Fr. Robert Seraph Aliunzi
Co-Founder & Board Member
I am Reverend Father Robert Seraph Aliunzi, a Catholic Priest, born and raised in Uganda but now naturalized as an American citizen since 2013. I am currently serving at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, in the Diocese of Phoenix. I have served in the diocese of Phoenix for over 18 years and in different capacities including most recently as the Pastor of St. Andrew the Apostle in Chandler, Arizona. Before that I also served as Pastor of St. James for ten years, eight years as the Dean of the Northwest Deanery, eight years in the Presbyteral Council and College of Consultors in the diocese. And currently, I am also serving another term in the Presbyteral Council, besides being on several boards and Commissions in the diocese of Phoenix. I'm so excited to have the opportunity to introduce you to E3 Africa, a (501c3) non-profit, committed to educating the orphaned, impoverished, and often forgotten of God's children in Uganda and the neighboring regions of Africa.
The founding of E3 Africa was inspired by my personal life experiences. Raised in a family of ten children, we lost our father when I was five years old and my mother a year later. Due to this tragedy, my oldest teenage brother was prematurely thrust into the role of head of our family and not having had any experience nor inheritance from our parents we faced the effects of severe poverty. However, eventually my elder brother found a way to send me to school. But the most productive and sensitive years of my youth were marred by hunger, sickness, fear, threats to my life, expulsion from school, and extreme isolation and loneliness. These experiences created a profound sense of loss that haunted me for many years.
Reflecting, on these experiences in hindsight however, I came to realize that they were blessings in disguise, from God that taught me about compassion, love, forgiveness, and understanding of other people’s pains. I also realized that had it not been for the intervention of many kind people along the way, I would never have been able to acquire my seminary education and become a priest. My childhood experiences, therefore, shaped my adult world and created in me a passion for helping other orphans and poor children. They helped to define my priesthood in no small way and "Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers, that, you do unto me" (Mt.25:40), became my inspiration.
In gratitude, I began paying the tuition and living expenses of other Ugandan orphans who were so like me while still in Uganda. In 2004, I was sent by my then religious order to the United States and assigned to Saint Thomas Aquinas parish in Avondale, Arizona as an Associate Pastor. Six months later, I was appointed by bishop Thomas Olmsted as the Pastor of St. James Parish in Glendale in 2005. It was at St. James that a parishioner named Rosalie Weller and I founded a parish outreach ministry to help sponsor the education of orphans and poor children and with much support of the parishioners of St. James, it began to experience an exponential growth. Later that year, to ensure that funds are faithfully utilized for the intended purpose of sending children to school, I helped found, in Uganda, a registered Non-Governmental Organization (NGO.) known as Efforts to Educate the Needy Children of Uganda (EENU). Drawn from this name, EENU-USA came to be the name we adopted for our newly formed outreach ministry at St. James Two years later, under the advice of Bishop Thomas Olmsted of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix, the ministry became a registered 501(c)(3) non- profit organization called EENU-USA, Inc. in 2007. In 2013, we rebranded our organization here in the United States, E3 Africa, to reflect our mission of Educating, Enriching, and Empowering the youth in Uganda.
From its inception, the goal of E3 Africa has been to provide educational opportunities for secondary students through funding and sponsorship. Today we have hundreds of children’s education being sponsored by some very generous people from the United States, with more children still on the waiting list for this same incredible and life-changing opportunity. Through E3 Africa sponsorship, over five hundred young people have graduated and are now making a difference in their communities in different fields. E3 Africa has a Board of Directors both in Uganda and here in the United States to manage the two organizations. Joseph Ambayo, our Ugandan Executive Director, manages the ground operations in Uganda after years of volunteering his time to E3 Africa. As a former secondary school teacher and school administrator, Joseph has a solid understanding of the Ugandan educational system, teen psychology, and behavioral attitudes. Being raised as an orphan himself, he also has a great passion for helping children.
