Board members support the work and functioning of the Bokamoso Life Centre located in Winterveldt, South Africa, by providing strategic, financial and operational assistance to support the center’s ability to achieve its goals. The U.S.-based Bokamoso Youth Foundation board is a working board, made up of committed volunteers. They are passionate about promoting cross-cultural connections and supporting the work of Centre staff on the ground in South Africa. Through their support, youth in the Winterveldt community have the opportunity to further their education, receive college scholarships, and experience creative and performing arts. The Foundation has no staff.
President
Constance Sullivan cemented her commitment to the work of the Foundation when she traveled to Winterveldt with the St. Andrew’s students as a parent chaperone. Connie has described how inspiring it was to see for herself how hard the young people work to overcome obstacles, pursue better education and achieve their dreams. Connie became a board member in 2011. Click here to read more about Connie.
Vice President
James Cawley has been a supporter of the exchange program since its beginnings in 2002 by holding in-home socials, hosting a table at the Dream Breakfasts, and mentoring Bokamoso students during their stay in the U.S. He has been on the Board since April 2011. Click here to read more about Jim.
Secretary
Kathryn Tobias is a founding member of the Bokamoso Youth Foundation and has been an active supporter of the Bokamoso Life Centre and the youth it serves for more than two decades. She first visited the Centre in 1999 with Roy Barber and youth from St. Andrew’s Episcopal School. As a Federal civil servant who retired after 30+ years of service with the U.S. Small Business Administration, Kathryn is particularly interested in building sustainability in the lives of individuals, the Centre’s program, and the community of Winterveldt. Click here to read more about Kathryn.
Treasurer
Charlie Vance has been traveling to Africa for many years. He became a Board member when the Foundation was chartered. He has a special interest in developing effective, low-cost communication strategies among Bokamoso supporters and sharing success stories of Youth Centre graduates. Click here to read more about Charlie.
Board Members
Ken Giunta and his family served as a Bokamoso Youth host family in January and February 2018 and 2019. His daughter, Sydney, a St Andrew’s student, participated in the South Africa trip when she was a sophomore in spring 2018. As a graduate of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy with a strong personal background and work history in federal and state government, social justice, international development, diversity and inclusion, Ken is very much committed to the mission of the Bokamoso Youth Foundation and this important exchange program between the Bokamoso Life Center and St. Andrew’s Episcopal School. Ken joined the Board in 2019. Click here to read more about Ken.
Abdulkadry Mntambo has a Master’s Degree in Project Planning and Management and a Bachelor Degree in Computer Engineering and Information Technology, both from the University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. He also volunteered at the Don Bosco Youth Center in Dar es Salaam. Abdulkadry joined the Foundation Board because volunteering has always been his passion since growing up as a child. He says, “ I have been in situation where I had people volunteer in my education. I understand how it feels to have nothing and to have no options. Whenever I go, I will find ways to volunteer.” He would like to share his knowledge and experience at both professional and personal levels. His rich cultural inheritance is an important part of what he brings to Bokamoso.
Nontando Mzayifani joined the Foundation because it aims to serve under privileged youth in my mother land, South Africa. It has been my mission to get involved, to give back, and to make a difference in a young person’s life. I can do my part with a sense of purpose that I am not just living but I live to help others through my financial skills. Click here to read more about Nontando.
Chioma Okafor is a Nigerian American global health professional with 10 years of public health experience including managing and executing public health projects in Sub Saharan Africa and Asia. Chioma joined the foundation due to her passion for gender equality and youth empowerment. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of West Georgia and Masters in Public Health from the University of Kentucky.
Benny Pittman was introduced to work of the Bokamoso Life Center in 2015 through the CEO of Abt Associates, the company for which he works. Abt’s mission is to improve the quality of life and economic well-being of people worldwide. Benny identified strongly with this mission, and was eager for an opportunity to make it personal in his life. In 2017 that opportunity came along and Benny joined the Bokamoso Youth Foundation Board. He visited the Centre in Winterveldt that same year, a visit that cemented his commitment to the Bokamoso program and the youth of Winterveldt.
