The quality of life in developing countries impacts all of us in every part of the globe. Educating young women and training them as leaders represent one of the most important strategies for improving the economy, environment, and social and cultural life. I feel honored to serve on the Friends of JAMS board, where I can support this innovative school in Kenya. Graduates of Jane Adeny Memorial School are prepared for university and vocational college as well as for entrepreneurial success in local communities. They will change the world.“

Mark Cordes

Mark Cordes is Professor Emeritus at NIU’s College of Law, where he taught for 36 years and twice served as interim dean. He is actively involved in Westminster Presbyterian Church, and over the years has served on a number of community boards, including PADS, Prairie State Legal Services, AYSO Soccer, LOVE, Inc, and Barb City Manor. Formerly an avid runner, he now enjoys biking, pickleball, reading, and time with his family (especially the grandchildren!).

“Educating and empowering girls and young women is a great investment, transforming both lives and communities. And there is no better example of that than the Jane Adeny Memorial School in Kenya. JAMS provides an excellent, holistic education, preparing students to engage with and impact their world. I am honored to be on the Friends of JAMS Board, helping to support the school’s life-changing work.”

Ashley Ford

Ashley serves as Treasurer for the Friends of JAMS. She has a B.A. in English from the University of Florida and has lived in the DeKalb area since 2012. She homeschooled her children for 20 years, and she currently provides office support for NIU’s Department of Sociology. Her hobbies include yarn craft, rewilding her yard with native plants, and making music. She plays French horn in the Kishwaukee Concert Band.

“I am so honored to join the Board of Directors for the Friends of JAMS.  I believe in the transformative power of a holistic education, and I believe in the power of educated women to transform their own lives, their communities, and beyond.  Helping girls helps the world, and I’m grateful for this opportunity to contribute to that cause.”

Dan Kenney

A retired teacher, Dan is the Founder and Project Director of DeKalb County Community Gardens in DeKalb County, Illinois, and Secretary of the DeKalb County Soil and Water Conservation District Board.

Doris Macdonald

Doris joined the board in 2023 and has taken on the new role of Scholarship Coordinator. She is a retired professor of English and Linguistics and has taught in the US, Lithuania, and Indonesia. In addition to enjoying getting to know more about the generous Friends of JAMS donors and students, she takes time to read plenty of cozy mystery novels, cycle when the weather is good, and learn to ride a horse.

“I’ve long been a Friend of JAMS and have come increasingly to realize how transformative the school is for girls in rural Kenya. Supporting JAMS students in achieving their educational goals is one small way I can honor those who encouraged and supported me to meet my educational goals. One girl at a time, we can change the world.”

Melanie Magara

Melanie joined the Friends of JAMS board in 2025 and serves as the chair of its communications committee. She spent more than 40 years in a variety of communications and public relations positions in broadcast news, health care, and higher education, including 26 years at Northern Illinois University. For the past 15 years, Melanie has served on the board of directors for Community Coordinated Child Care (4C) in DeKalb and has participated in various community initiatives including school funding campaigns and crisis communications training. During her time at NIU, Melanie had the privilege of writing about JAMS and helping to celebrate the legacies of its founders, Teresa Wasonga and Andrew Otieno.

“JAMS is such a worthwhile organization! Nearly every dollar raised goes directly to the school, where every girl is prepared for a better life and brighter future.  It is difficult to imagine a better investment of one’s time and support than this life-changing project.”

Kate Noreiko

Kate serves as the Secretary for Friends of JAMS. She retired after a 35+ year career in human resources in health care and higher education. Prior to retirement she served on community boards including 4-C, Kishwaukee United Way, and DeKalb Chamber of Commerce. In 2018 she was recognized for her community contributions with the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce Women of Accomplishment award. From 2015–2019 she served on the DeKalb City Council for the Fifth Ward. Most recently she became a member of the first DeKalb Citizens’ Police Review Board. Kate enjoys traveling, trying to fulfill her garden vision, reading, and knitting.

“Since I was young, I have had an outside focus: when I was a child, I helped pack clothes to send to my relatives in Poland. Then at age 12 I started saving my babysitting money to travel to Europe. I spent a semester in London in college and later traveled to several countries, strengthening my desire to see the world. Finally, after several years of marriage my husband and I adopted our daughter and son from Korea. Now I have the opportunity to impact an organization that makes a difference in the lives of girls in a distant place. I am grateful that by being part of this organization I live out the motto of my alma mater, Rosary College (now Dominican University): Caritas/Veritas (Charity/Truth). JAMS provides young women the opportunity to develop all parts of their being: physical, spiritual, mental, emotional, and intellectual. Thus, they can make a difference in their lives and those of their families and communities. A blessing the school lives out this mission and I can touch it!”

Samuel A. Ochieng, Ph.D.

Sam is a native of Kenya who has spent many years studying, working, and living in different countries including Sweden, the Republic of South Africa, and the USA. He brings over 30 years of expertise and experience in science laboratory research and techniques that he will use to mentor both teachers and students in the STEM fields of study at JAMS. He is passionate about education and has personally seen the value of quality education in improving the quality of life of communities. Sam enjoys international travel, fishing, gardening, and spending time with his grandchildren.

“I identify with the environment most JAMS students come from and appreciate the school’s mission to provide a priceless opportunity that not only benefits the individual student, but their families and communities. Given the strong foundational structure of JAMS plus continued commitment of generous supporters and teachers, these students are better placed to excel in whatever career paths they choose.”

Jean Pierce, Ph.D.

Jean is a professor emerita from Northern Illinois University, where she specialized in educational psychology for 34 years. Her research concerned motivation and self-regulated learning, focusing particularly on learner-centered approaches. Currently, she is actively involved with the League of Women Voters of Illinois, serving as a State Board member and an Issues Specialist for Education Funding. Jean co-authored a book with JAMS founder Teresa Wasonga, Good Enough for the Richest and Open to the Poorest, recounting Teresa and Andrew’s experiences in starting the school. More recently, they have been interviewing JAMS graduates.

“The story of JAMS school is inspiring. It is essential that we share it with others – not as a blue print, but as a model of what can be done when the founders stay true to their principles and integrate the best of educational research with social justice while inviting advice from a variety of experts in in topics ranging from environmental sustainability, to microgrants.”

Dan Schewe

Dan has a B.A. from The University of Michigan and a Masters in Education from Eastern Michigan University. After a career in teaching, and then employee benefits consulting, Dan retired to DeKalb, Illinois with his wife Kathy to be close to family. Dan is active in the DeKalb, Illinois, non-profit community, also serving on the boards of The Egyptian Theatre and Non-Profit Software Corporation.

“As the father of two daughters with PhDs, I place high value on the importance of education for women, both here in America and around the world. I am very proud to play a part in the great work that is being done at the Jane Adeny Memorial School.”