Joseph has developed a strong relationship with the personnel of the various schools that E3 Africa students attend nation-wide. He has developed career guidance and counseling seminars for the students and their guardians. He monitors the progress and behavior of each student through personal visits to their respective schools. The focus of E3 Africa is to develop educated, psychologically healthy young adults, capable of becoming productive citizens and leaders of Uganda. By bringing the students together, they are learning to deal with their differences and conflicts in productive ways. They are learning to appreciate that they are all “one people” who can live peacefully together through Joseph’s promotion of the “E3 Africa Family”. This vision is particularly crucial because most of these students are orphans who have suffered years of conflicts arising from tribal, ethnic, and religious differences. Having experienced the loss of parents, siblings, and other family members, these children often struggle with issues of abandonment and hopelessness. By building an E3 Africa family, we help our students to develop an identity, self-awareness, and self-confidence; they now belong. This attitude is much appreciated by the educators of the students as being a uniquely E3 Africa quality and is credited with helping our E3 Africa students achieve a 98% success rate in being promoted to the next educational level.
Student sponsorship is essential to our ability to educate poor, rural Ugandan youth. We are always interested in joining up with persons and organizations with interest in education, business, and international affairs to work with us on our Board of Directors and Sponsorship, School Construction, Fundraising, Finance, Communications, and Board Development committees. In 2020 we officially opened our own secondary school known as, St. Thomas Aquinas College, Erepi, in Moyo, northern Uganda, where all our students going forward will be educated. A multipurpose hall, three classroom buildings, two girls’ and boys’ dormitories, a chapel, a kitchen, a science laboratory, a clinic and a cafeteria have already been constructed. We have also acquired a 100-acre farmland to provide food for the school. However, we still have four more classroom blocks, a library, an information technology center, dining hall and administration building, and teachers houses to accommodate the teachers on campus so as to provide the needed security for our students. Our goal is to eventually accommodate 800 students on campus. The objective of this school is not only to provide quality and affordable education, but also to include in the dominant curriculum, conflict resolution and peace education components to mitigate the culture of violence in which most of our children have been born and brought up due to the protracted years of conflicts in the region. I share our successes, hopes, and dreams with you in anticipation that you will be inspired to join us in the warm glow of satisfaction that one receives from helping those so much less fortunate than ourselves. Can you join me in making a difference in the life of a child? You can do this through the different ways proposed in our website in this link:
Rosalie Weller
Co-Founder
In Loving Memory of E3 Africa's Co-Founder, Mama Rosalie Weller: February 13, 1932-August 16, 2021
A Message from Father Robert Aliunzi: Rosalie was a powerful force for good in the world, working tirelessly to help the less fortunate. Her commitment to the vulnerable children of Uganda earned their love and the title of "Mama Rosalie" a name after which our first girls' dormitory at our school, St. Thomas Aquinas College, is named. In her last days, she reminded us that E3 Africa has been God’s mission and that she and I are merely instruments, that He has guided and supported us from the beginning till now, and that we should always be grateful to God.
Words of Wisdom: My Passion, My Joy by Rosalie Weller
Have you ever wondered why you have so much, and there are so many people in the world who have so little? These were thoughts that kept echoing through my head when two "potentially life-altering" family events ended on a happy note. On Christmas Eve, 2001, our middle son's wife experienced a ruptured brain aneurysm - and recovered with few ill effects. We spent that Christmas at Barrow’s Neurological Hospital. Christmas Day in 2004 was spent glued to the television. Our youngest son and his wife escaped the tsunami in Thailand by 40 feet. Their bungalow was on a cliff. Either event could have altered my life forever.
Why were we so blessed? The only answer I had – we needed to be extremely grateful. We needed to show this gratitude in some concrete way. The world was responding to the effects of the tsunami. But, what about other unfortunate people in the world? What should we do? So my search began. The first week Father Robert came to our parish, I met with him. We discussed the cost for providing for a family in his home country. He also mentioned the need to help vulnerable youth in Uganda get an education – a luxury, not a right. As a former teacher, his suggestion clicked. Here was the answer to my search! After sponsoring Agnes, the first student in the EENU-USA program, I suggested that this become a parish ministry. So, in May 2005, the first steps began for the development of EENU in the U.S. I have done many volunteer things in my life, in my community and in my church. This was my most daunting dream to undertake. As Co-Founder of E3 Africa along with help from some very knowledgeable volunteers, this dream became a reality in November 2005. E3 Africa began with 43 students sponsored by friends, family and parish members.
