Nothing is possible without community leadership.
Absolutely everything relies on the ownership, pride and inclusivity of the communities and partners.

The Incredible Hello World Team
We are so proud to have the most amazing team in the UK, USA, Uganda and Nepal, as well as a wide network of donors, trustees, partners and advisors.
Dave Mugerwa
Consultant, Technology and Engineering
David is a technology enthusiast with a keen interest in product and systems design, innovation and technical implementation. He has worked in education, agriculture, micro finance, micro insurance and social enterprises, principally focusing on ways in which technology can be used to improve efficiency in these fields and how data can inform operational decisions. He is always keen to devise new ways of solving problems.
Faith Atuhaire
Accountant
Faith is Ugandan and holds a bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Finance. She works with both Imagine Her and Hello World. She has over 3 years’ experience in the accounting sector with specific focus on performing a wide variety of professional accounting duties. Her wide experience and commitment have enabled her to balance attention to detail and a hard-work ethic with a consultative touch.
Fiona Komugisha
Consultant, Projects & Programmes Implementation
Komugisha Fiona Esther has over 5 years’ experience in the community development sector focusing on women empowerment, reproductive health and education. She holds a Bachelor in Social Science from Kyambogo University. Fiona is a founder and Program Director for Imagine Her in which role she focuses on program development and team management.
She is also a part of the network of feminist activists, Kampala Lady Bosses, working to ensure that Ugandan women are given support and mentorship to improve their livelihood. Fiona is driven by her commitment to work towards positive change in communities.
Hillary Basemeza
Lead Engineer
Hillary Basemeza – Lead Engineer, Community Advocate, and Proud Product of Hello World
My journey is a testament to the power of resilience, learning, and self-empowerment. With a Diploma in Software Engineering from the University of Aptech in Uganda and certifications in First Aid, Social Work, and Community Development, I bring together technical expertise and a deep passion for community progress.
Our story with Hello World began during one of the most challenging periods of my life. Financial hardships forced me to leave school, and I started working as a driver. But I never let my circumstances define me. Determined to create a better future, I seized every opportunity Hello World offered, becoming a community representative and teaching myself everything about the Hello Hubs.
Today, as a Lead Engineer, I use my skills to bridge the digital divide, empowering communities and inspiring others to believe in the possibilities ahead. I’m proud to call myself "One Proud Product of Hello World," because this journey has shaped who I am—and now, I get to help shape the futures of others.

Isaac Nowamani
Community Support Officer (Ruhoko P/S - Nakivale)
Isaac, a Ugandan by nationality, completed his primary education in 2012 and O level in 2016. From 2017 to 2020, Isaac was teaching at Burunga Primary school. Isacc has supported a group of women who learned how to make liquid soap at the Ruhoko Hello Hub and they are currently earning a living from that. Isaac has also obtained a certificate for attending a capacity building training at Hello World.
Passionate about learning English and supporting community members to achieve their success, Isaac's goal as CSO is to make sure the community gets to use the internet and charge their phones without any inconveniences.

James Asuman
Community Support Officer (Nakivale)
James previously served as a volunteer translator for organisations such as the OPM, UNHCR, and Save The Children. They are also a dedicated social entrepreneur who has participated in numerous training programs both online and in-person across Africa and abroad. James' primary objective as a Community Support Officer is to assist people in the community in comprehending the services offered by Hello World and guide them on how to benefit from these resources.
Jason Holden
Engineer
Jason is a Research & Development Engineer from Houston Texas. Jason graduated in electrical engineering from Rice University and then worked on system design, integration, and troubleshooting in the commercial audio/video field. With a passion for science, art and invention, Jason went on to participate in a variety of projects, patents, and business ventures. Jason now works for Avenues: The World School’s R&D department supporting various projects as well as science and engineering courses.

