Learn a little bit more about the entire team here at Rehema.
U.S. Staff
Estha Trouw Madeira
Executive Director
Estha has 15 years experience in ministry leadership and has a passion for visionary strategy, creative storytelling, donor relations, and developing high performance teams. Prior to serving in her ministry roles, she worked as a television news anchor and reporter at a variety of stations including Fox News in San Diego and NBC in Pittsburgh. Estha is originally from South Africa and came to the US with her family while in elementary school. She holds a bachelor's degree from New York University and completed The Master’s Program for Christian business leaders. When she’s home, you will often find her near the beach with her husband. They have 5 children and a rescue dog in their blended family.
Tori Costello
Operations Manager
Tori began her career early in nonprofit. Following a school internship, she wrote her first grant two weeks after graduating from high school. Tori worked full-time while earning her Bachelors of Science from Colorado State University in Public Management with an emphasis in Human Resources and Organizational Leadership. Upon graduating, she worked several years for a large Fortune 500 company in Virginia. After moving back to her hometown in Washington state, Tori returned to the nonprofit sector, becoming an expert in working with donor databases. Tori is passionate about children and education. She enjoys listening to podcasts, reading and spending time exploring the Pacific Northwest with her husband and son.
Ray Wasike
Digital Storyteller
Ray Wasike, along with his wife S'ambrosia, co-founded Wasike Creations in Kenya in 2014. With extensive experience in digital storytelling, Ray has collaborated with African-based organizations like Water Mission Kenya, Thrive for Good, and Rehema for Kids, among others, effectively delivering their messages to partners. Dedicated to crafting compelling narratives, Ray has played a crucial role in elevating these organizations, enabling them to make a profound impact in their communities. Ray was born in Bungoma, West Kenya. His family relocated to Wichita, Kansas in 2020.
Cassidy Crider
Donor Relationship Coordinator
Cassidy is from Tri-Cities, WA, where she cherishes spending time with her loved ones. Currently, she is pursuing a Master's degree in occupational therapy at Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences in Yakima, WA. Cassidy previously obtained her Bachelor's degree in exercise science from Eastern Washington University. She worked at an occupational therapy clinic in Spokane, WA, during her undergraduate studies. The clinic's mission was centered on faith, which guided staff toward growth and patients toward an improved quality of life. Cassidy's passions lie in creating connections, learning new things, and working with the pediatric population. In her free time, she delights in the company of her dogs, horses, and family, savoring the beauty of the Pacific Northwest.
Sarah Hallen
Administrative Assistant
Born and raised in Pasco, WA, Sarah works as the Rehema for Kids Administrative Assistant. Sarah's love for our ministry runs in the family! She is our Co-Founders, Jeff and Carla Piccici's, daughter! Sarah previously worked in hospitality management. In addition to having great administrative skills, Sarah loves connecting with others and meeting new people. Along with her husband, Thomas, and their three daughters, the family is active in the local children's theater and serving at their home church. When the Hallen family is not in town, you can find them camping.
Kenyan Staff
Jeff & Carla Picicci
ISF Directors and Co-Founders
Jeff and Carla Picicci were born and raised in Pasco, Washington. The couple met during Carla's senior year of high school and they married in 1981. Before retiring, Jeff worked at The Hanford Project. Carla worked as a postal carrier before stepping away to homeschool their two children. Throughout their marriage, the couple was very active in a close-knit church in Finley, Washington. As their children became adults, Jeff and Carla felt called to mission work. In 2003, Jeff and Carla headed to Kenya thinking they would only be there for a few months but felt a strong impression to stay. In 2006, the pair realized the Lord had called them to open a children's home when several abandoned children were brought to them within one week.
Beth Ann Downer
Stepping Stones Manager
Beth Ann’s ministry has been at orphanages in Mexico, Jamaica, and Paraguay. She joined the team at In Step in 2012 working with the preschool children. Beth Ann is a career missionary with Elim Fellowship and is committed to fulfilling the call on her life of Caring For HIS Children. Beth Ann is now the project coordinator and director of Stepping Stones, our program for developmentally & physically disabled children.
Abigael Saina
In Step Nurse
Abigael attended Baraton University in Kenya, graduated with BS in Nursing. Prior to joining In Step Foundation, she worked as a deputy nurse in-charge and a nursing officer with an emphasis on pediatric medicine. Abigael enjoys travelling, spending time her family, nature walks and reading. We are grateful to have Abigael as part of the team!
Gladies Cherop
Home Manager
Gladies is our Head Social Worker and has extensive experience working with orphans and vulnerable children. Gladies holds a Diploma in Community Health and Development from the International School of Medicine and Applied Technology. She also has a certificate in basic nursing skills and home-based care. Gladies has a passion for mentoring and nurturing children with good godly values. Gladies is married and has three children.
Hemi
Director of Snacks & Wags
Hemi joined the family in 2021. Hemi spends the majority of his day patrolling the campus but can often be lured into taking a break with back scratches. He takes his brotherly duties very seriously but wishes he could spend more time in the kitchen sneaking food or supervising the cooks.
We employ over 70 local Kenyans, making us the largest employer in the area.
