African Children's Charity of Arizona (ACCA), registered under the name African Children's Charities, is a nonprofit charitable organization run by a Board of Directors and a Ugandan advisor, Dr. Moe Mukiibi, who was born and raised in the outskirts of Kampala, Uganda and now lives in the United States.
In 2006, after visiting his family in Uganda, Moe returned to share stories of seeing so many children on the streets, children orphaned because their parents and family members had died from AIDS or other causes. When Moe said he wanted to help these orphaned children, a group of his friends expressed the desire to also help feed and care for orphans in the community where Mo had grown up. This was the foundation upon which ACC was founded. In December of 2007, ACCA was incorporated in Arizona, and in March of 2008, it received federal tax exemption under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue code.
From the first four children supported with food and shelter and cared for by a kindly "grandmother" in the village, today ACCA is supporting 15 children, four who have tested HIV positive and one who has AIDS. The support now includes food, shelter, clothing, education, medical care and all needed medicines. "Grandma" and "Auntie", continue to provide daily care for the children when they are not in school, along with some villagers who are contributing time and resources to the ACCA-Uganda success.
The objective of ACCA is to offer these children, and additional children as funds become available, a safe and secure home environment where they are loved and cared for, and receive the schooling and health benefits that promote self-worth and spiritual growth and encourages each child to grow into a productive and successful citizen of Uganda, who will in turn help others.
With our commitment to fiscally-conservative growth, we are confident that ACCA can care for each child through secondary (high) school. With motivation and encouragement, we look forward to seeing many of the children receive scholarships to attend college.
ACCA is funded by donations from individuals who desire to help support these children. Any payments processed through PayPal will go directly toward supporting the children.
MEET THE TEAM
The ACCA Board of Directors makes all of this possible.
Dr. Moe Mukiibi
Founder & Advisor
Dr. Moe grew up in Uganda, moved to Arizona where he founded ACCA, completed his Masters and Doctorate in Engineering and became a U.S Citizen. He is a well published Global Water Expert and a technology innovator. Some of his inventions are patent pending. In 2008, he was nominated for the World Health Organization-International Water Association Expert Roster. Between 2008- 2013, he received 15 Distinguished Award related to water projects he led around the world. In October 2009, he received the Water Conditioning & Purification International Magazine Award for his work on water technology and addressing the global water crisis. He also served as technical adviser for Water Conditioning and Purification (WC&P) Magazine. Throughout his career, he had the opportunity to work on a number of successful state of the art water projects in over 30 states in the United States and Worldwide. His educational credentials include three degrees in Chemistry (BSc), Engineering (MS, PhD) from the University of Arizona.
Umar Semwogerere
Uganda Director
Umar is responsible for operation and oversight of the educational, medical, physical, and spiritual care and support of the children.
Jay Murray
Vice President
Over 30 years production and human resources management experience with a variety of major international firms in health care, chemicals and natural resource development, and fourteen years as owner/operator of a real estate management company. Jay has served five years on cross-border/cross-cultural mission construction work and has participated in several short-term mission trips to Eastern Europe. He has been a member since 2006.
Jim Riley
President and Technology Manager
Retired with over 30 years in the defense industry utilizing engineering and computer skills on numerous projects. Jim is an active church and Bible Study member. He joined ACCA in 2009 to manage the information systems needs of the charity. In 2019 he became the ACCA President.
Thomas Harris
Resource Development
Information to follow.
Fatuma Nab
Administrative Assistant to the Uganda Director
Fatuma is responsible for record keeping and communications with ACCA-US. Fatuma, along with local volunteers, assist in mentoring, parenting, and providing care and comfort to these precious children.
Diana Hemphill
Secretary
More than 40 years in the private business and legal sectors supporting management with secretarial and administrative skills. She was a small business owner for over 12 years. Diana provides professional computer and organizational skills for a local Christian missionary organization. She has been a board member since 2010.
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Vikki Kattman
Executive Vice President
More than 40 years of sales, marketing and management in computer technology, technical staffing and cost analysis and containment for international Fortune 500 companies. Vikki recently retired and serves as a Adult Bible Study leader and women's small group Bible study teacher. She also mentors international college students on American culture, customs and assimilation into American business. She has been a board member since 2006.
Ron Stenstrom
Treasurer
Retired from the US Army with active duty/reserve experience in command, staff and educational roles. Ron worked 23 years in the aerospace industry with 15 years as program manager on several product lines. Currently he is teaching US history and western civilization at the local community college. Ron has a Master's Degree in History and Business Management. Ron owned and managed a small business for 13 years. He has been a board member since 2011.