Jean Claude Hambugisha
Community Support Officer (Rubondo - Nakivale)
Jean Claude is Congolese by nationality and prior to joining Hello World, they worked as a community facilitator at War Child Holland in 2019. Their goal as CSO is to ensure they serve the community and transform it using the power of the internet and technology. Working for Hello World has allowed Jean Claude to enrol in a Bachelors of social work and social administration at Bishop Stuart University.
Jo Henderson
Executive Director
Jo Henderson joined Hello World in May 2022 after 15 years working internally on a range of humanitarian and development issues. She has vast experience developing strategy, policy and programmes across a number of sectors.
She has worked across government, large humanitarian and development organisations, smaller NGOs and as a consultant and welcomes bringing this experience to Hello World to shape our strategy, programmes and impact.
Jo took up role of Executive Director in January 2025 having been in the role of Director of Strategy and Partnerships for a number of years.

Jolly Acha
Project Assoicates
Acha Jolly is a Regional Officer, Central Region with over 7 years of experience in operations and project management. They are a tech savvy, transformational leader with exceptional organizational skills, analytical and a problem Solver. Jolly loves constantly learning, passionate about making a positive impact on people's lives, enjoy an active lifestyle and staying physically fit, making meaningful relations/friendship and traveling.
Kabayonga Janet
Community Support Officer (Kimbimba - Fort Portal City)
Janet has worked with Youth Opportunity Uganda which deals with sports in schools, freedom for girls which emphasises menstrual health and how to make pads before joining Hello World. They have also successfully campaigned for children to stay in school and run a netball club with lots of children participating. Janet's aim in the CSO role os to oversee positive impact in the community as well as obtaining new skills and becoming an expert in areas in which they specialise.
Katrin McMillan
Founder
Katrin is an award-winning human rights expert whose work has spanned political theatre and grass-roots international development, for over two decades. In her time in the arts she held leading roles including Producer for The Culture Project, New York's home of socially conscious theatre, and Producer at MahWaf Theatre for whom she won an Edinburgh Fringe First. She also produced and developed multiple events for leading human rights organisations including The UN (OCHA), NY University Centre for Global Affairs, and NY Public Library. Katrin was the Producer and Director of Development of Speak Truth To Power for The R F. Kennedy Memorial and she has led community-based development programmes across Nigeria and Ethiopia for organisations including Management Sciences For Health and the World Bank. It is during her time living and working across Africa that she co-founded the Bwari Soap Co. and founded Projects for All, precursor to Hello World.
We work together.
Our approach is not traditional.
When we build, we collaborate in partnership with a community. We offer guidance on how to succeed in practice and how to make your work as respectful and effective as possible.

Where are we today?
Nakalama Primary School Hub
Adekokwok-Teo-Iam
Adyel boarding primary school
Best Future Centre
Bugabwe C/U Primary School Hub
Buloba Kitawuluzi
Bulubandi Primary School Hub
Busawula
Busiisi
Busoro
Bwikya
Canon Lawrence Demostration primary school
Chajjogang
Chaturale
Chauthe
Dhapsung
Gayaza
Gweri
Harugongo
Ichok
Iganga Boys Primary School Hub
Juru
Kabahinda
Kabazana Reception centre
Kabazana Women's Centre
Kabwohe community
Kakanipalchok
Karangura
Kashojwa Village
Katadoba
Kibati
Kibimba
Kibingo
Kihara Village
Kitegomba
Kitenga, A.
Kizungu
Kyamungwe Community
Kyassuma Village
Majuwa
Mugenyi
Nakawuka
Ndegeya
Nigale
Nsangi
Nyabukara
Olaka primary school
Opportunigee
Pating
Rubondo P/S
Rubondo Youth Centre
Ruhoko P/S
Rwengaju
Shiva Shakti school
Silinge
St James
Sursing
Tooro High
Unleashed
Youth Centre Base Camp
But it’s not just us and the communities.
A huge thank you to our all of our wonderful partners.
Without forming the key strategic partnerships on the ground, operationally, and commercially to fund our projects and communities across the globe, we wouldn’t be able to do the wonderful work that we do!
Partners

UNHCR
UNHCR leads international action to protect people forced to flee conflict and persecution and those denied a nationality. We are proud to be partnering with them in Bidibidi refugee camp in northern Uganda to deliver digital skills training alongside a Hello Hub.

