A Full Circle Moment

In 2015, Anne Jarvis traveled from Austin to Uganda on a Vision Trip that would change the course of one young man’s life–and ultimately, the lives of countless others.

While trekking with the gorillas, Anne met Joe Justus, a porter working in the gorilla tourism industry. In the quiet moments hiking through the Impenetrable Forest, she learned about his extraordinary talent and passion for art. Anne saw something special in Joe and believed in his potential. Determined to help him pursue his dreams, she supported his education in art school, ensuring he had the opportunity to develop his gifts and build a brighter future.

More than a decade later, that investment has come full circle.

Anne recently visited Dell Children’s Medical Center in Austin and found herself standing before a vibrant mural displayed in the Children’s Blood and Cancer Center, alongside artwork created by none other than Joe. The mural was created as an homage to Joe’s artwork and the beauty and wonder found in the remote village of Bwindi.

This remarkable connection was made possible through the vision of Clarke Heidrick. After traveling to Bwindi and meeting Joe, Clarke was deeply inspired by both his talent and his story. He dreamed of creating a connection between children in Uganda and children in Austin facing the unimaginable diagnosis of cancer. Working alongside local artist Rowan Youngs and the Dell Children’s Foundation team, Clarke helped bring that vision to life through an interactive, Ugandan-inspired mural influenced by Joe’s artistic style and spirit. The mural now shines brightly within the clinic, offering moments of joy, wonder, and healing to young patients and their families.

Today, Joe is a thriving artist in the village of Buhoma. His art gallery and creative center, BuhomArt, has become a beacon of hope and opportunity in the community. Through art camps and classes, he encourages children to explore their creativity and share their own stories through art.

“It is so amazing to see how these two parts of the world could collaborate together to produce healing art,” Anne reflects.

We are deeply grateful to Clarke Heidrick, the Shivers Cancer Foundation, and Dell Children’s Medical Center for helping make this beautiful partnership possible. Their commitment reflects the very heart of the Kamukama Foundation’s mission: connecting communities near and far and creating opportunities for children to flourish.