Our Name, Our Ethos
Every beginning carries a story. Ours starts with Orpesi, a word from the Maa language of the Maasai in Kenya and Tanzania that means new beginnings, hope, and fresh growth. It is more than a name. It is a belief in the possibility that lives within organizations and communities ready to shape their own futures.
We hold that transformation is not imported. It grows from within. Orpesi is both our name and our commitment: to walk alongside our partners as they build pathways that are rooted, resilient, and designed for the future they envision.
Who We Are
We are a catalytic nonprofit collective grounded in a simple belief: the most effective solutions are led by those closest to the challenge. We partner with purpose-driven organizations to turn bold ideas into strategies that work and results that last. Founded by a network of strategists, designers, public health practitioners, and facilitators with decades of work across Africa and Asia, Orpesi was created to close the gap between visionary ambition and practical execution.
Vision
A future where people-centered development is led by those closest to the challenge, supported by strong institutions, adaptive strategy, meaningful measurement, and shared learning.
Mission
To help organizations and leaders design stronger programs, build institutional and financial resilience, and grow their influence through inclusive design, applied behavioral insight, adaptive strategy, and insight-driven storytelling.
Core Values
Authenticity
We stay grounded in local realities and honest relationships, guided by the lived experiences of the communities and leaders we work with.
Bold Thinking
We approach complex challenges with curiosity and creativity, drawing on design, systems thinking, and behavioral insight to shape what is possible.
Empathy
We listen deeply, move with care, and create space for perspectives that influence how solutions are shaped and sustained.
Strategic Rigor
We bring clarity through evidence, practical measurement, and insight-driven learning to help organizations make confident, informed decisions.
Stewardship
We use our position responsibly, centering equity and sustainable impact in every engagement.
Collaborative Practice
We co-create solutions through trust, shared learning, and partnership, strengthening the capabilities of the people and institutions who carry the work forward.