In a significant milestone marking its 10 year anniversary, Aberdeen-based charity Gathimba Edwards Foundation has rebranded as GEF. The relaunch reflects the organisation’s renewed vision and expanded commitment to supporting children in both Kenya and north-east Scotland.
Co-founder and Director Myles Edwards shared insights on the motivations behind the move and the positive impact it continues to make on young lives.
A Journey That Began with a Race
Myles Edwards’ journey with the foundation started in 2009, when he met Kenyan athlete Gideon Gathimba during a race at the opening of Aberdeen Sports Village. “Both of us were runners – him much quicker than me,” Myles said with a laugh. Their shared passion for athletics and a subsequent visit to Kenya in 2011 led Myles to witness firsthand the challenges faced by children at Pavilion Village Children’s Home.
“Gideon had been supporting the home himself with food from his farm, but when we visited – although the children were all happy and well looked after – it was clear the surroundings were far from ideal,” Myles recalled. That visit sparked a fundraising effort for mattresses for the home, which was more successful than expected. “From there, we started supporting children through school – almost all of them were out of education at that point. The response from people was amazing and it wasn’t too long before we had every child at the home supported in education, whether it was primary or secondary school or higher education at college or university”
Expanding Support: From Kenya to Scotland
Over the years, GEF has expanded its reach, ensuring more children receive education, shelter, and psychosocial support. Although initially focused on Kenya, the charity later extended its efforts to north-east Scotland through the Neil Jaffrey Initiative. “My friend Neil Jaffrey, a huge supporter of our work, sadly passed away in a road accident in Aberdeen and we wanted to do something in his memory. We did some things in Kenya, including naming a road after him and building a house during our first volunteer trip, but we wanted to do more,” Myles shared.
Recognising a growing need for support closer to home, GEF began providing assistance to children in north-east Scotland. “Matthew James Dyer – MJ – was the first child we supported here and over the past ten years, we’ve delivered support through the Neil Jaffrey Initiative, but we reached a point where it felt a little separate from the work we were doing in Kenya. That made it difficult for people to fully understand our mission,” Myles explained.
“Before, I’d be explaining our work in Kenya and then saying we also have the Neil Jaffrey Initiative here in the North-East. I wanted to get away from using the word ‘also’ to describe the work. Neil and his family will always be at the heart of that story but it was important for us to make the change to ensure we can maximise the impact for kids that we support in both regions”.
Transforming Lives Through Education, Shelter, and Wellbeing
To address this, the rebrand has centred GEF’s work on three core pillars: Education, Shelter, and Wellbeing. “The new vision is about building a brighter future and improving the quality of life for children in Kenya and north-east Scotland.”
Although the type of support under each pillar differs between Kenya and Scotland, they all contribute to the same mission. “In terms of education, in Kenya, we help cover school and university fees, while in Scotland, that might mean providing an iPad to make education more accessible for a child with disabilities. Shelter in Kenya is about house building, whereas in Scotland, it might be an access ramp into a home. Wellbeing in Kenya includes counselling and food support, while in Scotland, it might be an electric wheelchair or hippotherapy.”
The impact of GEF’s work is undeniable. “In Kenya we supported a single mum and her two daughters who had been homeless and victims of abuse. One of the girls is now in school, while the other attended university in Cyprus. In Scotland we recently provided a double buggy for a single mum caring for two disabled daughters. She was pushing them in heavy wheelchairs while also looking after another young child so being able to provide that simple solution has massively improved their lives”.
“We always say that the situations we help with shouldn’t exist – there shouldn’t be a need for the work we do. But being able to step in and provide meaningful support can make a life changing difference. We know every family we support, and that personal connection helps us understand their challenges and tailor our support to make the biggest impact possible.”
Beyond direct support, GEF is also committed to raising awareness about the challenges children and families face. “Before we started this work, I never realised you had to pay to attend public school in Kenya or that school fees could be double a single parent’s annual salary,” Myles admitted. “Similarly, here in Scotland, a parent caring for a disabled child can spend up to 50 extra hours a week on care-related tasks. Sharing these stories helps people understand the reality many families face.”
Looking Ahead: The Future of GEF
Looking to the future, GEF is excited about its next steps. “This rebrand has given us a more focused approach, allowing us to maximise our impact. We’re planning strategically for the next five and ten years and learning from both the successes and challenges from past projects. We have an incredible team of staff and volunteers who make everything possible. It’s an exciting time for change, and all of it is positive.”
For those looking to get involved, there are numerous opportunities. “Events and volunteering are a big part of what we do. The Safari Series races require around 20-30 volunteers per event, and we’re always looking for more. We host fundraising events like our recent Speed Quiz which took place in March and have our upcoming Hope & Fizz Ladies’ Lunch on September 12th. We also have another house-building trip to Kenya taking place in July 2026.”
Myles reassures potential volunteers for the house building trips that experience isn’t necessary. “If I can do it, anyone can! We’ve had teenagers, young children, and even a trustee in his late 70s taking part. It’s an experience that creates lifelong friendships and a strong sense of community.”
Reflecting on the past decade, Myles feels grateful. “We rarely take time to stop and reflect, but moments like the rebrand have allowed us to. On our last house-building trip, I saw young adults we had supported through school and university now giving back, building houses for others. That’s when you realise the full-circle impact of the work.”
“We never set out to create a charity – just to make a difference. Thanks to so many amazing people over the years, we’re still able to do that.”
For more information on how to support GEF, or to find out how get involved in one of their upcoming events visit www.gathimbaedwardsfoundation.org
This article originally appeared in the April edition of ACVO News, our free monthly digital magazine for and from Aberdeen’s third sector. Read and subscribe at acvo.org.uk/acvo-news
