From our Executive Director:
What a privilege it is to serve God through Kulea Villages. For many years I taught school, raised three children and served in both the children's and music ministries of my local church. I earned a B.S. in Education as well as a Master of Educational Administration early in my career. Teaching, being a mother and serving in the church was so fulfilling. In 2008, during a trip to Uganda, God put a burden in me regarding the suffering of children in East Africa. The absolute hopelessness of children living on the street or in a slum, searching for food in the trash, unable to go to school, wondering if they would survive ... it affected me deeply. I felt God asking me to act. Engaging personally in this enormous problem was far outside what I had envisioned for my life, or in my area of training, yet I was consumed with their suffering.
With encouragement from our church's mission team, six friends and I started Kulea Childcare Villages in December 2009. I am often called the Founder, but I could not have done anything without these six committed ladies: Kelly Lacourse, Renee Villafane, Pam Hansen, Melissa Nickerson, Darlene Matton and Cindy Parolisi and many others who joined us later. Through the years a total of 28 people have taken on the responsibility of board membership providing integrity, transparency, governance and honoring the Lord. It’s a privilege to be part of all that God has done and is doing through Kulea Villages. We believe children deserve to stay with their family (even if mom dies or dad has left). Keeping families together is our aim as we send children back to school, help malnourished babies with formula, teach families to create a small business to pull themselves out of abject poverty, and share the love and hope of God.
It is my life's goal to serve God and to share His love. At Kulea Villages, we depend on Him to provide. Everyday, babies are fed, children go to school, and small businesses are created through generous donations of people who understand the need and respond.
Thank you for reading our site. Would you join us in supporting a child through sponsorship or the babies in Maisha Matters (our program for malnourished newborns)?
Come change the world for a family with us!
For the children,
Deborah Brown Magaya
Executive Director
