Our Mission

The mission of International Peace Initiatives is to promote cultures of peace by supporting sustainable initiatives that improve livelihoods and enhance quality of life. IPI-U.S. is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit that helps fund, and gives advice and technical assistance to IPI-Kenya, which runs all operations in Meru, Kenya.

Our Vision

International Peace Initiatives envisions a world where violence, poverty and disease no longer exist and every individual lives in dignity and with integrity.

Who We Serve

Specifically, IPI builds a new generation of leaders through peace and ethical leadership programs, and provides orphans, women living with HIV/AIDS, survivors of violence, and communities with the tools and resources to move from violence, poverty, and crisis to stability and self-reliance, thereby building resilient communities.

Our Approach

  • Participatory and holistic approach to development and peace-building
  • Human rights, child rights and women’s rights focus
  • We embrace practices that enhance environmental, social and economic sustainability
  • Promoting equality, equity and justice


Our Impact

  • All 73 children living in the Children’s Home earn B+- A+ averages in school
  • Over 50 children have successfully moved on from primary day scholars to secondary boarding schools.
  • 30 KACH kids have graduated with Bachelor’s degrees in International Relations, Business, Finance, Sustainable Peacebuilding, Computer Science and Math, Computer Engineering, Education, Journalism, and more
  • Five KACH kids have completed their Master’s degrees and one will complete his PH.D. in 2022
  • 85% of IPI’s Vocational Skills School graduates have set up their own businesses
  • 600 women have been trained in valuable skills
  • 50,000 people been impacted by peace programs and community outreach programs

Our Story

Dr. Karambu Ringera first met a group of women who were who were living with HIV/AIDS in July of 2002. The women were meeting at her mother’s home and they all were struggling to support themselves and their children. They asked her whether she could assist them in sending their children to school and also if she could help the women living with AIDS get medication. She said to the women, “I am just a student and really have no money. However, I will think about your request.

Continue Reading Our Story

IPI-Kenya Leadership

Dr. Karambu Ringera

Mrs. Eva Muriungi

Mrs. Susan Mukiri

Mrs. Elizabeth Martin

Mr. Dickson Mugendi

Mrs. Faith Manyara

IPI-U.S. Board of Directors

Eamon Aloyo

Mike Beerntsen

Angie Phetteplace

Fredah Rajab

Michael Steinback

Dr. Timothy Ehlinger

Dr. Timothy Ehlinger

Dr. Kathleen Holton

Bridghette Parker

Advisory Board

Nancy Ross

Ralph Ogden

Jeffrey Smith

Barbara Bates

Barry Biegler

Michele Hovey

Youth Ambassadors

Olivia Maritz

Catherine Ross

Layne Vandenberg

U.S. Staff

Cara Hoevet

Friends and Partners

The work of IPI is only achievable through our mutually-transformative partnerships with local and global friends.

U.S.

  • Captiva Marketing
  • Citywide Banks
  • Colorado Coalition for African Empowerment
  • Ecologia Youth Trust
  • Kenya Urithi Education Fund
  • Rotary Clubs of Denver & Detroit
  • Students Shoulder-to-Shoulder
  • University of Michigan
  • Women’s Partnership Market

Africa

  • Balm Touch International
  • Initiatives of Change
  • Rotary Club of Meru

Europe

  • Engineers Without Borders, UK
  • KORI, The Vessel Project
  • Soroptimist International, St Albans and District

Former Partners

  • Alpine Initiatives
  • Skansen Construction Company – Chris Skansen, owner of Skansen Construction, brought life to a young IPI in 2006 when they committed to providing the buildings for the Amani Children’s Home for children orphaned by AIDS. We would not be where we are today without their work.
  • Technology Partnership
  • Western Case Reserve
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    Born and raised in Meru, Kenya, Dr. Ringera earned her Ph.D. in intercultural communication in 2008 from the University of Denver. She earned a Masters Degree in Media from Natal University, South Africa, as well as a Master of Theological Studies (with a peace and justice emphasis) from the Iliff School of Theology in Colorado. She received her Bachelor of Education degree and Postgraduate Diploma in Mass Communication from the University of Nairobi, Kenya. Dr. Ringera is also a lecturer at the University of Nairobi.

    Dr. Ringera is a 2016 Cordes Social Entrepreneurs Fellow; a 2015/16 Next Generation Leader Fellow of the McCain Institute for International Leadership, USA; the 2015 Life Achievement Award and 2015 Master Scholar Award winner, University of Denver, USA; and the 2012 African Achievers Award, UK – for her cutting edge work in innovative and sustainable models of development & peacebuilding, women’s human rights and global leadership programs around the world.

    She has used her extensive academic background and international experience working in many countries to design and implement models of effective community engagement, women’s grassroots organizing programs, collaborative problem solving models, preemptive and post conflict reconciliation, and proactive health campaigns. She has built a successful, working model of “Amani Homes,” community homes of peace for orphans and vulnerable children in Meru, Kenya.

    Near the Amani home, she has also built Tiriji (“the place of abundance”), a permaculture center that trains people in the community how to develop and sustain successful food sovereignty projects. Tiriji has become a training center for peace and leadership programs. Karambu is a visionary, an activist, a compassionate, committed, formidable force for change, and an inspiration to all who meet her.

    “I like to think of myself as a peace, healing and reconciliation activist, involved in promoting community based organizing that empowers grassroots people, especially women and children challenged by disease, violence, and poverty. Poverty is not just about lack of money, or absence of violence and disease, rather the greatest suffering in these areas results from lack of access to information, a lack of knowledge and support to successfully utilize and develop local resources to create a better life. My desire is to stand with communities as they learn to listen deeply to the inner knowing of their hearts, identify their needs, craft their own solutions and inspire actions to meet those needs. My role is to support and trust their judgment and promote the implementation of their self-identified solutions. I invite you to stand with me to enable the work of IPI on a path that provides hope and light for all of us.”