About Sahara

Dr Sarah Maingey Hillman

Sarah Maingey Hillman, affectionately known as Mama Sarah, is a dedicated mother, founder, philanthropist and social entrepreneur whose work has touched communities across the United Kingdom and Kenya. She is the founder of Inua Ubuntu, Mama Sarah Feed Me and Yeyani Resort in Athi River, Kenya. She has built her life’s work around service, community development, dignity, food, education and practical support for vulnerable families.

Inua Ubuntu is a registered charity in the United Kingdom and a registered NGO in Kenya. Its work focuses on poverty alleviation, education, youth empowerment, community support, disability inclusion, feeding initiatives and long-term upliftment for families who need practical help and hope. Through this wider mission, Sarah continues to pursue her dream of kicking poverty out of her communities.

Sarah’s philanthropic journey has supported more than 250,000 individuals through charity work, school support, food assistance, community outreach and direct family support. She has been a strong advocate for disabled individuals, helping to provide wheelchairs, support with school fees and access to dignity-based care. Her work has also included supporting girls in schools across Machakos County with sanitary towels, helping them stay in education and maintain dignity during their menstrual cycle.
Her commitment to children and families has been long-standing. In 2003, Sarah established a children’s home in Kitui, Kenya. In 2010, she launched the Kibera Projects, which included building a church and school that continues to provide education for over 100 children while also supporting families facing hardship. These initiatives reflect her belief that lasting change begins when communities are strengthened from within.

Sarah has also made history in public service. In 2005, she became the first Kenyan woman and first Black councillor to be elected in Frome, Somerset, in the United Kingdom. Her leadership has always been rooted in service, representation and the belief that ordinary people can make extraordinary change when they are given opportunity and support.
Alongside her charitable work, Sarah is widely recognised for her food, hospitality and entrepreneurial achievements. She won the Best Food title at Glastonbury Festival for three consecutive years and received the prestigious ‘Remember Africa Award’ in London in 2007. She was also selected to appear on Channel 4’s Come Dine with Me, where she emerged as a winner and gave her winnings back into her charity work. This later led to her participation in Champion of Champions, a special televised competition featuring past winners across a 20-episode format.
Sarah’s food legacy continues through Mama Sarah Feed Me, her flagship product brand created to celebrate authentic flavours while giving back to the community. The product range includes Mama Sarah Feed Me Curry Paste, Mama Sarah Feed Me Chilli Paste and Mama Sarah Feed Me Chilli Sauce. Through this brand, Sarah combines enterprise with impact, using food as a bridge between culture, income generation and charitable giving.

Yeyani Resort in Athi River, Kenya, also forms part of Sarah’s wider ecosystem of hospitality, community development and opportunity creation. The resort represents her commitment to building spaces that can serve families, visitors, communities and future development projects while contributing to local employment and social impact.
Through every part of her work, Sarah continues to make a significant impact on the lives of many. Her story is one of resilience, faith, service, entrepreneurship and legacy. Her vision is clear: to create practical pathways that help children, families and communities move from poverty into dignity, stability and opportunity.