UNHCR

MIT Solve
MIT SOLVE is a marketplace for social impact and social entrepreneurship, connecting startups with the funding and resources to solve global challenges. We are extremely proud to be selected as a S021 and S023 Solver Team

MIT Solve

N50 Project
The N50 Project is focused on enabling the next 50 % - 3.9 billion to become digitally included. N50 partners with organisations to close the divide and at Hello World we are working in coalition with other members to reach more marginalised communities.

N50 Project

Association for Progressive Communications
The Association for Progressive Communications (APC) is a network to empower individuals, organisations and social movements to use information and communications technologies to build strategic communities to contribute to human development and social justice. We are proud to partner with APC to reach more communities with our Hub model.

Association of Progressive Communications

60 Decibels
60 Decibels use quantitative and qualitative research methods to ask tens of thousands of beneficiaries across hundreds of social change organisations to judge, based on their own lived experience the materiality of the impact those organisations make to their lives. We are consistently in the top quintile of 60dB’s benchmarking overall as well as against both technology and education-related peers to Hello World.

60 Decibels

CARE
CARE is a leading humanitarian global organization. We deliver lasting change to some of the world's poorest communities and place special focus on working alongside poor women because, equipped with the proper resources, women have the power to help whole families and entire communities escape poverty. In 2024, CARE worked in 121 countries, reaching 53 million people through 1,450 projects. To learn more about CARE, visit www.CARE.org.

CARE
Funders

abrdn
In July 2021 we partnered with abrdn as they launched their new future-facing, client-supporting brand. Together we are building 64 new abrdn Hello Hubs across Uganda. Their multi-year support has allowed us to recruit new technical and support staff, revolutionising our capacity and allowing the leadership team to focus on development.

abrdn

Andan
The Andan Foundation is committed to improving the lives and dignity of refugees across the world and together we share the same drive to find solutions that promote refugees’ self-reliance and boost their resilience. So far we’re thrilled to have won two funding awards with them. The first funded four hub builds in refugee settlements in Northern Uganda. Our most recent funding award will help us expand into new countries with large refugee populations.

Andan

The Jingle Jam
Jingle Jam is the world's biggest online charity gaming event. Every year they raise millions of pounds for twelve charities and we are so delighted to be selected as one of the charities for 2023. Collectively we’re helping to raise over £4m during their two week streaming event this December.

The Jingle Jam

The Coles Medlock Foundation
The Coles-Medlock Foundation is a grant making organisation focused on alleviating poverty and hardship by supporting charitable projects across the developing world. Working with UK registered charities and their international partners, we focus on funding sustainable development in education, food provision, infrastructure, healthcare and independent financial progress.

Coles Medlock Foundation

The Marr-Munning Trust
With the help of Marr-Munning’s funding from 2022 we were able to expand our hubs for the first time into Nepal by building eight hubs with a focus to create opportunities for work and livelihoods, where people can learn essential ICT skills better equipping them for life in the modern world of work.

The Marr-Munning Trust

UK Aid
Funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), UK Aid Direct supported our expansion into Nepal, together pursuing poverty reduction and meeting the United Nations's Global Goals.

UK Aid

The Educational Opportunity foundation
Funds International projects which improve access, quality and sustainability of education in marginalised and low-income communities, UK projects which improve educational outcomes and life chances for care experienced young people.

