About us
We are dedicated to the socio-economic transformation of communities in the southern sector of the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and other underserved areas in Uganda. Our foundation was created by a group of passionate individuals who shared a common vision for positive change. Our primary objective is to address the root causes of social issues affecting the local population and support children at risk of experiencing a compromised future due to prevailing circumstances.
VISIon Statement
To create a world where every child in rural and impoverished areas of Uganda has access to quality education and the opportunity to reach their full potential.
mission statement
The mission of Bwindi Hope Foundation is to empower children in rural impoverished areas of Uganda by providing them with access to quality education, mentorship, and community support. We believe that every child deserves the opportunity to succeed and reach their full potential, regardless of their background or circumstances. Through our programs, we aim to inspire and equip children with the skills and knowledge they need to become confident, capable, and successful individuals.
Our Work
We empower vulnerable children by providing holistic support services to meet their needs. Our programs include:
-
Educational Support: Covering school fees, uniforms, and supplies.
-
Healthcare Services: Providing medical check-ups and access to medication.
-
Nutrition: Ensuring children have access to proper nutrition.
-
Empowerment and Skill Development: Offering resources and training for a brighter future.
Goals and Objectives
-
Volunteer and Donor Engagement: Attracting volunteers, donors, sponsors, and partners who are passionate about helping children achieve their hopes, dreams, and full potential.
-
Community Transformation: Supporting children and their families in need.
-
Safe Living Environments: Establishing and maintaining safe and nurturing living environments for orphans and vulnerable children.
-
Educational Support: Establishing and supporting schools, vocational training centers, and educational programs.
-
Advocacy: Advocating for the rights and protection of vulnerable children and marginalized groups.
Our Core Values
-
Compassion and Empathy
-
Commitment to Equity and Inclusion
-
Respect for Human Dignity
-
Sustainability and Long-term Impact
-
Collaboration and Partnerships
-
Transparency and Accountability
Why We Do This
We are driven by our passion for children, our personal experiences, and our Christian faith. When we are not volunteering, we are blessed to serve in various roles within our community. We listen to the hopes and dreams of the children we serve, and we are committed to helping them realize their potential.
Meet the team
Vincent KUhEkA
Founder and Executive Director
Vincent is a passionate and dedicated individual who has devoted his time and talents to make a significant impact in the lives of underprivileged children and their families in remote, underserved areas of Uganda where resources are scarce. As Founder and Executive Director of the Bwindi Hope Foundation, he has been instrumental in providing hope, support, and essential services to those who need it most. Vincent’s journey of becoming founder and executive director of the Bwindi Hope Foundation began as he gained first-hand experience through his professional career as a paramedical worker. He has eight years of experience caring for some of the sickest children and adults who have sought medical treatment. He has worked in various healthcare settings, providing the most essential medical services to those urgently in need of his help Through his work, Vincent became passionate to help the community further, after identifying a seemingly impossible number of challenges faced by children belonging to low or no income families in remote areas of Uganda. He saw the lack of access to basic necessities like food, water, shelter, education, sanitation, and access to affordable healthcare. He felt called by God to take action and has worked hard to make connections with other likeminded and kind hearted souls from all walks of life around the world. These individuals have come together to strengthen the organization's mission. Since the foundation of the Bwindi Hope Foundation in 2022, food, water, shelter, and education are currently provided to more than 120 of children with a goal of reaching 100 new families yearly. Vincent is proud to see that the organization’s mission empowers these underserved children of Bwindi to reach their full potential through consistent encouragement that their needs and their lives matter and will be cared for. Through education, mentorship, and community support, Vincent envisions a future where every child will have access to the basic necessities for a healthy and fulfilling life, and for a better world. Despite his numerous accomplishments, Vincent remains humble and focused on his mission. He continues to work tirelessly to reach out to others for help to ensure that every child in his program has access to the basic necessities for a healthy and fulfilling life, even as it often means putting others first, or personally helping high risk families. Through his leadership and dedication, He will continue to inspire others to join the cause and make a difference in the lives of these special and deserving children in Uganda. In conclusion, Vincent is a remarkable, passionate individual who has made a significant impact in his community, and in the lives of many orphans and vulnerable families, deep in the heart of Uganda. His dedication, vision, and leadership have earned him the admiration of many, as a beacon of hope for Bwindi, the Glow Community School, and any family in their most vulnerable time of need.
