REINVENTING GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP
OUR MISSION
The mission of GroundUP Africa is to develop and replicate education and regenerative farm campuses in low-income agrarian communities which leverage EdGroTech™ programming to increase eco-social resilience in sustainable, locally generated solutions related to social, economic, and ecological challenges starting in Kanungu District, Uganda.
OUR VISION
We envision a world in which cycles of poverty in rural Africa are broken by solving age-old problems with innovative, locally-generated solutions.
OUR VALUES
We believe in partnership, beyond collaboration, which commands mutual accountability and participation in decision making for the benefit of a common goal.
We relish unconventional thinking and new perspectives in the interest of addressing age-old problems with new solutions.
We are transparent with information, communications and actions within our organization and when sharing with others in an effort to cultivate trust and integrity with all stakeholders.
We are passionate about our planet, our work and the people we meet along the way to creating a better world.
We foster an environment of self-esteem and self-efficacy by respecting ourselves and others, social norms and families, law and nature.
PARTNERSHIPS
We believe in partnership, beyond collaboration, which commands mutual accountability and participation in decision making for the benefit of a common goal.
INNOVATION
We relish unconventional thinking and new perspectives in the interest of addressing age-old problems with new solutions.
TRANSPARENCY
We are transparent with information, communications and actions within our organization and when sharing with others in an effort to cultivate trust and integrity with all stakeholders.
PASSION
We are passionate about our planet, our work and the people we meet along the way to creating a better world.
RESPECT
We foster an environment of self-esteem and self-efficacy by respecting ourselves and others, social norms and families, law and nature.
SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE...
SOCIAL SUSTAINABILITY
ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY
ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
- LOCAL GOVERNANCE AND AGENCY
- GENDER SENSITIVITY
- EDUCATION PERSISTENCE AND ATTAINMENT
- COMMUNITY HEALTH AND WELLNESS
- LONG TERM CAMPUS EMPLOYMENT
- FAIR TRADE MARKET LINKAGE
- COMMUNITY RE-INVESTMENT
- SOIL RESTORATION
- BIODIVERSITY
- CROP PRODUCTION
- ANIMAL WELFARE
SOCIAL SUSTINABILITY
- LOCAL GOVERNANCE
- GENDER SENSITIVITY AND EQUALITY
- EDUCATION PERSISTENCE AND ATTAINMENT
- COMMUNITY HEALTH AND WELLNESS
ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY
- LONG-TERM CAMPUS EMPLOYMENT
- FAIR TRADE MARKET LINKAGE
- COMMUNITY RE-INVESTMENT
ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
- SOIL RESTORATION
- BIODIVERSITY
- CROP PRODUCTION
- ANIMAL WELFARE AND PRODUCTIVITY
GROUNDUP AFRICA IS ONE OF MANY LIKE-MINDED ORGANIZATIONS WORKING TOWARD SPECIFIC UNITED NATIONS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS.
WE ARE FOCUSED ON:
OUR IMPACT
2 years
OUR STORY
While all places are unique and beautiful, a handful will steal one’s heart and move one’s soul. There are some journeys that quickly serve as life-altering experiences
In November 2017, Janet Suber was one 1000s of Ugandan tourists to land at Kihihi Airstrip. With her guide, Hamidu “Ham” Juuko, she traveled the ubiquitous red dirt roads to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home to the mountain gorillas. Janet’s trek was an arduous climb through dense foliage, crossing slippery rivers before settling into the thick forest, and sat in stillness with the magnificent creatures she had come so far to see.
Being a consummate host, Ham drove slowly back to the lodge allowing Janet to take in every sight, every scent, every sound of his beloved country. Ham indulged Janet’s every question and sensed her genuine interest in its ecosystem, its people and its future. Together they visited local community leaders and founders of Ride 4 A Women, Evelyn Habasa and Denis Rubalema. In the subsequent two years, the foursome purchased local land on which they planned to build a school and create a permaculture farm.
Initial plans were postponed when the COVID pandemic hit Uganda, though the harvests from the land provided food security for thousands of local people. The pause created by COVID enabled the GroundUP Africa team to develop a purposeful and powerful plan for its future. The result is what you are reading here….
While all places are unique and beautiful, a handful will steal one’s heart and move one’s soul. There are some journeys that quickly serve as life-altering experiences
In November 2017, Janet Suber was one 1000s of Ugandan tourists to land at Kihihi Airstrip. With her guide, Hamidu “Ham” Juuko, she traveled the ubiquitous red dirt roads to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home to the mountain gorillas. Janet’s trek was an arduous climb through dense foliage, crossing slippery rivers before settling into the thick forest, and sat in stillness with the magnificent creatures she had come so far to see.
Being a consummate host, Ham drove slowly back to the lodge allowing Janet to take in every sight, every scent, every sound of his beloved country. Ham indulged Janet’s every question and sensed her genuine interest in its ecosystem, its people and its future. Together they visited local community leaders and founders of Ride 4 A Women, Evelyn Habasa and Denis Rubalema. In the subsequent two years, the foursome purchased local land on which they planned to build a school and create a permaculture farm.
Initial plans were postponed when the COVID pandemic hit Uganda, though the harvests from the land provided food security for thousands of local people. The pause created by COVID enabled the GroundUP Africa team to develop a purposeful and powerful plan for its future. The result is what you are reading here….
OUR PARTNERS
RIDE 4 A WOMEN
(Women’s Leadership and Business)
GROUNDUP AFRICA PROUDLY PARTNERS WITH LOCAL ENTERPRISES TO SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT AND
DELIVERY OF OUR EDGROTECH™ PROGRAMMING
GROUNDUP AFRICA TEAM
Ham Juuko
Co-founder, Bwindi Hills Community Campus
Janet Suber
Founder and CEO
Elaine Berndes
Global Executive Director
Evelyn Habasa
Co-founder, Bwindi Hills Community Campus
Evan Suber
Marketing Director
JANET SUBER
CHAIR
DAVID SUBER
TREASURER
DUSTIN MOAVEN, ESQ.
SECRETARY
MARLA CUSACK, CPA
DIRECTOR
ELAINE BERNDES
DIRECTOR
EVELYN HASABA
FOUNDER, RIDE 4 A WOMAN
RETTA JITNER
FOUNDER & CEO, PENCILS FOR KIDS, INC.
DENIS RUBALEMA
CO-FOUNDER, RIDE 4 A WOMAN
JUDITH SALTZMAN ASHER
GLOBAL NON-PROFIT AND ANIMAL RIGHTS CONSULTANT
JILL SPERLING
GLOBAL ACTIVIST, PHILANTHROPIST, CONSULTANT