Heidi Minga–Executive Director

Heidi graduated from Washington State University in 2005 with a Bachelors degree in Wildlife Ecology. She had planned to become a Marine Biologist but the job market was sparse and she couldn’t bear to sit at a desk from nine to five, five days a week. Heidi spent the next three years of her life traveling and soul searching, trying to figure out what she should do. She travelled to Alaska, Hawaii, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Australia, and New Zealand. While traveling she found that she felt most fulfilled when in the service of others, especially children, and that’s why she planned a trip to Uganda to work in an orphanage during the summer of 2008.

While in Uganda, Heidi met a little boy by the name of Paul. Paul was of Karamojong descent and lived on the streets of Jinja. Heidi and Paul formed an immediate bond, one that would change her life in ways that she couldn’t imagine. Paul taught Heidi all about the challenges that the Karamojong people face and Heidi began working with the street children in Jinja. After four short months in Africa, Heidi felt that she had finally found her calling, to serve the Karamojong and street children of Uganda and help to change the stigma attached to the Karamojong people.

Heidi returned to the states in October 2008. She followed through with her plan to move to Portland, Oregon and moved in with her good friend Ellie Coleman. Heidi and Ellie met in Silverdale, Washington while attending Olympic College. Both girls were working towards their nursing degrees and thought that since Portland had multiple nursing schools it would be an ideal place to relocate. Ellie made the move in September 2008 and Heidi followed shortly after. When Heidi returned home, Ellie could tell something was different. Heidi no longer talked about nursing school. Her heart was now anchored to the children of Uganda. Ellie didn’t know it yet, but her life plans were about to change drastically too.

 

Elinor Coleman–Chief Financial Officer

 

Ellie went on her first humanitarian trip as a delegation member of The TOUCH Project in 2002. She was only 15 years old at the time, but the trip forever changed her life. The week and a half long trip to Uzhgorod, Ukraine helped Ellie to realize that her purpose in life was to serve others. As previously stated, Ellie spent several years working towards a nursing degree. While in school Ellie volunteered with Genesis Diez, A.C. in Ensenada, Mexico on their orphanage project and with Unite for Sight in Ghana, Africa assisting the vision impaired. She felt most fulfilled while serving abroad, in particular during her time in Africa. Ellie fell in love with the African people and culture, she felt like she had found her home and the place that most needed her.

Heidi and Ellie came up with a plan, a plan that would change their lives and more importantly the lives of others forever. They founded the non-profit organization Peace for Paul and dedicated their lives to changing the lives of the Karamojong people and children living on the streets of Uganda. As citizens of The United States of America who live lives that are so privileged, Heidi and Ellie felt compelled to serve those who are less privileged. Their ultimate goal is to give those with no hope, hope and those without a chance, a chance. Their dream isn’t impossible, and these girls will never give up. They have committed themselves to these children and have already found hundreds of people to support them in their cause. If you happen to be one of those people, thank you. Peace for Paul is already becoming a success.

Prima Kemigisha-Ugandan Outreach Coordinator

Prima is from Western Uganda and comes from a family of 5 children. She is lucky enough to still have both parents and loves her family very much. Prima holds a Bachelors degree in Human Resources Management from Makarere University and also has just recently completed a post graduate diploma in Human Resources Management.  Prima is a hard working woman and is very proud to be a part of the Peace for Paul Foundation. She loves all of our children and they love her.  Prima lives in the home with our children and takes very good care of them every day. We are exceptionally proud to have Prima on our team! 

 

Emmanuel Mufumba—Health Director

Doctor Emmanuel Mufumba was born on the 13th December 1968. Doctor Mufumba was formerly a registered mental health nurse who upgraded to psychiatrist clinical officer (a mental health specialist).  Emmanuel has been trained from within Uganda and in Umbria, Italy (1999) and Nairobi, Kenya (2003, 2007). He coordinates all of the community mental health activities in Jinja District with a total work experience of 17 years.  Doctor Mufumba is also the director of Mufumba Medical Center and is the international trainer of the ‘Reason to Hope Family Training Program’.  As there is a serious shortage of qualified health workers in rural Uganda, he has also become involved in training young people to become Community Health workers.  Doctor Mufumba is also the Peace for Paul health coordinator, but he does so much more. In addition to treating all of our children (5 for free), he advises us and our Ugandan coordinators on proper health practices. Doctor Mufumba has also been kind enought to take in our smallest child, Longoli and cares for her as if she were his own child. He also helps us with administrative and legal issues from within Uganda and has made it possible for us to be where we are legally witihin Uganda.  Doctor Mufumba wishes to thank all of the people who support Peace for Paul and who make a better life possible for the vulnerable children of Uganda.

  Tomasz Kaltur–Construction Project Manager

 

 Tomasz graduated from Washington State University in 2006 with a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management and a Bachelor of Arts in Business Management.  He is currently working for a large northwest general contracting firm as a field engineer and enjoys the challenge of his job.  He began volunteering his time with Peace for Paul in early 2009 and is managing the design of Hope Home and Mirembe Cottages.  At a later date he will be managing the construction of the project from the USA and hopes to travel to Uganda to manage it on site.  Through his work for Peace for Paul he has convinced Heidi to marry him; they will be married mid-February 2010 and having their first child in late August 2010.  He will undoubtedly build many Peace for Paul homes in the future.

 Lisa McIntosh–Director of Charity

 

Lisa graduated from the University of Regina in Canada in 1988 with a Bachelor or Arts degree in Journalism and Communications.  After brief stints as a newspaper reporter,  communications consultant and public relations specialist, Lisa went on to a successful career in real estate.  While Lisa still holds her real estate license, she is not currently practicing, but enjoying spending her summers at the lake and her winters in Maui with her family.  Lisa has a special place in her heart for the children of Africa after a couple of visits there and truly loves the work Peace for Paul is doing in Uganda.

Robert McConnel–Treasurer

 Rob attended Washington State University where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in History.  He currently works in a variety of fields including sales, marketing, franchising, and primarily accounting.  While working he is pursuing an MBA with a concentration in Accountancy.  Upon completion of this program he intends on taking the CPA exam.  Rob’s accounting firm is proud to donate their time and work to the Peace for Paul Foundation.  On a personal note, he’s married to the most wonderful woman on earth and expecting his third child in February 2010.  He has many hobbies including surfing, spear fishing, downhill skateboarding, and various forms of grappling.

Lisa Leach–Educational Advocate/Grantwriter

 Lisa earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah in 1985. She has been teaching for 25 years while raising her four children. She is passionate about education and wants to make it accessible to all children, especially those with fewer advantages. Lisa is a life-long learner herself as she takes classes in music, genealogy, writing, Spanish, Kiswahili, and is a singing performer, songwriter, and will soon publish her first book. She will celebrate her 25th wedding anniversary with Greg Leach in August, 2010.