There have been many struggles, fears, challenges and wonders since the initiation of E3 Africa to the people of the U.S. As a mother, grandmother, teacher, and counselor, E3 Africa has been my on-going commitment to show my gratitude by having the opportunity to help those who have so little. Growing up on a farm in Missouri, I had ample opportunity to witness charity among neighbors. It was a way of life. My mother had died when I was three years old and my grandparents were wonderful models who taught me to give to others. Compassion for the many orphans in the E3 Africa program has been another motivator. Poverty, lack of good medical attention and the necessities of life are evident in the U.S., but not to the degree of the vulnerable youth of Uganda. My husband of 68 years, and our three sons and their families, have brought much happiness to my life. Also, knowing that we are giving hope to the vulnerable youth of Uganda, adds to the purpose of my life. I am committed to the mission of E3 Africa. I was President for several years but have passed the torch to younger and more capable people. E3 Africa has provided educational opportunities for over 500 students as of yet. My dream – that many more vulnerable children in Uganda are given these opportunities and may my dream become yours.
Micki Schroeder, SHRM-CP, PHR
Chair
Founder and CEO of Trilinear HR, Micki Schroeder, is passionate about technology, business processes and the legal aspect of human resources. Having served the Human Resources sector for more than two decades, Trilinear HR recognizes a changing marketplace and designs its services and expertise to meet the business needs of today’s world. As a solution and UX-focused organization, the Trilinear HR team is dedicated to ensuring an effortless and straightforward process when managing the needs of their clients. Excellent resources, up-to-date HR industry knowledge in practice, compliance, and technology, with a generous dose of integrity, serve as the basis of a full line of HR services.
Micki has volunteered her time and talents when not busy serving clients with charitable and civic-related organizations as indicated below:
E3 Africa:
Chairman, Board Directors - A Catholic non-profit organization committed to educating the orphaned, impoverished, and often forgotten children in Uganda.
Arizona Society of Human Resource Management (AZSHRM):
Board of Director, Membership and Marketing Director, Conference Director - The AZSHRM Conference typically hosts 1400 HR professionals. The conference includes a week of learning and networking. As the Conference Director in 2020, Micki faced a significant challenge. The COVID-19 global pandemic required switching gears and transforming an in-person conference into a virtual platform in less than three months. Moving into problem-solving mode, Micki led her team to organize one of the most profitable conferences in AZSHRM’s history, with support from national and
international vendors. Most importantly, HR professionals across the globe were able to attend the educational sessions as planned and earn the continuing education credits necessary to maintain their certifications as well as keep current on issues affecting HR during this critical time.
Tepeyac Leadership, Inc.:
Secretary, National Board of Directors, Alumni Secretary, Cohort Mentor, Event Planning Team
City of Chandler:
Member, Employee Merit Review Board
City of Maricopa:
Chairperson, Employee Merit Review Board, Member, Public Safety Personnel Retirement Board, Parent Advisory Board
Seton Catholic Preparatory High School:
Vice President, Parent Advisory Board, Finance Committee Member
Career Connectors, Gilbert, AZ
Volunteer LinkedIn Coach
Fundraiser/Autism organizations in recognition of her children
Church catechetical classes
Jr. High Edge, LIFE Teen
Micki has enjoyed 34 years of marriage to her husband Mike. They share a love of serving Christ. Mike assists in the role of Minister of Care and Sacristan at St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church and attended Diaconate formation for 4 years. Micki and Mike have been blessed with 4 children. Amber, Gabe, Simon & Rebekah (twins). Micki has spent much of her life in Arizona, but also lived in Sunnyvale, CA, LaGrange, IL, and Beaverton, OR. working with Native American middle school and high school teens.
Nate Cottrell
Chair Elect
Nate received a degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Arizona in 1994. He is the owner of PRE-CEG, an engineering and field services company in Phoenix and Tucson. The company specializes in commercial land development in Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and California. Nate was married to Heather Cottrell in 1993. Heather, deaf from birth, has been a special needs teacher at the Phoenix Day School for the Deaf in Phoenix since 1999. They have five children ranging from 9 to 23 years old, and the entire family is bilingual (sign language and English). Nate is active at their Catholic parish, St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Avondale, AZ. He has served on the parish council and finance council there and is active in his local council of the Knights of Columbus. Nate was elected to the position of Chairman of E3 Africa in February 2019, having previously served as Chair-Elect. With his construction industry experience, he chairs the school construction committee at E3 as they work toward building the school campus and opening the new secondary school in Moyo, northern Uganda.
