About us
Who We Are
Villa Maria Children Foundation (VMCF) is a registered nonprofit organization supporting orphaned and vulnerable children in Mpigi District. Founded in 2002 by Rev. Fr. Edward Bwanika, the organization was inspired by his personal experience as an orphan and his desire to give hope and care to children in need.
Located in Nabyewanga along the Kampala–Masaka Highway, VMCF provides education, skills training, spiritual guidance, and sustainable agricultural programs through its flagship project, Queen of Peace Learning Center. The foundation also operates coffee farming, crop production, and animal farming projects to support children and strengthen community development.
With the support of generous donors and partners, including the Kremer family, the foundation continues restoring hope and creating opportunities for vulnerable children.
FOUNDER
Rev. Fr. Bwanika Edward
Founder of Villa Maria Children Foundation and Queen of Peace Learning Centre. Inspired by personal life experiences and compassion for vulnerable children, he dedicated his life to restoring hope through education, faith, agriculture, and community empowerment in Uganda.
Our History
Rev. Fr. Edward Bwanika was born in Villa Maria, Masaka, Uganda, in 1971. Following the death of his beloved mother, he was deeply moved by the struggles faced by orphaned children. Although he had limited financial resources, he was determined to make a difference, beginning with his own family. At the time, seven younger siblings depended on support to continue their education after the loss of a parent who had played a major role in their academic journey.
In 2002, Fr. Edward extended his concern beyond his family and identified many other orphaned children who had lost hope for a brighter future. With the support of compassionate friends in the United States, approximately 20 orphaned children were enrolled in the foundation’s care and sponsorship program.
As the need continued to grow, Villa Maria Children Foundation was officially registered as a nonprofit organization with Mpigi District in 2005. Inspired by the increasing number of vulnerable children, Fr. Edward developed a vision of supporting more than 500 boys and girls between the ages of 5 and 16.
Since 2003, the foundation has positively impacted the lives of more than 300 orphaned and disadvantaged children through educational support, care, mentorship, and community-based programs. Today, Villa Maria Children Foundation continues its mission of restoring hope and creating opportunities for vulnerable children to build successful and meaningful lives.
Education Program
For more than 15 years, children supported by Villa Maria Children Foundation attended nine different primary schools across the region. While this arrangement enabled many orphaned and vulnerable children to access education, managing and supporting students across multiple schools presented significant challenges.
To strengthen the quality of education and provide a more nurturing learning environment, the foundation established Queen of Peace Learning Center at its headquarters in Nabyewanga, Mpigi District. Today, all children in elementary school under the foundation’s care receive their education at Queen of Peace Learning Center, where they benefit from quality instruction, hands-on skills training, moral formation, and a supportive community environment.
Students who progress to high school are enrolled in carefully selected institutions that provide both quality education and strong spiritual values. Many of these students attend Holy Trinity Secondary School, Kawango–Nkozi, Mpigi District, where they continue their academic and personal development in a faith-centered environment.
Through this educational model, Villa Maria Children Foundation is committed to equipping children with the knowledge, character, and skills they need to become responsible leaders and productive members of society.
Our approach
Our Mission
To support orphans and vulnerable children through education, agriculture, community empowerment, and partnerships with donors.
At Villa Maria Children Foundation, our mission is to support orphans and vulnerable children through education, agriculture, community empowerment, and partnerships with donors.
We believe that every child deserves love, care, protection, and the opportunity to build a better future regardless of their background or life circumstances. Guided by compassion and faith, we are committed to restoring hope and improving the lives of children and families within our communities.
Our Vision
To build a future where every vulnerable child has access to education, care, hope, and equal opportunities in life.
At Villa Maria Children Foundation, we dream of a community where no child is left behind because of poverty, loss, or difficult life circumstances. We envision children growing up in safe and supportive environments where they are valued, protected, educated, and empowered to achieve their full potential.
Through education, agriculture, community empowerment, and strong partnerships, we aim to create lasting change that transforms not only the lives of vulnerable children but also the communities around them.
Music, Dance, and Drama
At Queen of Peace Learning Center, we believe that education extends beyond the classroom. Our Music, Dance, and Drama (MDD) program provides children with opportunities to discover their talents, build confidence, and express themselves creatively.
Through traditional and contemporary music, cultural dances, drama performances, poetry, and public presentations, students develop communication skills, teamwork, leadership, and self-confidence. The program also helps preserve Uganda’s rich cultural heritage while promoting discipline, creativity, and social development.
Our Supporters Include
Jerry and Jeanne Kremer,Alexandria, Kentucky supporters,St. John XXIII, Middletown, Cincinnati, Ohio,Bob Schutzman,Cathy Henry,Mission Fund – Covington Diocese, Kentucky, St. Petersburg Diocese, Florida
The Kremer Family Story
We are especially privileged to have the support of the Kremer family from Alexandria, Kentucky, USA. Almost from the beginning of our journey, they became part of our mission after visiting Uganda during a trip organized by the mission group known as Hope for Kabingo.
During their visit, they made a side trip to our home in Nabyewanga where they witnessed the difficult living conditions faced by many orphaned and vulnerable children. They were deeply touched by the urgent need to support children who had no one to care for them and who struggled daily with very little food, sometimes surviving only on a minimal cup of porridge made from corn flour mixed with water.
When the Kremer family returned to the United States, their hearts remained connected to the children they had met. Jeanne Kremer especially took the initiative to begin sending support to help provide for at least a few children under our care. Over time, she mobilized other friends and supporters who willingly joined the mission and accepted to sponsor children supported by Villa Maria Children Foundation.
Their compassion, generosity, and continued support have helped restore hope and improve the lives of many vulnerable children.
Mr. Bill Butler
We are grateful to welcome Mr. Bill Butler, Founder of the Bill Butler Foundation in Covington, Kentucky, USA, as a supporter of Villa Maria Children Foundation. His generous contribution toward the education and skills development of orphaned and vulnerable children marks an important milestone in our mission.
We sincerely thank Mr. Butler for his kindness and generosity and invite other people of goodwill to join us in transforming lives and building a brighter future for children in need.
