David Wangaka is passionate about understanding and alleviating social injustices, advocating for the vulnerable, and eradicating extreme poverty. His story is a beautiful picture of full-circle redemption: this man who has dedicated his life for at-risk children was once an at-risk child himself.
Raised in the shadow of Mt. Kilimanjaro in Kenya, David knows all too well the challenges of extreme poverty, the volatility of an alcoholic father, and the grief of losing his mother at a young age. When he was sponsored into Compassion’s child development program at ten years old, the healthcare, education, and nutrition he received changed his life significantly. After high school, David was invited to participate in Compassion’s leadership development program. This made it possible for him to pursue a college education, graduating from the University of Nairobi with a double major in Political Science and Sociology. He holds an MBA degree form LSUS.
A charismatic and engaging communicator, David is a sought-after speaker in the areas of international development, social justice, and sustainable poverty alleviation. He shares from his own experiences about the impact of poverty, the transformative value of hope, and how to trust God through difficult times.
David works at Compassion International as a Sponsor and Donor Relations Supervisor. He lives in Porterville, CA, with his wife Chandell and their 3 sons, Shalom, Amani and David Jr.