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Bright Light CBO Team
A CBO, Community Based Organization, in areas such as Rusinga Island, Kenya is a locally initiated, non-profit, grassroots organization formed and led by volunteer members of a community. Its purpose is to address the needs and challenges specific to their region by raising funds and resources to support the development of local initiatives, and a better quality of life for Rusinga residents. Where there is often insufficient government attention and financial relief given to improve social, environmental, economic and healthcare needs, CBOs play a vital role. A CBO’s collaboration with education focused non-profit organizations such as the Bright Light Kenya Education Initiative, can strengthen its capacities, effectiveness and sustainability over the long term.
Dr. Salmon Oliech Owidi is a Kenyan from Homabay County. He has a passion for education given the challenges that he went through in his childhood. He holds BSc. Computer Science from Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, a Post- Graduate Diploma in Education from Maseno University, MSc in
ICT at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology and a PhD in Curriculum and Instructional Technology from Masinde Muliro University.
Dr. Owidi's passion for Educational Technology has enabled him to work with several higher learning institutions, including Kaimosi Friends University, Masinde Muliro University, Tom Mboya University, and Technical University of Mombasa among others.
He is also engaged in community development projects, particularly on Rusinga Island. As the Chairperson of Bright Light CBO, he champions initiatives to improve education, healthcare, and basic needs for children with the support of other donors. Dr. Owidi’s vision is to empower youth to break the cycle of poverty, and to inspire others toward positive change.
Salmon Oliech Owidi
CBO Chair
 In Kenya, CBOs are pivotal in addressing local challenges, promoting sustainable development, and empowering communities.
Martin Shikuku Otieno is a Kenyan born on Rusinga Island, where he has lived for over thirty-eight years. At the age of sixteen his parents died, and Martin took over the responsibility of caring for his seven siblings. Despite many challenges he completed his secondary education and began participating in youth support programs in the Mbita District.
He trained as an HIV/AIDs counselor and worked with Impact Research and Development Organization as a peer counselor. Ten years later, he enrolled in SUBA Teacher Training College (TTC), where he earned both a certificate and diploma in Early Childhood Development. In 2014, he enrolled in the degree program in Early Childhood Education (ECDE) at Presbyterian University, graduating in 2018.
Throughout his professional career, he has worked as an ECDE teacher at Mimi Education Center, Nancy Noel Academy and Wakondo Primary School. In 2018, he met Suzanne Oshry, who inspired him to create a private school in Rusinga East, an area where there was no educational institution for local children. This led to the establishment in 2019 of Bright Light Academy, where with Ms. Oshry as Co-Founder and Sponsor, Martin serves as the Director. He is an Officer of Bright Light CBO, a grassroots organization empowered to respond to local initiatives that will improve economic, health, and social conditions in the Rusinga community.
Martin Shikuku Otieno
CBO Co-Founder and School Director
For five years, the Bright Light CBO and its school, Bright Light Academy, have been investing in the future of Rusinga’s children. The dedicated and determined CBO team is committed to keeping our school a free learning center for this area’s poorest families.