Educational Opportunity Founation
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48percent.org
48percent.org is a non-profit organization with a mission to facilitate equality through access to communication. By working on projects that connect to one of our three program lines, we take a step forward towards access to equal and unrestricted communication. For more information, check out our website.
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48percent.org

The Internet Society Foundation
The Internet Society Foundation focus on funding initiatives that strengthen the Internet in function and reach so that it can effectively serve all people. Their work advances the vision of the Internet Society:
The Internet is For Everyone.

Interncet Society Foundation
Technology Providers

Roke
Roke Telkom provides 24-hour Wi-Fi to every Hello Hub in Uganda. This vital partnership means that every Hub in Uganda has a fast reliable internet connection. Roke Telkom is Ugandan owned and operated and all of their knowledge goes into making every Hello Hub that much better.

Roke

WorldLink
WorldLink is the largest Internet and Network Service Provider in Nepal. With their help and guidance, we have taken Hub technology to communities that are close geographically but that take many hours to travel between. We look forward to growing this partnership to all areas of Nepal, there’s still lots more work to be done!

WorldLink

Onebillion
Onebillion is the software provider for our tablets, giving everyone the opportunity to access world class education and news sources. We’re proud to enable our users to communicate with the world and give them the chance to improve their literacy and numeracy skills.

Onebillion

HostM
HostM is the clever software that allows the community to access the contents of the hubs in a secure, fast and reliable way. It’s an extremely important bridge to the community's knowledge and learning

HostM

Endless OS
Endless OS is a fast, powerful and easy to use operating system that helps make the user's experience on our tablets so effortless and engaging.

EndlessOS
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Curious Learning
The mission of the Curious Learning is to use the power of mobile devices and large data analytics informed by the science of learning to provide the opportunity for children to learn to read and inspire a curiosity to keep learning in populations that have no access to school or are in under-resourced schools.
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Curious Learning
Implementation Partners

Imagine Her
Imagine Her, our operating partner in Uganda, provides young women, girls, and youth with the skills and resources to create meaningful change in their lives. Together our aim is to accelerate the power and potential of all our hub users via a digital connection to the world.

Imagine Her
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The Centre for information Technology and development
CITAD is a non-governmental and non-profit organization that is committed to the use of information and communication technologies for the development and promotion of good governance.
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The Center for Information, Technology, and Development

Technology for All
Technology for All empowers low-income, underserved and vulnerable people through the tools of technology and we have partnered with them to help facilitate our hub builds across Nepal. They provide us with crucial local information, knowledge and support to implement our hub builds as seamlessly as possible.

Technology For Alll

Technology for All
Technology for All empowers low-income, underserved and vulnerable people through the tools of technology and we have partnered with them to help facilitate our hub builds across Nepal. They provide us with crucial local information, knowledge and support to implement our hub builds as seamlessly as possible.
UK Board of Trustees
Mike Jensen
Mike Jensen is a specialist in digital infrastructure and broadband access technologies in developing countries. Born in South Africa, Mike studied in the UK before moving to Canada in 1986, where he co-founded The Web, Canada's first non-profit Internet provider, for environmental and social justice organisations. In 1990 he worked with The Web to help found the Association for Progressive Communications (APC) as a global network of civil society groups working for equitable use of the Internet. With the end of Apartheid, Mike moved back to South Africa where, with support from UNESCO, UNECA and the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), he helped many organisations across Africa gain access to the Internet for the first time.
Mike Jensen

