Our Story

In 2011, a Texas couple walking through Bwindi met Kamukama Jr., a young boy searching for his father. The boy could not attend school because his father had abandoned his family and his mother could not afford tuition. In Uganda, a country without a public education system, students who cannot pay tuition cannot attend school.

The couple arranged for the young boy’s school fees to be paid, and after returning home, were struck by a question: How many more children were there like Kamukama Jr. who did not have access to quality education? In that moment, the idea for the Kamukama Foundation was born.

In 2023, Kamukama graduated from the Taibah International School, where he was awarded the Sportsmanship medal for his contribution to the soccer team. He is pursuing a degree in Social Work and Social Administration at the Nyamitanga College of Business Studies.

Robert Bwiire leads the Foundation’s social and emotional wellbeing programs, including the sponsorship program. He serves as the primary liaison between the Foundation and the Bwindi community, helping to facilitate the initiatives that support students and parents. Robert is passionate about fostering emotional resilience and serving as a mentor and resource to students sponsored by the Kamukama Foundation. Before joining the team, Robert led teams of social workers at the American Red Cross.

Joshua Manzi leads the Foundation’s Project Harvest initiative to improve agricultural innovation and farming solutions for our students and their families. Joshua brings a wealth of expertise in agronomy, farm engineering, agro-extension, fisheries, dairy, and livestock management. He also leads training for Project Harvest participants, helping them transition from traditional to modernized agricultural practices. Born and raised in Buhoma, Joshua earned a Diploma in Applicable Agriculture & Animal Sciences from Kefar Agro Training Centre in Israel, after receiving a prestigious scholarship from the Government of Uganda.

Vincent Omedo is the educational program lead for Ebenezer Nursery & Primary School, the Kamukama Foundation’s cornerstone school partner. In this role, he leads curriculum development, oversees enrichment programs like clubs and scouting, and manages teacher training programs. Before joining the Kamukama Foundation, Vincent served in various educational leadership roles over the past 28 years. Beyond administrative and teaching roles, Vincent is also an accomplished author and has developed a series of primary course books in Mathematics, Science, and Agriculture.

Phoebe serves as a social worker for the Kamukama Foundation, leading the Project Prosper initiative and supporting Project Harvest. She has a background in business development, accounting, and finance and served as a bank agent & accountant before joining the team. She holds a Certificate and a Diploma in Business Studies from the Uganda College of Commerce.

Dianah serves as a social worker for the Kamukama Foundation, primarily supporting social and emotional wellbeing initiatives. In this role, she plans and coordinates parent training and educational initiatives. Prior to joining the Kamukama Foundation, Dianah worked under Compassion International and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Development Studies from the Uganda Christian University. Dianah is also a Sunday school teacher in her community.

Phionah is an Assistant Project Coordinator for the Kamukama Foundation, focused on healthcare initiatives. She specializes in pediatric care, malnutrition management, and chronic disease treatment. Before joining the Kamukama Foundation, she worked at the Bwindi Community Hospital and received a Diploma in Nursing from the Uganda Nursing School Bwindi.

Shaela McCarley has been an important part of the Kamukama Foundation since joining the team as Operations Manager in 2015. Shaela is the lead US-based coordinator on all Foundation programs. She manages outreach and fundraising efforts and is a critical part of our work to connect donors and sponsors with school communities in Uganda.

Elizabeth Howden has served as the Communications Manager for the Kamukama Foundation since 2016. In this role, Elizabeth supports the development of sponsor outreach materials and marketing collateral.

Board of Directors

Carol Burdette

Milo Burdette

Ann Carter

Cynthia Collins

Bob Kay

Susan Kay

Linda Knoll

Jeanne Little

Lew Little

Sharon Purcell