Karibu / Welcome
Learn more about our organization,
our mission, vision and values.
Meet the team. We have eight board members— four in the US, 4 in Uganda and 4 officers.
Learn about its founders and their 27 years helping Uganda
Our Ugandan Team with visitors from Colorado in August 2025 (From left clockwise: Micheal Reuter, Jake and Amy Franklin, Tasha Mirembe, Simone (our driver), Gracious Taremwa and Kareem
Who We Are
Speakers for Africa, Inc. is a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN: 93-1552982) committed to transforming schools and communities in Uganda. Founded out of a deep love for Uganda and its children, we believe that every child deserves dignity, opportunity, and a safe space to learn.
Since our earliest visits to Kampala in 1997, our founders have witnessed firsthand the challenges facing vulnerable children — from hunger and poor sanitation to unsafe classrooms. Today, we work side by side with schools, families, and leaders in Uganda to create sustainable solutions that empower the next generation.
💛 Core Values
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Transparency – We show exactly how donations are used, building trust through real-time updates.
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Equality – Every child, regardless of circumstance, deserves dignity and opportunity.
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Community – We work hand in hand with local leaders, families, and schools.
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Sustainability – Our projects use lasting, practical solutions that continue to serve future generations.
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Respect – We honor Uganda’s culture, traditions, and communities in every step of our work.
🗣️ What Does Speakers for Africa Mean?
At its heart, Speakers for Africa reflects the belief that the true voices of Africa come from Africans themselves. Anyone can be a speaker for Africa, but no one more than Ugandans — the mothers, fathers, students, and communities who live the realities every day.
Our role is not to speak over them, but to provide a platform where their voices can be heard. We are not a handout organization. Instead, we offer tools, training, and opportunities so Ugandans — especially students — can create change for themselves, their families, and their communities.
Speakers for Africa exists to amplify local voices, empower future leaders, and ensure that the story of Africa is told by those who live it.
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📊 Our Impact at a Glance
🏫 2 Schools Supported – Uganda Youth Aid & Rwakobo Primary
👧👦 1,450+ Children Reached with education, meals, and programs
🪑 50 Desks Donated for safe and comfortable learning
🚻 1 Pit Latrine Built at Rwakobo Primary School (2025)
⚽ 2 Soccer Teams Formed with uniforms, coaches, and equipment
💻 Computer Tablets & Supplies Delivered to classrooms
🍲 Food & Hygiene Programs improving health and attendance
✨ Together, we’re transforming education, health, and opportunity for children in Uganda.
1—3 Year Strategic Roadmap
Meet Our Board Members
Peyton Thomas
Executive Director
(USA & Uganda)
Gracious Taremwa
Regional Director
Penny Randell
Administrator and Co-Founder
(USA & Uganda)
Lee Pulliam
Treasurer
Moses Walusimbi
Membership Outreach
Chad Johnston, MD
Medical Director
We Listen...
We Respond.
Our Mission and Vision Continued
Speakers for Africa Mission Statement:
Speakers for Africa identifies the barriers that vulnerable youth in Uganda face in accessing education. By listening to the wisdom and experience of local Ugandan communities, we respond to students’ needs through sustainable, impactful solutions. With the support of our dedicated team in Uganda, we are helping to create better access to education and opportunity for all.
Many children face overwhelming challenges, but together with local partners, we bring effective and lasting change. We are proud of this work—and we want you to fall in love with Uganda, too. Through modern technology, we provide near real-time updates so you can see exactly where your donation is making a difference. Want to know how your $50 gift helped? We’ll show you with full transparency as projects unfold.
Integrity and accountability guide every decision we make. At the heart of our mission is a simple but powerful goal: to provide access to education and to the tools needed to create sustainable change in students’ lives.
Anyone can be a Speaker for Africa—but none more so than the students, teachers, and parents shaping Uganda’s future. Together, we can bring vital resources to overcome barriers in sanitation, sports, tuition assistance, female health, cultural programs like dance, and now even school desks.
Our Vision, Values, Goals and Objectives
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Our Mission
Our mission is to empower vulnerable children in Uganda through education, health, and community-driven initiatives — creating safe spaces where they can learn, grow, and thrive.
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Goals
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Empower Education – Provide vulnerable children in Uganda with safe, supportive, and fully equipped learning environments.
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Promote Health & Sanitation – Improve hygiene and nutrition in schools through sustainable projects like pit latrines, food programs, and clean water access.
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Foster Equality & Dignity – Ensure every child—especially orphans and vulnerable youth—has the opportunity to learn, play, and thrive with dignity.
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Strengthen Communities – Partner with local leaders, families, and schools to build long-term solutions that create lasting impact.
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Ensure Transparency – Provide clear reporting and real-time updates so supporters know exactly how their contributions make a difference.
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Objectives
📚 Mobilize Resources for Education-Gather support and establish meaningful educational opportunities for vulnerable children.
🏫 Create Safe Learning Environments – Ensure that every child is safe, healthy, and protected at school with reliable facilities in which to learn.
⚽ Promote Leadership Through Sports – Facilitate leadership, teamwork, and personal growth through sports activities and healthy competition.
🌱 Support Sustainable Community Initiatives – Partner with communities to apply sustainable technologies that enhance learning, health, and personal development.
Volunteers
Peyton Thomas and Penny Randell working at Mosa Court, Kampala, Uganda
It was 1997 when my son Peyton and I moved to Kampala, Uganda for me to work on my master's in animal behavior. However, I was rapidly taken by the people and they soon became the focus of my attention. We immersed ourselves in their culture and practiced their efforts regarding survival, as we continued to live there for three years. Since then, we have returned multiple times and maintained a close relationship with the people. The individuals and families we are involved with are desperately poor, yet the happiest people we have ever met. After exploring the country, plus most of East Africa, we have established a safe place to dwell, which enables us to extend a quality understanding of their needs. Our understanding of these people has led us to establish a legitimate pathway of assistance. Speakers for Africa was created in 2020 and has already proven its value. Our non-profit has successfully seen two fundraisers that have addressed the overwhelming hunger of children. In 2021 we delivered enough millet to feed an entire school. After that, we took seeds to the school and taught the students how to plant them. Our organization continues these valuable endeavors, as we reach out to those who can make this happen. Unlike many NGOs, every penny spent can be followed. Those who have donated are pleased with the results, which allow us to continue to service children in need. This one-of-a-kind non-profit shall make every effort to assist the children who attend school only when nourishment is available. At present, we are beginning a new campaign for the many children at Uganda Youth Aid Primary and Nursery School. Because there is food in their village, these kids are reluctant to leave home. When a meal is promised at school they attend. It only takes $600 of millet to feed the children for an entire term. This money also purchases beans that are a must with children. As already said, donated money can be followed by givers. We do not access the money from this end, for we have people on the ground in Kampala. Too, both Peyton and I will be returning to our beloved second home in the fall. At that time, we will make an effort to supply food to more schools. Speakers for Africa is well-equipped with dedicated workers. Together we can assist these needy children. We can not make these valuable efforts without your help. When you see the contented and happy faces we add to Facebook and our website (speakers for africa.org), you should have a happy face, too. These kids are so grateful, which energizes our doings and makes all our efforts a success.