Help Us Change a Life and Give a Child Hope
BWINDI COMMUNITY PROGRAM (BCP) founders, Jim and Jan Tanis discovered Bwindi in 2007. To help the vulnerable children they met there, BCP was established as a 501c3 in 2010. The first group of sponsored children numbered 20. In 2015, the sponsored students had grown to 131 and were in Primary, Secondary, Vocational Schools and University. BCP now focuses mainly on Secondary education at Bishop Comboni College, Vocational Training and University.
Jim passed away in September of 2022. His legacy will be the love of education that he inspired in the students that Bwindi Community Program has sponsored.
Jim passed away in September of 2022. His legacy will be the love of education that he inspired in the students that Bwindi Community Program has sponsored.
Awards given to
Jim and Jan Tanis
for their work with BCP:
• National Association of Women Business Owners
Humanitarian Award, 2015
• Bishop Comboni College Kambuga
Award for aiding the growth and development of the school, 2015
• Michigan Technological University Alumni Association
Humanitarian Award, 2016
Rita Sabiiti, President
B. Ed. B.A in Music and Geography, Diploma in Music performance. Currently the Head of Music at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in Saudi Arabia. 2014-21, Rita was the Head of the Arts Department and music teacher at The International School of Uganda. Rita is Co-Founder of Muvule Academy Community School in Entebbe and Co-Founder of The Burks-Sabiiti Foundation, a charity organization committed to promoting inclusive education, literacy, and health programs in Ugandan schools. Rita is a leader in education best practices with a strong background in curriculum development, teaching and learning, and staff development. Board member since 2021.
B. Ed. B.A in Music and Geography, Diploma in Music performance. Currently the Head of Music at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in Saudi Arabia. 2014-21, Rita was the Head of the Arts Department and music teacher at The International School of Uganda. Rita is Co-Founder of Muvule Academy Community School in Entebbe and Co-Founder of The Burks-Sabiiti Foundation, a charity organization committed to promoting inclusive education, literacy, and health programs in Ugandan schools. Rita is a leader in education best practices with a strong background in curriculum development, teaching and learning, and staff development. Board member since 2021.
Jan Tanis, Treasurer
Retired Controller, First Martin Corporation, commercial real estate development and management (20 years). Planning and Zoning Commission for City of Sedona (4 years), various volunteer board positions.
Retired Controller, First Martin Corporation, commercial real estate development and management (20 years). Planning and Zoning Commission for City of Sedona (4 years), various volunteer board positions.
Adair Andrews
MATD (Masters of Art in Training & Development), RN. Her nursing background is in oncology and critical care medicine. Currently, she is working at the Society of Critical Care Medicine as a research project manager
MATD (Masters of Art in Training & Development), RN. Her nursing background is in oncology and critical care medicine. Currently, she is working at the Society of Critical Care Medicine as a research project manager
Donald Scott Groves
EdD, Educational Administration, Communication and Psychology with Post Doctorate work at University of Oxford, Harvard University, Brown University and others. Don was Head of School at the International School of Uganda in Kampala, Uganda from 2004 to 2010. His experience and enthusiasm for education is a wonderful addition to the BCP Board. Board member
since 2015.
EdD, Educational Administration, Communication and Psychology with Post Doctorate work at University of Oxford, Harvard University, Brown University and others. Don was Head of School at the International School of Uganda in Kampala, Uganda from 2004 to 2010. His experience and enthusiasm for education is a wonderful addition to the BCP Board. Board member
since 2015.
Janet Coyle Groves
M.A. in Integrated Sciences, B.A. Biology, with minor in Secondary Education. Jan’s experience at the International School of Uganda in Kampala included coordinating the partnership with Harvard Graduate School of Education to provide on-line training and professional development of the staff. Her roles there as Dean of Studies, Admissions Director and University Counseling while also teaching Biology makes her an invaluable partner in the “Groves Team”. Board member since 2015.
M.A. in Integrated Sciences, B.A. Biology, with minor in Secondary Education. Jan’s experience at the International School of Uganda in Kampala included coordinating the partnership with Harvard Graduate School of Education to provide on-line training and professional development of the staff. Her roles there as Dean of Studies, Admissions Director and University Counseling while also teaching Biology makes her an invaluable partner in the “Groves Team”. Board member since 2015.
Michael Lees
B.S. in Anthropology, B. Ed. Primary-Junior, M.S. in Education, Diploma in Aviation & Flight Technology. Currently the Senior Leader Executive with International Schools Services. He founded Global Issues Service Summit (Africa) while working in Uganda . During his work in China, he founded Guizhou SISters program educating 400 girls in the Guizhou Province before universal primary education was provided. His multinational background and insights into education are a huge asset to BCP. Board member since 2019.
B.S. in Anthropology, B. Ed. Primary-Junior, M.S. in Education, Diploma in Aviation & Flight Technology. Currently the Senior Leader Executive with International Schools Services. He founded Global Issues Service Summit (Africa) while working in Uganda . During his work in China, he founded Guizhou SISters program educating 400 girls in the Guizhou Province before universal primary education was provided. His multinational background and insights into education are a huge asset to BCP. Board member since 2019.
Byron Maani
M.S. in IT and Bachelors of Business Administration. Byron brings a background of project management, strategic planning and leadership skills. His current roles of providing Security, Health, Safety and ICT security to several international schools in Uganda along with Project Manager for construction of the Flight Academy in Nakasongola, including installation of the latest technologies in the aviation industry in Uganda, are impressive. He was Manager of School Operations for GEMS Cambridge International School Kampala from 2013 to 2017. His knowledge of the academic environment in Uganda is extensive. Board Member since 2019.
M.S. in IT and Bachelors of Business Administration. Byron brings a background of project management, strategic planning and leadership skills. His current roles of providing Security, Health, Safety and ICT security to several international schools in Uganda along with Project Manager for construction of the Flight Academy in Nakasongola, including installation of the latest technologies in the aviation industry in Uganda, are impressive. He was Manager of School Operations for GEMS Cambridge International School Kampala from 2013 to 2017. His knowledge of the academic environment in Uganda is extensive. Board Member since 2019.
Caitlin Mcquaid
M.S. in Education, B. A. Psychology, with minor in Geography. Caitlin has 11 years of international experience as an ESL teacher, homeroom teacher and now a PE teacher in South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong and currently Côte d'Ivoire. She has worked with various initiatives in the places she has lived based around education. Caitlin is passionate about everyone having a right to education and inspiring active lifelong learning. Board member since 2022
M.S. in Education, B. A. Psychology, with minor in Geography. Caitlin has 11 years of international experience as an ESL teacher, homeroom teacher and now a PE teacher in South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong and currently Côte d'Ivoire. She has worked with various initiatives in the places she has lived based around education. Caitlin is passionate about everyone having a right to education and inspiring active lifelong learning. Board member since 2022
Uganda Advisory Panel
Bwindi Community Program has assembled a group in Kampala, Uganda to act as the “Uganda Advisory Panel”. We provide the students with broader career choices and learn even more about local employment opportunities with this group of volunteers residing in the country.
© 2023 Bwindi Community Program
A Non Profit 501(C)(3) organization
