Fish4Kenya (F4K) was started in 2005 by Susan Thompson, a passionate Yukon fish biologist. Susan has since passed after a short battle with cancer in 2012. Her legacy lives on and is embodied in the continuation of this project. The current board is committed to delivering on her vision and support these farmers and communities in western Kenya.
The board is always looking for new members, new ideas and tax deductible charitable donations. If you would like to contact us please email [email protected].
The board is always looking for new members, new ideas and tax deductible charitable donations. If you would like to contact us please email [email protected].
Susan and Hussein
Susan Thompson
In 1982, after completing college in Vermilion, Alberta, Susan moved to Whitehorse, Yukon where she began her career as a fisheries technician and biologist for the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and the Yukon Department of Environment (Fisheries Branch).
In 1984 Susan traveled to Kenya as a volunteer with Canadian Crossroads International, a journey that formed the foundation for work and friendships that drew her back to Kenya many times. Her passion for fisheries and community development culminated in "Fish4Kenya", a project she developed to assist rural fish farmers.
In 2004, Susan volunteered with the Canadian Harambee Education Society (CHES) in Kenya and met Hussein Wechuli, who was working as a receptionist for the society at the time. While volunteering with CHES, Susan became aware of farmers who were practicing fish farming but lacked adequate knowledge of the practice. Recognizing an opportunity to use her fisheries expertise to support these farmers, Susan returned to Canada and began developing a sustainable fish farming practice for implementation in Kenya. The following year, she returned to Kenya with all the necessary tools and collaborated with Hussein to offer training to interested farmers. The two continued to work closely together in subsequent years, with Hussein engaging community members in Kenya while Susan raised funds and support in Canada.
Susan retired from the Department of Environment in 2010 and sadly, was diagnosed with cancer shortly after. She passed away in Oct 2012. Susan will be remembered as an eternal optimist and a very gifted person to whom nothing seemed impossible. She was an experienced outdoorswoman, an athlete, a world traveler, a voracious reader, a passionate animal-lover and a committed community volunteer. She enriched us all with her sense of fairness, justice, joy and friendship.
Susan left a significant impact on her fish families in Yukon and Kenya, and her passion and dedication to the project continues on with the support of local Yukoners and all the fish farmers in Kenya.
Today, Hussein Wechuli continues to run the Fish4Kenya operations in Kakamega, Kenya.
Hussein Wechuli
Hussein's journey with Fish4Kenya began in 2004 when he met Susan while working with the Canadian Harambee Education Society. When Susan returned to Kenya in 2005 with a vision of starting the Fish4Kenya project, Hussein became her project partner, and he has been in charge of program operations in Kenya ever since.
As a multi-tasker within the organization, Hussein's primary responsibility is overseeing fish farming development projects and engaging with community members eager to create their own fish ponds. His project management skills are indispensable as he plays a critical role in selecting the right farmers for the project and ensuring that they receive adequate training to begin their journey as fish farmers. Hussein is hands-on when it comes to pond construction, stocking of fingerlings, ordering and supplying fish feeds.
Hussein's presence in the field is essential to ensure the smooth and successful implementation of the project. He frequently visits farmers to monitor their progress and provide necessary advice. During harvest time, Hussein oversees the process and helps farmers get their fish to the market.
Hussein's unwavering commitment to farmers and Fish4Kenya has been instrumental in the projects continued success and growth. Without him, Fish4Kenya would not have achieved such remarkable results, transforming the lives of farmers and their families in the region.
Project Location
The project is located in Western Province of Kakamega, Kenya and supports numerous communities in the area.
In 1982, after completing college in Vermilion, Alberta, Susan moved to Whitehorse, Yukon where she began her career as a fisheries technician and biologist for the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and the Yukon Department of Environment (Fisheries Branch).
