About the
FOUNDER
Founder Story
I was born on Feb 5 1955 in Alwa, Eastern Uganda, East Africa
My parents believed in equal opportunity for all their children, so I was given a chance of getting educated.
In 1979,against the culture that was against education of a girl Child,I graduated from Makerere university in Uganda.,attaining B.A and a Dip.Ed majoring in English Language and Literature
Then I got my three daughters and ended up a single parent.
I was determined to give this girls the best education possible
From 1993 to 2005 I worked as an expatriate teacher in Botswana dating to dream that these girls would end up in the United States.
My dream was answered when I met Chuch a retired marine engineer, and his wife Sherly .
They were serving as Peace Corps in the same school.
Though they were in Botswana for only one year,we kept in touch with them.They encouraged me and showed me what to do to achieve my goals
for my daughters.
With their help, in various ways
Lekea graduated from UC Davis Emma from West Valley college and Santa from the University of Miami.
I decided to start the Alwa foundation to give back to the community and to give a chance to the girl child just as my daughters and I were given.
I thank God for his blessings on me and my daughters I would like to bless others too especially the community that raised me.
Mary Akiyo in San Jose in California.
Founder
MARY AKIYOe