Stephen Mukiza
General Secretary
Stephen, a visionary civil engineer and General Secretary of Bwindi Hope Foundation, harnesses his expertise and leadership prowess to empower rural Ugandan communities, breaking cycles of poverty and fostering transformative opportunities for a brighter future. Drawing from his personal journey of overcoming limited access to quality education, healthcare, and housing, Stephen passionately advocates for marginalized communities. By synergizing his skills, knowledge, and heartfelt commitment, he revolutionizes infrastructure, constructing wells and houses, and remains receptive to innovative solutions aligned with the foundation's mission to uplift the less privileged in rural Uganda. Additionally, Stephen's entrepreneurial flair enables him to effectively champion the organization's cause and undertake hands-on engineering tasks with versatility, bridging local and international landscapes.
Phionah Uwimana
Assistant Director
Phionah is a dedicated primary school teacher with a passion for nurturing and guiding her students. With her caring and compassionate nature, she has built a reputation as an exceptional educator who goes above and beyond to support the growth and development of her students. Phiona’s commitment to her profession has earned her the respect and admiration of her colleagues and students alike. In addition to her work as a teacher, Phionah has also made a significant impact in her community through her role as the assistant director of the Bwindi Hope Foundation. This organization is dedicated to improving the lives of individuals in the surrounding communities through education, healthcare, and other essential services. Phiona’s kindness and compassion have made her an invaluable asset to both her school and the Bwindi Hope Foundation. Her ability to connect with and inspire others has earned her a reputation as a leader and a role model in her community. Through her tireless work and unwavering dedication, Phionah continues to make a positive difference in the lives of those around her.
Bruno Oworinawe
Financial Manager
Bruno is a certified hotel management and institutional catering expert, serving as a financial controller of Bwindi Hope Foundation. His focused at bringing hope to the homeless. Professionally, Bruno emphasizes the importance of food and nutrition, backed by a balanced diet. A study by Bwindi Hope Foundation revealed that most rural Ugandan families eat only once daily. Transforming his skills, Bruno brings change, believing a healthy mind stems from proper feeding. He has managed to gather and supply food to community families and remains committed to ensuring proper feeding, welcoming collaborations to sustain life.
LOUIS Emanzi
Chef
Louis has a passion for cooking, music, and gardening. As a chef, he has honed his culinary skills and has a deep appreciation for the art of cooking. His love for music is evident in the way he approaches his work and his interactions with others. He believes that music is a powerful tool for bringing people together and creating positive change in the world. Louis is also a dedicated gardener. He believes that gardening is a way to connect with nature and to grow one’s own food. He is the proprietor of Zion Rock Gardens, a local partner for the Bwindi Hope Foundation. Louis’s work with the Bwindi Hope Foundation is particularly meaningful to him. He believes that by working together with the local community, they can create a better future for everyone. He is committed to using his skills and resources to make a positive impact on the world around him. Louis Emanzi is a talented chef, a passionate musician, and a dedicated gardener. He is a true advocate for positive change and is committed to making a difference in the world.
Joan Maderi
Chairperson
Joan, is a fashion designer and garment cutting specialist and a chairperson at the Board of Directors at Bwindi Hope Foundation. As a devoted mother, she treats every child with equal care and compassion. Through strategic meetings, Joan has spearheaded community transformation initiatives, leveraging the organization's charitable expertise to make a meaningful impact. Her design expertise has been shared to provide essential clothing and skills training for disadvantaged youth, enabling them to excel academically and professionally. Joan extends an invitation to like-minded individuals to partner with Bwindi Hope Foundation, joining forces to create lasting change and address the significant resource needs that underpin this vital work.
Silas Byamukama
Pastor and Director of Glow Community School
Silas is a dedicated and experienced educator leader, pastor, and director at Glow Community School, an initiative of Bwindi Hope Foundation. He has made a significant impact on his community through his work at the school and his leadership in the children’s ministry. Silas has always had a passion for education and helping others. He pursued a degree in apprenticeship and biblical studies and he has a career in education for more than 20 years. He uses his professional to lead Glow Community School, where he quickly became known for his innovative teaching methods and his ability to connect with students. In addition to his work at the school, Silas also serves as a local leader and pastor, using his faith and spiritual guidance to support and uplift the members of his community. He is known for his compassionate and caring nature, and is respected by all who know him for his tireless work and dedication to making a positive difference in the lives of those around him. Through his work at Glow Community School and his leadership in the children’s ministry, Silas has made a lasting impact on the lives of countless individuals, inspiring them to reach their full potential and to use their talents and abilities to make a positive difference in the world.
Annelie FaGERLUND
Swedish Ambassador
Annelie is a nurse and has worked for more than 25 years in care both with children and adults with special needs as well as in elderly care and I have done so much more during my life. I have always had a passion for helping other people and I have met so many people with such great needs of support in life. I react strongly to seeing how children live in several poor countries, have a hard time seeing children get hurt and if I could, I would take them all in my arms. As an ambassador for the Bwindi Hope Foundation, I can help create a positive development for the vulnerable children. Creating contacts with others who are passionate about the most vulnerable in the world is so important, I see it as us helping to create a better world for the most vulnerable, namely the children. Together we can change the world, love, care and cooperation are the keys to change. My dream is to be able to create a brighter world that gives hope and a belief in the future for the most vulnerable.
