About
History
We are a not-for-profit humanitarian network that began in 2004, in Victoria, B.C., Canada. We volunteer our time, expertise and efforts, ensuring that 100% of donations goes directly to the causes we support.
We welcome people from around the world to join us in our work, bringing hope by supporting education and health, by empowering women and girls, and by encouraging sustainability in Africa.
Meet the Team
The For The Love of Africa Society Board of Directors are all volunteers, contributing their time, expertise and energy without remuneration.
Kevin Sterne
President and Treasurer
Kevin is a retired civil engineer (geotechnical) who has worked in the consulting industry for 40 years. He was born and raised in South Africa and has an appreciation for the different ways that things are accomplished in Africa. Throughout his career, he worked in the design and construction of schools, hospitals, day care facilities, roadworks and water dams and wells. Each required careful planning, execution, project management and quality control. This extensive experience provides a unique skill set to the Society for the evaluation and management or FTLOAs projects in Africa.
Kevin joined the For the Love of Africa Society in 2014, following a vacation in Tanzania during which he was inspired by the people he encountered. The Society’s mission and values were consistent with his own beliefs. As President of the Board, he guides the Society in the implementation of its objectives, adhering to its core values, while steering it with an eye on the future.
Dave Betts
Vice President
Dave began his working career as a skilled carpenter in the construction industry in British Columbia. A career change resulted in a diploma in Technical Education, and then a Bachelor of Technology Education and a Master’s Degree in Leadership. During the latter study, he taught high school for 7 years. He became Vice-Principal and then High School Principal in the Cowichan Valley and later the Director of Student Support Services and an Assistant Superintendent in Sooke School District, B.C., prior to retiring in 2016. The focus of the FTLOA Society on education and the building of schools complements the passion that Dave has as an educator and as a carpenter.
Dave joined the FTLOA Society in 2017 and travelled to Tanzania as a member of its team in October that year. His personal vision is to take this opportunity to give back to those who may not have had similar rich blessings to his own, a unique gift at this time in his life.
Bonnie Youngman
Secretary
The major component of Bonnie’s varied career has been as a Representative of the Hospital Employees’ Union. She has been involved with contract negotiations and grievance resolution, including through arbitration.
Bonnie worked with Karen as part of the Victoria-based group of volunteers committed to helping the Makuyuni Maasai, and she joined Karen on her trip to Tanzania in 2016. This group of Massai have become like family for her. Bonnie joined the For The Love of Africa Society in 2017 to continue her support for the people of Tanzania. She has seen the need and knows that whatever we do is of benefit.
Karen Schrey
Member-at-Large
Karen is an experienced entrepreneur, with expertise in medical technology and teaching English as a Second Language, and familiarity with living in a developing country.
Karen was the founder of a Victoria-based group of volunteers committed to helping the Maasai in Makuyuni boma; a result of a personal pledge she made herself following a safari holiday in Tanzania. Beginning in 2012, she made a trip to Makuyuni in each of the following 5 years, bringing volunteers and much needed funds to begin the construction of a school.
Karen joined the For The Love of Africa Society in 2017, bringing with her the connections to this Maasai community. Her commitment to the Society reflects mutual values and the hope that her work will “pay it forward” in some way.
Gail Richard
Member-at-Large
Gail worked for the Kenyan Government and with the International School in Kenya, before becoming a teacher of English as a Second Language. Early in her life, she was humbled to be invited to help build a school, train teachers and create curriculum in a rural Kenyan village. Her career path has included instruction in cross-cultural communications, language acquisition and methods of teaching ESL. When she learned about FTLOA, she did not hesitate to learn more. She joined in 2017 and has been very impressed with the work of the society. “FTLOA is a truly special organization! I have visited Tanzania on several occasions and am committed to work in partnership with Tanzanians and FTLOA on the many highly successful projects which bring community development and educational opportunities to the “watu”, the wonderful people of Tanzania.”
Kelly Betts
Member-at-Large
Kelly has worked in the development of trades and technology programs and initiatives for youth in Victoria, British Columbia. She has also worked throughout B.C., with school districts, post secondary institutions and government. Kelly joined FTLOA in 2017, and contributes her educational and professional experience in skills development to the Society. As a Board member, she is working on the Membership and Recruitment Committee and looks forward to bringing new ideas and in supporting the development of the Dodoma Technical Institute.
Laurie Mueller
Membership and Recruitment, Newsletter Editor
Laurie’s experience as an Adult Educator has enhanced her skills as a communicator and facilitator, attributes which she is currently using in her work as the Society’s Newsletter Editor and as the Board member responsible for Membership and Recruitment. Laurie joined the For The Love of Africa Society in 2016, and travelled with the Society’s team to Tanzania during the initial construction of the Dodoma Technical Institute, with a special role as a blogger and communications member. That role gave her insights into previous Society projects since 2004, and provided her with stories and updates for each of them. In her words, her commitment to the communities FTLOA interacts with in Tanzania “intensifies the more I work towards the goals of the Society. What a privilege to be a part of this Society!!!”
Darryl Karleen
Past President
I joined Team Tanzania 2011 where I assisted the society and helped with the building of a primary school in Dodoma. This was the first time I had travelled to a developing country and I was struck by the warmth of the people as well as the beauty of the land. Working side by side with the locals was a rewarding and enriching experience and will never forget this African experience. After returning in 2011, I have remained a member of the FTLOA board and helps manage the society’s websites and social media.
Finances
Financial Year: 2018 – 2019
