Everyone Needs A Place To Build Hopes and Dreams

By Alissa Byrd

NorthWestern Energy Engineer Noah Kimuyukilonzo taught himself web design and creation so he could help raise awareness of the Kalawa Library and School Project. He also helps supply computers to the school and library in Kenya so students can prepare for jobs in e-commerce.

At heart, Noah Kimuyukilonzo has always had a passion for helping others and finding ways to make the puzzle pieces fit.

“I’ve always enjoyed looking at a project and finding a solution to make it work or to make it better,” he said. “That’s why I chose a career in engineering because it’s concrete, black and white.”

At NorthWestern Energy, Noah exercises his passion for “making the puzzle pieces fit” by working on projects as the construction engineer in Yankton, South Dakota.

Outside of work, Noah follows his passion for helping others by volunteering with the Kalawa Library and School Project.

The Kalawa Library and School in rural Kenya.

Noah’s original roots reside more than 8,000 miles away in Nairobi, Kenya, where he was born and spent the first 10 years of his childhood before moving to the United States in 2001.

In 2019, Noah traveled back to Kenya to visit his extended family for the first time since he’d left, and he was reminded and humbled by how different everyday life is in Kenya compared to the United States.

“It was kind of a culture shock again, but in reverse. I forgot how much of a need there was for all the basic necessities,” Noah said.

He knew he needed to do something to help. And he needed to figure out how to help in a meaningful way while still living in the United States.

Noah’s father, Dr. Gideon K. Kilonzo, has spent most of life giving back and helping the people of Kalawa, Kenya.

“As a career educator since the mid-1970s, I purport that education plays a vital part in any solution toward improving the lives of a rural village. I think if people have the opportunity for an education, they can learn how to find or create resources regardless of where they live,” Dr. Kilonzo said.

In 2011, he established the Kalawa Library and School Project to provide primary education, computer literacy, teaching resources and library services to rural Kalawa, Kenya.

“The idea was to raise funds to build a library and later a K-8 elementary school,” Dr. Kilonzo said. “A farm storage building was refurbished, making it into a library.”

The library had limited electricity, but at minimum, it provided a place for children to read and learn independently. The Kalawa Library opened its doors on Dec. 16, 2011. Shortly after, in January 2012, St. Joseph Academy was formed.

After visiting Kenya, Noah decided to follow in his father’s footsteps, got involved and helped take the project to the next level by developing a website to raise awareness.

Noah’s role in the Kalawa Library and School Project is maintaining the website, applying for grants and finding ways to get additional donations to the project.

“It took about a year to develop the content needed for launching the project publicly. During this time, I learned the ins and outs of website design and creation,” he said.

In June 2020, The Kalawa Library and School Project launched “Project Fanikiwa” to help develop technical and vocational skills for youths and adults in preparation for the worldwide e-commerce industry. Noah’s work with local organizations helps facilitate supplies and computers for the program. “I know we’re making an impactful difference,” he said. But there’s still work left to do – and that’s what keeps Noah motivated the most for the project.

“The majority of kids who attend St. Joseph Academy walk about five miles to school every morning. So getting a reliable form of transportation is one of the many goals to help improve their quality of life overall,” he said.

The kitchen is a crude outdoor facility with no modern amenities such as running water or electricity.

“It’s more or less a pit that they light a fire in and cook porridge in to serve the students,” he said.

With the help of donations from local organizations, including North- Western Energy, Noah maintains the website to bring awareness of his father’s efforts and all of the remaining puzzle pieces to help improve the lives of people in Kalawa, Kenya.

The Kalawa Library and School Project

Visit www.kalawalspinc.org to learn how you can help support the project. and to read an essay by Dr. Gideon K. Kilonzo about the Kalawa Library and School Project.

Our Volunteer Programs

NorthWestern Energy encourages employee volunteerism by offering paid time off for volunteer activities.

We also offer two different employee volunteer grant programs. Through our Employee Volunteer Program, NorthWestern Energy will donate up to $400 to each nonprofit organization our employees serve. With our Team Grants, we give $100 for each employee who volunteers at an event.

In 2021, we awarded $54,900 to 103 nonprofits through the Employee Volunteer Program and Team Grant Program.