Mike Ingersoll
Advisor To The Chair
Mike is principal and owner of a private consulting firm that assists clients with a wide range of human resources services. He specializes in executive coaching and mentoring; employee relations; compensation; and helping organizations recruit and hire the right people. He is an International Public Management Association Certified Professional and a graduate of the City of Phoenix Management Academy. Mike holds a Bachelor’s degree in Education from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. Mike and his wife, Vivian, are members of Saint Thomas More parish, where they serve as Eucharistic ministers. They also volunteer at the Chris Becker Dining Hall for The Society of St. Vincent DePaul. In addition to their two children and four grandchildren, Mike and Vivian sponsor a child in Uganda through E3 Africa and one in Bolivia.
Sr. Betty Benjamine
Board Member
Sister Betty is a Religious Missionary Sister of the Sacred Heart of Jesus who was born in Uganda. She was raised in South Sudan and is South Sudanese by nationality. Sister Betty’s philanthropy work includes working with street children and refugees in Sudan, Khartoum; working to rescue both Muslim children born out of wedlock and their mothers at risk of being killed in Sudan; she currently works with refugees from Africa and the Middle East through Catholic Charities Programs in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix. Her work includes helping victims of domestic violence and homeless veterans, drug addicts, and prostitutes in the greater Phoenix area. Sister Betty holds a degree in Early Childhood Education from Kyambogo University, Kampala, Uganda.
Joe Weller
Board Member
Joe Weller has been part of the Board of Directors since 2014 and in 2021 took the seat as Chairman. A background in engineering and international business are assets to E3 Africa’s team. Married to wife Jeane, and father to three adult children, he resides in Texas with his family.
Monica Van Der Werf
Board Member
Monica believes that each individual effort makes a synergistic difference in creating a better world for ALL people. This was instilled in her by her parents, 8 siblings and her Catholic Education. Often involved with charitable organizations, Monica’s is particularly drawn to homelessness, hunger and education. She has been on the E3Africa board for over 17 years. Monica has an extraordinary 25-year-old child works in health care administration. She was born in Wausau, WI, but has lived the majority of her life in California and Arizona. Education: Bachelor’s in Business Administration (University of San Diego) and Masters in Finance (San Diego State University). Monica enjoys fine arts, reading, travel adventure and scrapbooking!
Erica Bender
Board Member
Erica joined the board in May 2022 after hearing about Fr. Robert's passion for the mission at her home parish of St. Andrew the Apostle. She has her bachelor's in Biomedical Engineering from Grand Canyon University and is currently working as a compliance engineer at a medical device manufacturing company that specializes in producing x-ray machines. She has a passion for service and has been involved with many other ministries within her parish and beyond. She also served as a long term volunteer with Glenmary Home Missioners in TN for a year after graduating college and hopes to leverage her experience for E3.
Bill Marcotte
Board Member
Bill has served in parish and diocesan ministries since the mid 1990’s as a director of Youth & Young Adult Evangelization at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Diocesan Director of Youth & Young Adult Evangelization, Pastoral Associate & Parish Manager of St. Andrew The Apostle in Chandler, Founder of Youth Arise North America, a Catholic School of Evangelization, Co-Founder of Christus Vivit Fellowship, a missionary discipleship apostolate to young adults, and an adjunct professor of Theology for the Institute of Catholic Theology in partnership with Franciscan University of Steubenville, and the Kino Institute, specializing in The Word of God: Scripture and Tradition.
Bill holds a Master of Theology degree from the University of San Francisco, has been a frequent workshop speaker at the St. John Bosco Catechetical Conference in Steubenville, Ohio and speaks at various conferences and workshops throughout the Diocese of Phoenix. He also serves as an active board member of Pentecost Today - USA, and VIDES-USA, a Catholic voluntary missionary apostolate of the Salesians.
He married his lovely wife Beth in January of 1987. They have five children and nine grandchildren: Bill and his family reside in Tempe and attend Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Parish.