​One can make
a difference

OMACAN

SHOP

Our Founders

God Brings Together a Random Group of Good Samaritans

Father Martin Johnston

Retired Priest

A parish Priest and missionary for more than 50 years in South America and Africa.  Well known in Southwestern Ontario and the world for his continuous and relentless work with the extreme poor.

Bert Huys

Retired Farmer

A farmer for nearly 50 years in Southwestern Ontario and active world adventurer on mission trips around the world donating and helping bring water, food and help to the extreme poor.  Bert has a huge heart for his fellow man.

Donna Watkinson

1941-2016

Healthcare worker for more than 30 years in Northern Ontario.  She volunteered relentlessly in her home community and around the world.  It is her love, kindness and ability to inspire hope for her fellow man that is honoured with the school in her name.

Lorraine Schaefer

Retired Farmer and Student Exchange Director

Our American friend.  A farmer for many years (she won't let us say how long) and humanitarian for longer than some of us have been alive.  A relentless donor to the poor around the world.  Her love and kindness and life of charity inspire all of us.  Lorraine organizes shipments of goods for the children of Masaka, Uganda including thousands of shoes, dresses and sani pads for Africa

Jack Snyder

Retired Masonary Businessman

A builder for more than 30 years.  Jack is a constant volunteer and donor to causes aiding the extreme poor and an active participant on humanitarian missions throughout the years.

Mary Johnston

Missionary

Mary as she likes to say, works for God and has since the day she was born.  She spent 15 years as a missionary in South America and has been on 7 mission trips to Uganda to help the extreme poor of the Masaka District.

Dave Welling

Technology Executive

A 30 year high tech executive in Canada and Silicon Valley who's passion for youth and the extreme poor span more than a decade.  Inspired by his mother Donna, he volunteers with at Risk Youth, Street Kids and the extreme poor. Active donor, leader and as the team calls him earth mover for the street kids of Nyendo and the extreme poor of Masaka, Uganda

Nga Thi Tuyet Phan

Tailor and Business Owner

Nga is a small business woman.  A proud Canadian who immigrated to Canada as a Vietnamese Refugee.  She understands well, the ravages of wars and is a difference maker for God.  Nga is a powerful force for good with those in extreme poverty and fell in love with the orphan children of Masaka, Uganda

OMACAN

Board of Directors

Dave Welling

Co-Founder, President

A 30 year high tech executive in Canada and Silicon Valley who's passion for youth and the extreme poor span more than a decade. Inspired by his mother Donna Watkinson's life, he volunteers with At Risk Youth in North American and, Street Kids and the extreme poor in Uganda. Dave is a donor of this time, talent and treasure to these causes. He is a leader  (the team calls him 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, helping the sick and imprisoned.

Tyrelle Anasara-Diab

Director

A college student in Montreal and at 19 a leader. Tyrelle is  the youngest member of our team.  Raised in the foster care system of Quebec, he found his way to a good mans path through the work of Boys to Men Canada.  He has completed his first trip to Uganda this year 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 our hostel based on his training in Boys to Men Canada.

OMACAN Team in Uganda

The Difference Makers

Ajeni, Paul

Controller

An accountant by education, Paul is our financial controller and an incredible humanitarian.  He makes sure we are responsible, accountable and compliant with all the rules.  He also dives in and helps with everything and anything that needs done.  He has a giant heart and faith that shapes and drives his life.

Kabunga, Ronald

Omacan Partnerships

A Street Child for 7 years, Kabunga has transformed his life with the support of Omacan. He is responsible for identifying partner organizations as candidates for Omacan support.  He also is Omacan's first driver and graduate of our driving skills program, is our Omacan House leader, and is first student for the Grasshopper catching business program and the local chickens program

Tumwesigwe, Fadison

Security, Gardens, Master Carpenter

Fadison, has been an armed security guard for Ugandas top security firms for many years and is a master carpenter.  He is responsible for Omacan 247 security operations, is grounds keeper, and is instructor on the Woodworking apprenticeship program.  Fadison also acts as lead mentor for the animal and garden projects with the street children

Mbabazi, Olivia

Residence Care

Olivia, is a single young mother with experience in hospitality.  She is responsible for the care and nutrition of the residents and guests of Omacan House.

OMACAN

Founders

OMACAN founders photo, 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.

Sponsor a child.  Sponsor some food.  Sponsor a project.

Please, give Hope a chance for these children and become a sponsor of a child at the Donna Watkinson School of Hope.  A sponsorship is $360 Canadian or $300 US Dollars/year and provides a child with a meal each day, their education and a uniform. Our sponsorship's are highly interactive with the school and sponsored children. 

Or sponsor one of our staple food products like a 100 kg bag of Maize or a 100 kg. bag of Beans for the nutrition program. 

Or sponsor one of our key projects please reach out to us on our contact page and we can make that happen as well.  

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