Deborah Hutton
USA Ambassador
Deborah’s journey has evolved from a 40-year career with Moët Hennessy to becoming a Master Gardener and passionate advocate for environmental stewardship. Her extensive experience in the wine & spirits industry spanned Trade Marketing, Education, Sales, and National Accounts, where she earned the title of Global Supplier of the Year from the hotel company Marriott International. As Senior Vice President at Strategic Group, Deborah led a team of 200 Managers, Ambassadors, and Specialists. She has also been a wine consultant, columnist, lecturer, and panelist, and has held leadership roles in organizations such as Women for WineSense, the Guild of Sommeliers, Les Dames d’Escoffier, and The Sommelier Society of America. Deborah currently serves as Vice President of the Mountain Laurel Garden Club, a Federated Garden Club in the US. She holds certifications from the American Hospitality & Lodging Association, the Court of Master Sommeliers, Wine & Spirits Education Trust (WSET), and the Society of Wine Educators. During a trek into the Impenetrable Forest to observe wild gorillas with Bruno Oworinawe, Deborah witnessed the beauty and generosity of the local people, who devote themselves to caring for the children of Bwindi. This experience inspired her to become a US Ambassador for Bwindi Angels of Hope. Now, she channels her passion for nature into designing sustainable landscapes and protecting the environment, merging her love for the natural world with her professional expertise.
Jenny latzka
Austrian Ambassador
Jenny is a kind-hearted girl from Austria, our pioneer volunteer who paved the way for more passionate individuals who want to put their hearts to Bwindi Hope Foundation. She devoted her time and soul to transform the lives of unfortunate children and families in the village of Rubuguri by teaching English and engaging them with arts and sports activities. Seeing the lack of water facilities, she made it her project to transcend the ongoing situation. Families have to walk up to 6 km with 20 liter jerry cans to fetch water from either a spring or a river, making them busy throughout the day to supply water for their homes. So Jenny decided to start a fundraising campaign to build fresh water wells - and thanks to her engagement we managed to build two wells, enabling the community to access fresh water in the village.
Gerritt erasmus
South African Ambassador and New Business Development
Gerritt is passionate about a people-driven approach to fostering growth and character development wherever young minds seek solace. With experience gained in several African countries, he creates and implements growth initiatives that incorporate local cultures into village programs where children of all ages are cared for. He thrives at the grassroots level, addressing the needs of individuals and initiatives while strengthening relationships between children and volunteers for lasting impact. His familiarity with and respect for local customs have helped him build a network where backpackers and volunteers can offer their services and support funding for children’s homes, especially in remote areas. Specializing in a few agricultural practices, Gerritt focuses on tailoring solutions for villages, initiatives, or institutions to meet their needs for self-sufficiency, benefiting both children and staff.
JOANNA adamczyk
New School Designer
Joanna’s architectural journey began and flourished in London. She is a versatile designer, researcher, and collaborator at KUKU-KIZA LTD in Kampala, Uganda, where she plays a vital role in shaping unique design narratives and creating immersive architectural experiences. She also leads the design team for the Bwindi Foundation’s school project in Uganda, while working as an Architectural Assistant at SHW, focusing on school designs, including primary, secondary, and special needs education. Her passion for continuous learning has driven her to actively participate in and organise a wide range of art and architecture workshops both locally and internationally. Through these efforts, Joanna has cultivated a deep enthusiasm for sharing knowledge, and contributing meaningfully to the architectural community's growth. Previously, Joanna managed the construction team for The Hide in Tolworth and was part of the team that built the Jamestown Pavilion at the Venice Biennale. She has also participated in design competitions, including winning one for a project along the Hogsmill River in Tolworth, which involved creating a space for dogs. With a background in fashion design, Joanna effortlessly integrates artistic expression with architectural innovation. Beyond her architectural work, she is passionate about photography and craftsmanship, exploring sustainable materials and natural building techniques. Joanna’s dedication to experimental design is evident across her projects, whether creating small, detailed objects or overseeing large-scale developments. She thrives on collaborating with partners who share her desire to push beyond conventional boundaries and elevate design standards. For her, architecture is about creating spaces that leave a lasting, meaningful impact on people’s lives and experiences. Joanna envisions a future where like-minded individuals come together to promote sustainable, purposeful architecture for future generations. As a passionate and dedicated architect, she is deeply committed to functionality, minimalism, and the belief that architecture has the power to foster positive change. In her free time, she helps build communities and designs schools in underserved areas, driven not by financial gain, but by the joy of making a difference in people’s lives.