Help us change a life and give a child hope.
BWINDI COMMUNITY PROGRAM was founded as a 501(c)(3) by Jim and Jan Tanis of Sedona, Arizona. Following a trip to Bwindi, they felt the overwhelming need to do something for the children. By founding BCP, they aim to give hope to vulnerable children and let them know that someone cares about them and their education.
AKANKWASAH BARIREGA, our Ugandan Board Member, is a Natural Resources Management PhD candidate and has qualifications in law among others. He is a visiting lecturer at Makerere University Kampala in the Department of Wildlife and Animal Resources Management. He is also a member of the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, where he works on matters of Wildlife Policy and related International Treaties. Born in a small remote village adjacent to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, he realized when he was very young that his only hope for a bright future was education. He has known Ignatius Byamugisha, the Executive Director of Watoto from childhood and is committed to helping the children of Bwindi.
LORNA GLADSTONE After visiting Bwindi in 2003, Lorna returned to the states committed to developing a sponsorship program for children and has worked with Ignatius as the primary US contact for sponsorships ever since. In 2011, she brought her expertise and her sponsors to BCP and has now joined the Board.
EVELYNE HABASA Running a sponsorship program and developing other programs in a remote village in Uganda is not an easy thing. The Executive Director, Ignatius Byamugisha's responsibilities are many and demanding. In spring, 2011, BCP brought on Evelyne Habasa as a part-time employee in the village to work with Ignatius to help provide information and photos for sponsors and, over time, to become more and more involved with the children sponsored through BCP.
BOARD MEMBERS
President JAMES I. TANIS |
PhD Geophysics, retired oil exploration geophysicist, ConocoPhilips worldwide (21 years) and Shell Oil (8 years). |
Vice President CLINTON GELOTTE |
BS Computer Science, MA Management, former owner Solenta Software LLC (10 years) former manager Lockheed Martin (18 years) |
Treasurer JAN TANIS |
Retired Controller, First Martin Corporation, commercial real estate development and management (20 years) |
Secretary LOUISE GELOTTE |
BS and MS in Music Education, Retired teacher in Manhasset, Long Island, NY (24 years) |
AKANKWASAH BARIREGA |
Bsc. WHM (Hons), MSc.ENR, Dip Law, PhD candidate (Faculty member of the Department of Wildlife, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda) |
LORNA GLADSTONE |
Ph.D University of Chicago 1981, Operations and Programming/Major Market Talk/Sports Radio (20 years), Radio Consultant and Internet Coaching |
HASS MAXSON |
CPA, former owner Maxson Financial of Sedona, AZ, former teacher at a business college in Tucson, AZ and licensed private pilot. |
If you would prefer to speak to us directly about donation options, please feel free to call us:
Jim & Jan Tanis at 928-204-1135 or Lorna Gladstone at 312-316-7386
or leave us a message via the Contact page