Laura Castrillo
Laura brings over 25 years of experience in data and analytics across a diverse range of industries. With a career spanning small IT consultancies, tech startups, and global corporations like Tesco and Salesforce, Laura has developed expertise in leveraging data to drive business insights and strategy. Currently she leads the web analytics function for Salesforce's Marketing department. Prior to this, much of her career was spent in digital agencies in London, collaborating with strategy and creative teams to craft compelling narratives to showcase an organization’s value.
Laura Castrillo
Erin Bown-Anderson
Dr. Erin Bown-Anderson is a passionate leader and educator with a distinguished career spanning over two decades. As the Vice President of Partnerships and Community Engagement for the global non-profit initiative, the N50 Project, Erin spearheads efforts to accelerate digital adoption and community enrichment for underserved populations across the globe. Her work centers on forging innovative, cross-sector collaborations to address the digital divide by connecting an aligned ecosystem of over 225 organizations to the greatest digital needs, with a focus on empowering women and girls through initiatives such as N50's "For WomenKind."
Erin Bown Anderson
Laura Harnett
Laura is a former strategy consultant (Deloitte, Booz) and retail director (Kingfisher, Selfridges). She is now an advisor, angel investor and founder of a sustainable cleaning brand (Seep). She loves working on all things digital and customer-centred, particularly when working with organisations with a strong purpose. Perhaps most importantly of all she is a mother of two and believes passionately in Hello World’s mission of closing the gap in access to education.
Marcus Exall
Marcus has been involved in Hello World since before the first hub was built. He has worked in the digital industry for the last 23 years, cutting his teeth just prior to the early days of the dotcom boom after an early career in sales and marketing in the UK & Japan. He built his own digital marketing business until its acquisition in 2011 and is an angel investor in, and advisor to, early-stage UK and international businesses.
Marcus Exall

Marti Wigder Grimminck
Marti Grimminck is a global business executive, social entrepreneur, keynote speaker, and futurist designer. As the Founder and CEO of International Connector, a multi-service consultancy that provides next-generation insights and solutions, she leads projects for corporations and governments on ‘future of work’ research and workforce development programs. Through her leadership, the company has cultivated clients such as Microsoft, IBM, Viasat, Google, Virgin, Mars, the Canadian Government and many more.
Marti Grimminck
Stephanie
Lopa is a medical doctor working in Leadership and Organisational Consulting with a two decade clinical background in child and family psychiatry. She believes our earliest experiences continue to colour how we show up in the systems around us and that we should never grow out of asking the all important ‘why’ questions. A keen advocate for equity in access to health and education; she is delighted to be part of Helloworld’s innovative and progressive approaches to working with marginalised communities.
Stephanie Bruce
Jonathon Stadlen
Jonathan is an award-winning television producer, who set up an independent production company Knickerbockerglory in 2011, with the aim of being the first production company to share its profits with staff and freelancers, and giving to charity. In the last three years they have produced more documentary hours than any other company in the UK. In 2017 Knickerbockerglory were voted the best place to work in TV.
USA Board Members
Liz Smith
Co-Founder & Chief Executive of EYElliance, Liz has spent the last 12 years working in international development. After 5 years with the UN Office of South-South Cooperation, Liz joined VisionSpring as Director of Business Development where she and Founder Jordan Kassalow explored collaboration to provide access to eyeglasses on a global scale. Liz is a graduate of the University of Vermont, a member of the Explorers Club, and two-time National Geographic Society grant recipient for her work documenting endangered song.
Liz Smith

Liz McEnaney
Liz has over fifteen years’ experience in historic preservation, urban design, and non-profit leadership. She has worked with community-based collaborators in locations ranging from New York City to New Delhi, India to Maputo, Mozambique. She is a co-founder of the urban design collaborative Design For. Previously, she served as Executive Director of Sir John Soane’s Museum Foundation. Liz is an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Columbia University Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation.
Liz McEnaney
Anna Southage
As an award-winning Writer-Director and Co-Founder of VR company, moVRshaker productions, Anna’s expertise lies in storytelling. Since 2016 she has also been Creative Director of ‘The Conversation’ - an annual live event hosted by Dame Emma Thompson in aid of the Helen Bamber Foundation, a charity that supports the survivors of trafficking and torture. She has created content for Human Rights advocacy across all media, and worked with both BAFTA and Oscar-winning talent as well as the National Youth Theatre (UK). In 2020 she scripted a BBC4 Radio Appeal which was made on Hello World’s behalf by actor, author and broadcaster, Stephen Fry.
Anna Southgate
Andrew Kimball



















