Fundamentally, people determine the success or failure of any organisation. Given its extremely limited resources, this is especially true for Gatoto. The high demand for jobs in Kenya allows the school to find top-quality staff, even though it cannot afford to pay high salaries. The staff are extremely dedicated to the success of Gatoto, as it provides their livelihood as well as creating an opportunity for the children in the community. The community itself helps manage and financially support the school.
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| There are currently 23 staff members and 7 support staff, including guards cooks (see food program), and a Social Worker. Great attention is paid when selecting new staff members to ensure their commitment to education and the principles of the school. The majority of the teachers are certified at a "P1" level or higher, and some have over 10 years experience. Their dedication is a major reason for both the academic and co-curricular success of Gatoto. The staff are proud of what the school has accomplished in the past and are confident in its potential for the future. In fact, many volunteer their free time to participate in activities to sustain Gatoto, such as helping to create grant proposals or running fundraising events.
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| The school is run by the Head and Deputy Head teachers, Betty Nyagoha and Joseph Aloo. Joseph was hired in 1997, while Betty has been with the project since the start. Both are heavily involved with the long-term vision and development of the school, as well as fundraising.
When Betty was a little girl, she used to "admire and envy her teachers" and always dreamt of working at a school. In 1989, she got a job teaching Home Science in the Rift Valley Province. In 1993, she moved to Mukuru in Nairobi and started a business selling beans. In 1994, her business was doing well, making $200/month, when she decided to apply for the Head Teacher position at a newly formed school. Although the position only paid $10/month, Betty decided to take it (and a huge pay cut) because she "wanted to see the children have a future." Since the project began, she has dedicated all of her time and energy to Gatoto, generally working 10-12 hour days, 6-7 days a week. She is a major reason for the survival and success of the school.
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