Celebrating 25 women representing all women whose impact defines 25 Years of Nyaka.
They are listed by location, from local to international.
‘Mukaaka’ Freda Byaburyakira, the first Headteacher of Nyaka Primary School. She visited along with Mukaaka Matrida to Toronto, Canada, for the Grandmother Gathering.
‘Mukaaka’ Matrida Nyinebirungi, visited Toronto, Canada, with ‘Mukaaka’ Freda, sparking the start of the program providing grandmothers with decent housing.
The late Mrs. Janet Kaguri, Jackson’s mother. She was also very supportive of the Grandmother program.
‘Mukaaka’ Jolly Babirukamu, trained and mentored grandmothers for many years and spoke at Harvard Center for International Development, 2024.
Lydia Natukunda, served the longest as a teacher in Nyaka. During her service, Nyaka Primary maintained a 90%+ pass rate.
Christine Turyasingura, Jackson’s sister, has helped lead the Nyaka Education Program from day one to this day.
Emma Mugisha, the first Ugandan Board Chair and a USA Board member for many years. She introduced the first local partnership to Nyaka with Stanbic Bank.
Jennifer Nantale, the longest-serving Country Lead in Uganda. She is currently a consulting ally on operations.
Beronda Montgomery, donated the first $5000 with Jackson to start the Nyaka programs, which were saved up to buy a house. She is Nicholas’s mother, Jackson’s firstborn son.
Ingrid Scott, donated to the construction of Mummy Drayton Clinic in Nyakagyezi village, Kambuga. It’s named after her Mother.
Leonarda Ndazororera, along with her husband, is a long-time supporter of Nyaka. She cared for orphans in her home for many years.
Harriet Lewis, Nyaka donor and friend of Jackson since 1994, when he first joined Columbia University. She is 101 years old this year.
Janis Simon, former US Board Chair and board member. She supported the construction of NVSS and is a long-time donor. Her father, Barry Segal, founded the Segal Family Foundation.
Carol Auld, a long-time serving volunteer teacher and donor. All funds to build Kutamba Primary School were raised at her house in Aspen, CO.
Sherrye Henry, connected Nyaka to the New York City Marathon in 2018. She has been a volunteer since then. Nyaka has raised 700k dollars over the years through this marathon.
Catherine Inanir, a long time donor and former board member.
Tory Dietel Hopps, has been a mentor, friend and sister to Jackson for many years. Her company bought land where the Library and Farm sits.
Susan Urbanek Linville, co-authored Jackson’s A School for My Village, A Victory for My Village, and the new book coming up in 2026.
Sara Dunkley, a founder of Beautiful World Canada, which has sponsored University education for all Nyaka girls and boys.
Ilana Lewis, started the Stephen Lewis Foundation with her father, Stephen Lewis. It’s the first worldwide foundation to give Nyaka a foundation grant in 2003. They still give today.
Debi Lang, produced the Cornerstone Documentary, A Film about Nyaka AIDS Orphans Project. She sponsors 17 students in Secondary School education.
Barb Dunlap,  a Volunteer Coordinator for several One-By-One annual Fundraisers in Michigan. She has also served as our liaison with The Peoples Church, securing donations for many years.
Jeanette De Wyzee, a Women’s Empowerment International (WE) focal person for Nyaka. WE funds are revolving funds for women. Nyaka Microfinance, which started with funds from the revolving fund.
Debarah Malac, a US Board Chair and a former US Ambassador to Uganda.
Maya Ajemera, started the Global Fund for Children. It was the first USAÂ foundation to give Nyaka a grant.
While this post highlights 25 remarkable women whose contributions have shaped Nyaka over the past 25 years, they represent just a fraction of the countless women who have dedicated their time, resources, and passion to our mission. Each of them, whether named here or not, has played an invaluable role in our journey, and we celebrate all women who have stood alongside Nyaka to make a difference in Uganda’s rural communities.
