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ABOUT US

​One Can Make a Difference

OUR FOUNDERS

God Brings Together a Random Group of Good Samaritans

Dave Welling

Technology Executive

Nga Thi Tuyet Phan

Tailor and Business Owner

Jack Snyders

Retired Masonry Businessman

Mary Johnston

Missionary

Lorraine Schaefer

Retired Farmer and Student Exchange Director

Father Martin Johnston

1927 – 2022

Bert Huys

1943 – 2021

Donna Watkinson

1941 – 2016

OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Dave Welling

Co-Founder, President

Dave has been a high-tech executive in Canada and Silicon Valley for over 30 years. His passion for youth and the extreme poor spans more than a decade. Inspired by his mother Donna Watkinson's life, he volunteers with at-risk youths in North America as well as street kids and the extreme poor in Uganda. Dave is a donor of his time, talent, and treasure to these causes. He is a leader and (the team calls him) an "earth mover" who delivers results for the street kids of Nyendo and the extreme poor of Masaka, Uganda.

Mary Johnston

Co-Founder, Secretary

Mary, as she likes to say, works for God and has since the day she was born. She is a tireless contributor of her time and talent and has spent 15 years as a missionary in South America. Since 2013, Mary has been on 7 mission trips to Uganda to help the extreme poor of the Masaka District, building houses and helping the sick and imprisoned.

Tyrelle Anasara-Diab

Director

A Montreal culinary school graduate at 24 and a leader since he was 19, Tyrelle is the youngest member of our team. Raised in the foster care system of Quebec, he found his way to a good man's path through the work of Boys to Men Canada. He completed his first trip to Uganda in 2017 and has taken up leadership roles in our work and fundraising projects. He is a youth mentor to the street kids of Nyendo and has put in place a mentor system for the boys at OMACAN House based on his training in Boys to Men Canada.

THE OMACAN TEAM IN UGANDA

The Difference Makers

Ajeni, Paul

General Manager

Kabunga, Ronald

Omacan Partnerships

Sanyu, Denis

Head of Security

Okalanyi, Ben

Night Security Guard

Mbabazi, Olivia

Residence Care

OMACAN FOUNDERS

This OMACAN founders photo was taken in the fall of 2013 at the equator between Masaka and Kampala, Uganda. We were only missing our dear friend and difference-maker, Lorraine Schaefer. This trip was life changing for many of us and inspired the organization and projects we have undertaken since this trip.

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OMACAN: THE HOME OF SECOND CHANCES

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