U.S. Board
Aric Ellison
Board Chair
Aric is a native of Kennewick, Washington. Aric is married to his high school sweetheart, Gina, and the couple have three children. In 1992, Aric started Paramount Communications, a data and communication network services provider. Aric learned about Rehema for Kids in 2007, when co-founders’ Jeff & Carla’s son began working with Aric’s business. Aric cherishes his first visit to In Step in 2017 because he worked alongside his entire family to help build the playground. In a subsequent trip, he and Gina helped build greenhouses. Aric is thankful that God has given him the opportunity to love and serve the children at In Step. Aric’s hobbies include spending time with his family, golfing and traveling.
Jeremy Gray
Board Vice-Chair
Jeremy moved from Utah to the Tri-Cities area in the 6th grade. Raised on a farm, Jeremy learn the value of hard work. Jeremy farmed for 17 years before joining the family insurance agency as an insurance agent in 2007, specializing in farm related insurance. Jeremy jokes that he tricked wife, Stacia, into accepting his marriage proposal. With three grown daughters, the couple recently welcomed their first grandchild. Jeremy enjoys spending time with family, skiing, golfing, ice hockey, basketball and helping others.
Joan Schwan
Board Secretary
Joan graduated from the University of Minnesota with an education degree. She specialized in rehabilitation therapy and worked as a therapist for 5 years at a state mental hospital in Minnesota. Joan went on to open her own dance studio and had nearly 200 students before moving to Tri-Cities in Washington state. For the next 13 years, she worked for Columbia Basin College in the Early Childhood/Parent Education department. Joan first learned of Rehema for Kids in 2012 and has been to Kenya 3 times to help the ministry in whatever capacity is needed. Joan is married to Bruce, who serves on several Rehema for Kids committees. The couple have five children and eleven grandchildren.
Val Yoder
Board Treasurer
Val graduated from the University of Idaho with a double degree in Elementary and Special Education. She and her husband Dick have a lifelong experience in business ownership. Since retiring in 2017, Val and Dick have been blessed with the ability to travel. During mission trips in Kenya, Val enjoys reading to the children, making play-dough to share with the kids, teaching life skills (like by making banana pancakes) and just sitting on the playground engaging the kids in conversation. The kids have captured Val’s heart. Val and Dick have two married children and two grandchildren.
Debbie Boffey
Board Member
Debbie Boffey has a heart for serving others. With decades of experience in youth ministry, women’s ministry, and event planning, Debbie is often invited to create and host special events, weddings, fundraisers, and other gatherings. Debbie learned of Rehema for Kids when she was asked to help with a ministry fundraiser. She quickly developed a heart for the mission and the rest is history! Debbie is a wife, mother, grandmother, homemaker, and formerly worked in construction design. Debbie and her husband, Dan, live in the Skagit Valley, Washington.
Randy Gregg
Board Member
Randy is a native of the Tri-Cities and a Washington State University grad and worked for a local electric utility for 30 years primarily in power supply roles. Since 2009 he has worked with electric utilities as a power supply consultant. He enjoys bicycling and reading. Today, Randy has 4 children and 4 granddaughters and lives in Spokane. Randy first visited In Step in Kenya in 2015 and has returned several times. On a more recent visit, Randy was part of a team from their church that helped install two greenhouses.
Daniel Traina
Board Member
Daniel was born and raised in Niagara Falls, New York. He studied accounting at Rochester Institute of Technology. For more than 25 years, Daniel owned Caribbean Forest, a saltwater fish specialty store. He currently serves as the Executive Director of the Pittsford Food Cupboard in Rochester, New York and as a Deacon at Pittsford Presbyterian Church. Daniel is passionate about serving others and has led mission trips to Kenya and various disaster relief efforts. Daniel married Debbie in 2016. Their blended family includes three sons, one daughter, and three grandchildren.
Rebecca McDonald
Board Member
Rebecca is originally from Anacortes, Washington. She worked in the Telecommunications & Information Technologies industry for 27 years at various corporations in the Seattle and Denver areas. After a brief retirement, Rebecca became a consultant. She was one of the founding members of the Rehema for Kids board. Rebecca is currently serving as a deacon with her church and provides volunteer financial mentoring for a local organization. We’re honored to have Rebecca back on the Board of Directors.
Rich Kimura
Board Member
Rich grew up in Tacoma, WA, and graduated in Chemical Engineering from Washington State University in 1982. He met his wife, Marcia, as interns on Indonesian oil tankers, where he protected her from lecherous sailors. After 39 years in the nuclear industry, Rich retired from Framatome and consulting. At 31, he began an astounding relationship with Jesus Christ and serves at Bethel Church in Richland, WA, including as soup kitchen friend, elder, mission board lead taking teams to Latin America, coach, group leader, and kid’s worship. Jeff Picicci and Rich were co-workers until he and Carla received God’s call to Kenya. The Kimuras have supported and prayed for them since Rehema’s inception but are humbled to see God’s powerful love for the kids from so many good people.
Board Members Emeritus
Ron & Joyce Panzero
Board Members Emeritus
& Co-Founders
Kendall Gentry
Board Member Emeritus
Terry Kiser
Board Member Emeritus
Cindy Riggle
Board Member Emeritus
Daniel Lipparelli
Board Member Emeritus
Ron Panzero, Jr.
Board Member Emeritus
Bob Johnson
Board Member Emeritus
Dr. Kevin Taylor
Board Member Emeritus
Rehema for Kids is a 501(c)(3) corporation, with headquarters in Richland, Washington, and is overseen by a dedicated and passionate U.S.-based Board of Directors.