Brian Wolf,
Canadian Liaison
Priscilla Bartleman
CEO
So how did we get connected? Priscilla was a student who went to Masaka, Uganda in April 2012. She became friends with Julius and they worked upon a shared idea. From there they talked about concerns around support services for children without homes and who don't attend school. She mentioned a project she wanted to start and the guys supported the idea. They are a team of two Canadians and two Ugandans working towards a safe environment for children needing support service.
Who are we.... BOARD of DIRECTORS
Priscilla Bartleman, a local Aboriginal photographer and humanitarian activist. In Vancouver Canada her passion is working on issues including but not limited to: Aboriginal rights, LBGTQ rights, food security, and domestic violence.
She works for Helping Spirit Lodge Society as a Lifeskills Facilitator and is slowly working towards finishing her BA in Psychology. In 2012 Douglas College selected to do her practicum for concurrent disorders (mental health and addictions) in Masaka Uganda.
In Uganda she worked with the traditional healers and birth attendants of the Bugandan people. The focus of her research was on the differences and similarities between the Bugandan practices and those of her own band, the Tsartlip First Nation people of West Coast British Columbia.
She also volunteered at a local project school and stayed in a compound in Nyendo Masaka. It was then that she came up with a project she really wanted to start. It was out of concern for the safety of the street children in the night.
Brian Wolf grew up in Edmonton, Alberta until he was 10 and then moved to Victoria BC. This is where he met Priscilla and they married 8 years ago. Currently Brian is a student in History and Political Science. He is working towards becoming a history professor.
When Priscilla talked passionately about going back to Uganda and starting this project he saw her motivation and encouraged her to follow her heart. Brian stongly believes in advancing the education opportunites of children.
Brian has many years experience working with children and has volunteered in many causes which are geared towards the advancement of the daily lives of those who are marginalized.
He thinks that this project is a great idea because he believes that every child should have a safe place to live and a chance at education.
Daphine was born in Nakayiba, Masaka. She is a second year student at Ndegeya Primary Teaching College. Her teaching subjects include Luganda and English.
Daphine’s role as Secretary is to communicate the agenda, keep account of board members attendance and keep accurate minutes of the board meetings. She will also be communicating to other students at Ndegeya College about the project in hopes to assist them with outreach once they enter the field.
Julius Lule was born in Nakayiba, Nyendo, Masaka, Uganda. After his father passed away he began working to help out his mother and younger siblings. As a youth he wished to become a doctor or a teacher. Once he completed secondary school he spent a year working to support himself through teaching. He graduated from Ndegeya Core Primary Teaching College in 2010.
Julius started teaching right away at Tekera Resource Centre (Tekera Primary School) During his time at Tekera he become the director of studies. While holding this position he recognized that there was a high amount of children dropping out of school. He took initiative in finding out why and went village to village talking to the children and their family. During these visits he found the common reason for children to drop out of school is the lack of support and sense of hope.
He believes that every kid including street kids, orphans, kid with disabilities or other barriers should have encouragement to reach for and fulfill their dreams. Being a youth who struggled to reach his dreams he knows how a little support and encouragement can go a long way!
Daphine Namusoke, Secretary
Julius Lule,
Treasurer
Marvious Kiwanuka,
Youth Coordinator
Robinah Lunkusse, Outreach Coordinator
Nicholuos Mukasa, Education Outreach Coordinator
Marvious was born in Kiluba, Masaka. He is a S2 student at Arch Bishop Kiwanuka Secondary School. Currently he is the Vice-Music Prefect. His education plan is to become a Professor of Electrical Engineering.
Marvious’s role as Youth Coordinator is to start and maintain a youth council. He is the board member that represents this youth council on the Omusana Project Board of Directors. This youth council will participate in project activities as well as conduct their own activities on behalf of the project i.e.: village outreach, collecting donations for the street children, sensitization events.
Nicholuos was born in Kiluba, Masaka. He has completed his studies at Ndegeya Primary Teaching College and is now a P4-P5 teacher at Lambu Primary School.
Nicholuos’s role as Education Outreach Coordinator is to communicate with schools to organize outreach visits for the project. He will maintain consistent contact with schools to update about the project activities and to gain insight as to the individual village community needs.
Robinah was born in Makyidye, Kampala. She is the mother of 6 children. Many people in the community go to her with concerns and feel she is a safe person to talk to about their problems. She is a hairdresser and works out of her home or visits her client’s homes.
Robinah’s role as Outreach Coordinator is to communicate with villages to organize outreach visits for the project. She will maintain consistent contact with members in the village to update about the project activities and to gain insight into the individual village community needs.
