Staff in Canada:

Natalie Angell – Cofounder & Executive Director 

Natalie Angell is passionate about peace, healing and the power of conscious change. She is committed to supporting communities to find inner peace and live from a place of compassion. A yoga teacher and doula, Natalie cofounded Heart Centre Yoga, has released a guided meditation CD and leads yoga birth workshops for couples. Natalie has a BA in International Development Studies from York University and has worked with non profit organizations both in Canada and in the Global South. She is currently following her path towards holistic midwifery and shares her time between Canada and Uganda. Natalie is on the International Advisory Board for The Women Like Us Foundation and has a deep respect for grassroots women’s movements and their ability to both heal and empower communities throughout the world.

Staff in Uganda: 

Kristen Porter - Project Coordinator

Kristen has been a supporter of The Shanti Uganda Society since its creation. She made the move from eastern Canada to Vancouver in order to play an integral role in the organization and served as President of the Board of Directors in Vancouver until April 2010. Kristen is passionate about peace, global justice, human rights and the power of grass roots organizing. Kristen studied Educational Studies at Bishop’s University in Quebec and International Development Studies at York University in Ontario. She brings with her, experience teaching and working with schools, non-profit and international organizations across Canada and globally. When she’s not working with the Shanti Uganda Women's Group or Birth House, she can be found on her yoga mat or enjoying, a new adventure or night of music with friends.

Lubaga Sam - Night Watchman

Sam grew up in Mambuli Village (next to Nsaasi). He is 42yrs old and has five children. He started working with Shanti Uganda in December 2009 clearing land and has worked with us throughout the construction of the Birth House. He was hired as our Night Watchman in March 2010. Sam enjoys reading novels and natural gardening. He grows all of his own food and livestock. With the money he has made from working with Shanti Uganda he has paid his children's school fees and has been able to buy home essentials and medicines. Sam is passionate about his work with Shanti Uganda and is excited about the quality care and education that the women of the area are receiving.

Bukeyna Alex - Grounds Person

Bukenya is 29yrs old and grew up in Bukuma village (neighbour to Nsaasi Village). He has three children. He started working for Shanti Uganda in January 2010 constructing interlocking bricks for the birth house water tank. After showing extreme dedication and an unbelievable work ethic Bukenya was hired as the grounds person in March 2010. With the money he has made from Shanti Uganda he has paid school fees for his children and has completed renovations on his home. Bukenya is excited about the Maternity Centre and the care it provides for the women and girls of the area.

Lumbuye Ben - Driver 

Ben is 36yrs old and has two children.  Ben started delivering supplies to the Shanti Uganda construction site in December of 2009 and was hired as the offical Shanti Uganda driver in March 2010. Ben enjoys Nascar racing and listening to Celine Dion. He is a strong supporter of Shanti Uganda. Ben believes that Shanti Uganda benefits the women by bringing them together to share their views, providing business training and holistic health practices. According to Ben Shanti Uganda is not only improving the standard of living for women, but also the male employees and, male family members of the women we support. Ben has used the income he has earned from Shanti Uganda to wire his home with electricity, purchase basic households and pay for his children's schooling. Ben is excited about his position with Shanti Uganda and looks forward to meeting international volunteers and learning more about the benefits of yoga. 

Kato - Casual Grounds Person

Kato is 26yrs old and grew up in Bukuma village. He has two children. He began work with Shanti Uganda in December of 2009 making bricks for the construction of the Maternity Centre. Kato worked with Shanti Uganda throughout the construction process and helped bring water on the back of a bike to the site before the water tank was complete . Kato enjoys farming and has used the money he has made from Shanti Uganda to pay for his children's school fees and the basic household needs.

Molegula - Casual Night Watchman 

Birth House Midwives - Interviews are underway in Uganda! Check back soon. 

Volunteers In Canada:

Vanessa Senecal - Volunteer Coordinator 

Vanessa is a registered massage therapist and doula with a passion for working with women in the childbearing year. She also teaches baby massage classes to keen parents. Before her move to Vancouver almost a year ago, she was an enthusiastic volunteer in her hometown of Rossland, BC. Some of her roles included Volunteer Coordinator of the Rossland Mountain Film Festival, Producer and Director of a local performance of The Vagina Monologues, and host of a show on Rossland Radio. 

Upon moving to Vancouver, she was drawn to Shanti Uganda as an opportunity to continue volunteering with an organization that she is very passionate about. Vanessa likes riding her bike around the city, practicing yoga, and traveling - back to Rossland to go skiing or internationally to practice her spanish.

Amelia Porter - Online Social Media

After completing her Bachelor of Science in Ecology at the University of Guelph in 2009, Amelia moved to Victoria BC and become a volunteer with The Shanti Uganda Society. Inspired by the dedication and passion of her sister Kristen, who is now Shanti Uganda's Project Coordinator in Uganda, Amelia wanted to learn more and become involved. She is passionate about the conservation of biodiversity and environmental sustainability. Amelia also volunteers with many other local environmental organizations in Victoria. She enjoys playing soccer, traveling, dancing and outdoor activities. 

"Let every individual and institution now think and act as a responsible trustee of Earth, seeking choices in ecology, economics and ethics that will provide a sustainable future, eliminate pollution, poverty and violence, awaken the wonder of life and foster peaceful progress in the human adventure." - John McConnell, Founder of International Earth Day

Chandra Van Esterik - Online Sales Coordination

Chandra Van Esterik graduated from Douglas College, social service worker program in 2009. Douglas College sent me to Uganda in 2009 to complete my last practicum for my diploma. This was indeed a life changing experience that increased my compassion and desire to extend myself beyond my Canadian life by helping others across the world. I became a volunteer with Shanti Uganda upon my return to Canada. I am currently working on my social work degree with the University of Victoria. I have always been passionate about travel and international work. My inspiration and passion for this work comes from my mother, who I have watched growing up, work tirelessly as an academic to help improve women and infant health by advocating for breastfeeding rights. My other inspiration is my many years as a yoga practitioner that has taught me peace, compassion and the spirit of giving.  This is why I love being apart of shanti, being apart of something that supports and empowers women in Uganda. We are all interconnected.

“If you have come to free me, you are wasting your time. But if you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, come let us work together." -Lila Watson an Australia aboriginal elder  

“Women do two-thirds of the worlds work, receive 10% of the world’s income and own 1% of the means of production.” -Richard H. Robbins

Cheryl Angell - Weekly Donation Deposits, Growth Committee

Cheryl is a semi-retired Counsellor and Mathematics teacher. After a 35 year career in the public school system, Cheryl now keeps active spending time with family and friends, teaching at a local International College, paddling out in the Burrard Inlet and volunteering with Shanti Uganda. 

Always an advocate for providing quality education, training and opportunities, Cheryl is proud of Shanti Uganda's initiatives. The income generating groups enable women to support their families.  

Kim Ridgewell - Cofounder & Graphic Designer

Jason Golbey - Lawyer

Susie Do - Lawyer

Duncan MacKenzie - Accountant

Erin Sawyer - Canadian Tax Receipts