The Nicole Kenton Memorial Project is a development initiative that aims to continue the priceless work of Nicole Kenton and advance her community development work among the dryland communities in East Africa. This will truly leave a lasting legacy.
Who was Nicole Kenton?
Nicole, as an experienced international development practitioner, devoted her entire life to promoting sustainable development among the dryland communities. She worked for the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) in empowering communities through development communication and participatory approaches. She studied Modern Languages (French and German) at the University of Wales and completed a postgraduate course on Community Participation in Professional Practice at the University of Edinburgh. At IIED, she was the coordinating editor of the Haramata Journal and accompanying Drylands Issues Papers (in English and French) and a co-editor of the international journal Participatory Learning and Action (PLA). In 2016, Nicole joined PENHA’s Board of Trustees and, in 2018, was part of a strategic visit to PENHA’s Somaliland office and to Samara University in the Afar region of Ethiopia, where she delivered a lecture on the challenges and opportunities of pastoralism at an international conference. She was also a trustee of Charushila, an international environmental design charity, which works with communities to transform underused public spaces for food growing and wellbeing. Nicole has published journal articles and policy briefs and is a reviewer of Development in Practice.
The Nicole Kenton Project is being launched with the support of Nicole’s family, colleagues, friends, and those who are interested in advancing her worthwhile work. As a small-scale pilot project, the funds will be collected through donations.
To support this initiative, please use the JustGiving donation link: https://justgiving.com/campaign/nicolekenton
A memorial event was held on the 3rd of November 2024, and below is the recorded video of the event. The Nicole Kenton family and PENHA thank all those who attended the memorial event and supported the initiative that can contribute to the betterment of the Horn of Africa pastoral communities.
‘’More bridges to build and more
love to give’’
By
Zeremariam Fre in memory of Nicole Kenton
London, November 3rd 2024
You lit countless candles in people’s hearts,
including mine sweet Nicole. You gave so much
love and hope without expecting anything in return,
as true friends always do.
Time and again, you put yourself on the line for others, enduring hardship and pain, all for the sake of love and kindness.
You were a bridge builder across faiths and cultures, driven by a dream to make the world a better place—a dream unfinished, but still brought closer because of you.
Even now, in a world with so many wounds to heal, you leave us with a model of love and compassion. Your beloved husband, Steve, who loves you beyond words, shares his thoughts:
“Together, we embarked on life’s journey with a dream to build a family—a dream to raise children and watch them grow, both in body and spirit. I kept our vows, and in so many ways, our dreams were achieved. But your sudden departure brings a sorrow that cuts deeply, one that we, who love you, will carry with us always.”
As a close family friend and your African brother in spirit, I want to tell you this: The children you and Steve raised together are brilliant lights in our world, embodying the very values you both instilled in them. They are strong, wise, and grounded reflections of you and Steve in every way. You can rest in peace knowing they carry your legacy forward I have no doubt.
On behalf of the whole PENHA family and colleagues, whose hearts ache in your absence, I want to express our deep gratitude and love. For over 30 years, of our shared vision for a better world, and we are committed to keeping our shared dreams alive against many odds in our troubled world.
The family and legacy you built will remain a beacon, a bridge that continues to connect us and the so many of your friends and family who missed you so dearly.
Until we meet again,
may you rest in eternal peace Dearest Nicole
my ‘amicus aeternum’.