In 1984 Susan traveled to Kenya as a volunteer with Canadian Crossroads International, a journey that formed the foundation for work and friendships that drew her back to Kenya many times. Her passion for fisheries and community development culminated in "Fish4Kenya", a project she developed to assist rural fish farmers.
In 2004, Susan volunteered with the Canadian Harambee Education Society (CHES) in Kenya and met Hussein Wechuli, who was working as a receptionist for the society at the time. While volunteering with CHES, Susan became aware of farmers who were practicing fish farming but lacked adequate knowledge of the practice. Recognizing an opportunity to use her fisheries expertise to support these farmers, Susan returned to Canada and began developing a sustainable fish farming practice for implementation in Kenya. The following year, she returned to Kenya with all the necessary tools and collaborated with Hussein to offer training to interested farmers. The two continued to work closely together in subsequent years, with Hussein engaging community members in Kenya while Susan raised funds and support in Canada.
Susan retired from the Department of Environment in 2010 and sadly, was diagnosed with cancer shortly after. She passed away in Oct 2012. Susan will be remembered as an eternal optimist and a very gifted person to whom nothing seemed impossible. She was an experienced outdoorswoman, an athlete, a world traveler, a voracious reader, a passionate animal-lover and a committed community volunteer. She enriched us all with her sense of fairness, justice, joy and friendship.
Susan left a significant impact on her fish families in Yukon and Kenya, and her passion and dedication to the project continues on with the support of local Yukoners and all the fish farmers in Kenya.
Today, Hussein Wechuli continues to run the Fish4Kenya operations in Kakamega, Kenya.
Hussein Wechuli
Hussein's journey with Fish4Kenya began in 2004 when he met Susan while working with the Canadian Harambee Education Society. When Susan returned to Kenya in 2005 with a vision of starting the Fish4Kenya project, Hussein became her project partner, and he has been in charge of program operations in Kenya ever since.
As a multi-tasker within the organization, Hussein's primary responsibility is overseeing fish farming development projects and engaging with community members eager to create their own fish ponds. His project management skills are indispensable as he plays a critical role in selecting the right farmers for the project and ensuring that they receive adequate training to begin their journey as fish farmers. Hussein is hands-on when it comes to pond construction, stocking of fingerlings, ordering and supplying fish feeds.
Hussein's presence in the field is essential to ensure the smooth and successful implementation of the project. He frequently visits farmers to monitor their progress and provide necessary advice. During harvest time, Hussein oversees the process and helps farmers get their fish to the market.
Hussein's unwavering commitment to farmers and Fish4Kenya has been instrumental in the projects continued success and growth. Without him, Fish4Kenya would not have achieved such remarkable results, transforming the lives of farmers and their families in the region.
Project Location
The project is located in Western Province of Kakamega, Kenya and supports numerous communities in the area.
Fish4Kenya Projects in Kakamega, Kenya
Current and Past Directors and Supporters
The current volunteer Directors and project supporters are:
Project Supporters:
The board wants to thank the many past supporters of the project (apologies to anyone we missed):
The current volunteer Directors and project supporters are:
- Don Toews - Whitehorse, Yukon (Chair)
- Cheryl Thompson -Dawson City, Yukon/ Calgary, AB (Treasurer)
- Laverne Bissky, Calgary, AB (Treasurer)
- Rick Thompson- Calgary, AB
- Pat Tobler - Whitehorse, Yukon
- Dennis Zimmermann - Whitehorse, Yukon
- Petra Szekeres - Whitehorse, Yukon
- Hussein Wechuli - Kakamega, Kenya
Project Supporters:
- David Toews
- Emily Thompson
- Kiran Toews
- David Dziadyk
- Hillarie Zimmermann
- Andrea Giesbrecht
- Andrew Bronson
The board wants to thank the many past supporters of the project (apologies to anyone we missed):
- Audrey McLaughlin
- Jan McKenzie
- Nick and Nancy deGraff
- Gordon Gilgan
- Corliss Burke
- Aileen Horler
- Catherine Pinard