WHO WE ARE
The Outback Program is Kenyan-led, founded by naturalist Peter Liech and his daughter Kathy, with support from Linc and Susan Eldredge and their daughter Emily.
PETER LIECH
Founder and Executive Director
Peter is a Naturalist, Photographer, and a Gold-rated safari guide by the Kenya Professional Safari Guides Association (KPSGA). He has spent over 20 years exploring East Africa as a guide, and is recognized for leading highly personalized trips into the most remote and wildlife-rich areas.
In November 2019, he launched his book African Treasure – co-authored with Dr. Lawrence J. Broutman in Chicago, and has since been invited for speaking engagements this June 2020 at the Portland Oregon Zoo, Columbus Zoo in Ohio, and Desert Botanical gardens in Phoenix Arizona. Peter is a member of Nature Kenya and Kenya Museum society, and won the society’s top volunteer award – a cast of “Homo erectus” skull dating back to 1.5 million years in the year 2000.
The Christian Children’s Fund (now Child Fund) assisted Peter as a beneficiary through his high school years. In 2003, he founded Nyashep Education Trust to make it possible for many bright children from poor backgrounds to access and acquire quality high school and college education. He and his daughter Kathy created the Outback Program to help Nyashep students increase their well-being, confidence, and resilience.
KATHY LIECH
Program Coordinator
Kathy graduated from the Holderness School in NH and Hobart and William Smith Colleges in NY with a degree in Psychology. When she returned to Kenya after her studies in the United States, she found that many Nyashep students were struggling with their mental health during and after they received their educations. Inspired by her experiences during the Out Back Program at Holderness, she and her father Peter combined their respective passions for mental health and nature to create The Outback Program to empower Kenyan students to overcome their inner challenges and grow more hopeful, connected, and resilient into the future.
STANLEY KARIITHI
Program Supporter
A safari guide with over 25 years of experience, Stanley earned the coveted Silver certification by the Kenya Professional Guides Association.
A gifted storyteller, his enchanting charisma keeps the students motivated, involved, entertained, and united. He sings and plays the guitar, too - serenading them with traditional Swahili songs. Stanley is also a certified First Aider.
LINC ELDREDGE
Non-Profit Executive Search Consultant
Mr. Eldredge founded Brigham Hill Consultancy after several years of specializing in not-for-profit searches. In addition to his professional involvement with schools, foundations, volunteer associations and other such organizations, his present and former affiliations include sitting on the boards of The Hockaday School, The Southwest Museum of Science and Technology, the Chewonki Foundation, the Center for Nonprofit Management, and the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Dallas. He was also a member of the Committee on Trustees of Dartmouth College.
SUSAN ELDREDGE, LCSW
Psychotherapist + Licensed Clinical Social Worker
A Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 25 years of experience, Susan has worked extensively with individuals, couples, teens, and children. Susan received her Masters in Social Work from the University of Texas, Dallas and is certified in multiple therapeutic modalities, including Mindfulness, Attachment Theory, and Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI), which treats children who have suffered trauma, abuse, neglect or other adverse conditions early in life.
EMILY ELDREDGE
Emotional Health Innovator + Educator
Emily is the creator of The ChangeLight System™ - a complete system of self-development that heals inner struggles, reveals inner strengths, and accelerates one's power to light up and live their Truth. Her signature technique, The Drawing Out Process®, can quickly and fully heal life-long blocks, triggers, wounds, and other subconscious struggles in just 2-3 hours.
Emily has shared her work at venues around the globe including the very first TEDx in a prison, British Parliament, and the United Nations.
HISTORY
(Coming Soon!)