Born in Toronto, Ontario in 1961, Cherie grew up in typical, middle class neighborhoods in Toronto, Mississauga, Burlington, and most recently Simcoe, Ontario. She attended Mohawk College (Accounting) and McMaster University in Hamilton (Women’s Studies & Religious Studies) and has worked in real estate since 1980 in accounting, management in ginseng farming since 1992. She is mom two adult step children Amanda and Stephen, and their younger "Tanzanadian" brother Kelvin and is “Mama” to the “watoto” (children) of Tumaini!
Cherie volunteered with the Burlington Jaycees (Junior Chamber of Commerce); with Girl Guides Canada as a troop leader & regional director; as a mentor with the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization; and has volunteered on several different committees within her church. She is a three time recipient of the Rotary’s "Paul Harris Fellow".
Early in 2009 Cherie tended to her dying father (prostate cancer) nursing him through his death in April. Shortly after his funeral she vowed to realize a lifelong dream to “give back” some of the many blessings she has enjoyed over the years. Africa, and its’ terrible need has tugged at her heart for many years.
A local newspaper ran an article on Tanzania and helping children and the link was Oddo. They met initially over the internet, Cherie decided to make a trip to Tanzania to investigate and the rest as they say, is history.
Mr. Oddo Joseph Ndonde was born in the village of Songea in southern Tanzania, August 23rd, 1964. The eldest of seven children he trained in the seminary and studied to become a Roman Catholic priest. He is married and has four healthy children, Elizabeth, Joseph, Ruthie and Reuben.
Oddo is well qualified to assist children in need and has attended several training programs and courses over the years including: Public and International Relations; African Traditional Studies; Conflict Resolutions; Children’s Rights; Clinical Pastoral Education (Counseling); Counseling for Traumatized Children; Project Planning and Management; Financial Management for Development Organizations; Gender and Good Governance and Civics Participation in Local Governance.
Since 1997 Oddo has dedicated himself to working with vulnerable and orphaned children in different organizations before cofounding Tumaini Children’s Foundation with Mama Dee. He has held the positions of Central Manager, Project Manager, Counselor and Assistant Director and has been a member of the Executive Committee of the National Networking of Organizations working with Children in Tanzania (N.N.O.C.) and participated in forming the Forum for Child Concerned N.G.O.’s in Arusha (F.O.C.N.A.)
Joining Mr. Oddo on a walk through the streets of Arusha is all the validation he requires as most adults and the many street children of “town” refer to him as “Teacher”.
Leslie has been educator for over 30 years and currently works as a Literacy/ Numeracy Coach with Grand Erie District School Board. Leslie first travelled to Tumaini in 2017 for what she knew would be a life changing experience. She returned in 2019 and plans to return regularly to the children and adults she has grown to love, respect and appreciate. Having always had a passion for facilitating excellence in youth and an interest in Africa, Tumaini was an easy fit for some of Leslie’s life goals. Leslie continues to support Tumaini by participating in ongoing educational growth ventures, in guidance and care for Tumaini children, and in supporting the many fundraising requirements needed to run the foundation. In 2021, Mama Dee nominated Leslie as the Executive Director of Tumaini Children’s Foundation Canada.
TUMAINI TEAM TANZANIA
Mama Aloyce, aka Tumaini, is one of very few loving step mothers in Tanzania. The struggles of daily life don’t usually include caring for the children of another, and yet, this mama loves both Aloyce and Junior as if she had given them life herself. Abused and neglected by the boys’ father, and having given birth to two more children (Vanessa and Stanley), she came to us very sick. Tumaini located her a home and we found sponsorship support for all of the family. In thanks, she has joined our team of loving mamas, giving care to our children, especially little Glory who now regards her as her own mother!
Mama Chi was one of our first mamas and continues to support Tumaini in this way.
TUMAINI TEAM CANADA – BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Born and raised in Simcoe, Ontario, Lisa and her husband David own and run two successful businesses:
The Dolmor Salon – http://dolmor.com
& My Top Drawer – http://mytopdrawer.com.
Lisa is mother to two sons, dedicated to supporting her community (and Tumaini) philanthropically and loves to be active! She is one of our founding members on the Board of Tumaini and has volunteered her support since 2010!
Becky Pow first visited Tumaini in 2011 with her sister and friends. She was moved by what we do at Tumaini and decided she wanted to help. Becky has been a volunteer with Tumaini since 2011 and officially joined the board of directors in 2018.
A mother of three adult children, Becky has worked for over twenty years as a Parent Program Assistant and Community Screener for Hearing for the Norfolk County Health Department. Sympathetic to children, especially with learning challenges Becky has brought her heart to Tumaini, spearheading fundraising drives, assisting with organization and sorting in our Tumaini House (warehouse), and is our go to resource for just about anything that needs constructing or repair. She is an angel (malaika) and we are very grateful to have her!
“Dada” (Sister) Sydney first volunteered with us at Tumaini in early 2018, helping teach in the local secondary school, running a math camp for our Tumaini children as well as bringing volleyball to our family!
Syd studies Environmental Engineering at the University of Waterloo and she expects to use her knowledge and skills to help improve a dire water situation in Tanzania. She joined the Tumaini board in 2018.
Director of Child Welfare and Social Work
Sharon has over 39 years of experience in the field of social work and has a strong passion for children and families resulting in a 33-year career in child welfare. This passion brought Sharon to Tumaini for the first time in January 2018 and has since returned on numerous occasions.
Sharon has been deeply impacted by the experiences she has had during her visits to Tumaini. She is actively involved in providing support and guidance to the children and staff of Tumaini; assists in the Tumaini donation barn and participates in ongoing fundraising efforts. Sharon has a Master of Social Work degree from McMaster University. She has been a Board Member since 2019 and began the role of Director of Child Welfare and Social Work for Tumaini in 2021.
For over 30 years Pam has worked as a pharmacist in various roles including dispensing, business operations and leadership. She currently works for a health tech start up that develops clinical decision support tools. In 2018, Pam, her husband Kevin and daughter Maddie did an epic family travel adventure that brought them to Tumaini to volunteer. The experience was deeply impactful and led to an enduring love and connection to the Tumaini community. Pam and her family continue to raise funds and awareness as well as look for ways to bring more like-minded people together to join this worthy effort. Pam has a pharmacy degree from the University of British Columbia and joined the Board in 2021.
Dave Egles is a retired solar electric specialist, and has been involved with Tumaini for 12 years. His family have volunteered at Tumaini in Tanzania on 8 different occasions. He used his work experience to install solar on the Tumaini buildings to reduce electricity costs and keep the lights on in the evenings. His family have sponsored 2 kids, Connie, from the age of 6, and Kelvin from the age of 8. He and his family are very proud to see how Tumaini helped them become responsible, caring and successful young adults.
Loraine Ladha is a seasoned corporate governance professional in the financial services industry, dedicated to upholding ethical standards and regulatory compliance with a strong track record in board advisory and risk oversight. Beyond the corporate world, Lorraine is deeply passionate about supporting children, advocating for their well-being and providing access to opportunity.
TUMAINI TEAM USA – BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Jill and Alan Witucki live in Michigan, and discovered Tumaini when they went to Africa with a suitcase full of picture books to donate. Their guide took them to the orphanage, and the children stole their hearts. They currently represent the Tumaini charity board in the United States, and hold a yearly Trivia night to collect donations. Jill was a nurse for 40 years, and Alan has a background in music, finance, and education. They are always looking for more ways to collect donations for this life-changing organization.