Kellermann Foundation Mission Statement

Inspired by the work of Dr. Scott and Carol Kellermann  the foundation’s mission is to provide the funds necessary to sustain the medical and spiritual works being accomplished to support the Batwa pygmies and the adjacent tribal groups of Uganda on a continuing basis. These include the expenses involved in the purchase of land, construction of a hospital and clinics, and the building of schools and homes. The Foundation also supports the, supplying of equipment, goods, services and salaries necessary to meet these needs.

In addition, the Foundation will serve as a source of information for individuals and groups about the progress and accomplishments of the work in Uganda. It will also seek to promote and support those interested in traveling to Uganda to aid and assist this work.The Kellermann Foundation is organized under the Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation Law for charitable purposes and humanitarian aid.

 

Projects of the Kellermann Foundation

The Kellermann Foundation supports a variety of projects in Uganda. With a vision of poverty alleviation; the scope of the work has been broad but with much input from the Batwa pygmies. The areas of need identified by the Batwa were health, education; land acquisition, home building, and disease prevention as well the preservation of their culture. To this end a hospital has been constructed and many disease prevention programs implemented. About Bwindi Community Hospital... Scott Kellermann is the founder of the Bwindi Community Hospital.

Several schools have been constructed where hundreds of Batwa children are being educated, provided with scholastic materials and fed daily. Additionally, adult literacy programs are in place at each school.

Several hundred acres of land has been acquired for the Batwa and homes are being constructed on a regular basis.

Rotary International has realized the need to provide clean water and sanitation as well as the prevention of malnutrition. Studies have indicated that less than 40% of the population has access to clean water and sanitation. Rotary, through a Health, Hunger and Humanity grant, is assuring clean water trough rainwater catchment and protecting of springs. Rotarians have also assisted with refugees fleeing the conflict in neighboring DRC.

On 100 acres of land adjacent to the Bwindi Forest the Batwa have created a Cultural Preservation Center where the Batwa children can be brought to hear their legends, traditions and song as well as experience how life was lived in the forest. This area is used for generation of revenues through tourism.

The Batwa have established their own organization “The Batwa Development Program” which is representative of all the Batwa and is empowering the Batwa to chart their own future.
More about this program...

The Batwa are excellent weavers of baskets which are being imported into the US and the proceeds returning to the Batwa Development Program.
See the Batwa Baskets...

 

Documentaries

Please take a few minutes to veiw these documentaries about the Batwa Pygmies, Bwindi, and The Kellermann Foundation

Video by Alex Wolf – Land of Pygmies Land of Gorillas

Uganda Photo Documentary by Phyllis Atha

 

The gorillas in the Bwindi forest

Helping the Pygmies

The previous inhabitants of the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Uganda, the Batwa pygmies faced extinction. The Bwindi Forest is home to the endangered mountain gorilla. There are 650 mountain gorillas world-wide; 350 reside within the Bwindi. In 1994 the Bwindi Forest was designated a “World Heritage Site” in order to protect the gorillas. As a result the Batwa pygmies were evicted from the forest and as hunter/gatherers, having no title to land they were given no compensation.

Under the auspices of the Episcopal Church in 2000, a survey of the Batwa was undertaken by the Kellermanns.  The study indicated that four out of every ten babies never reached their fifth birthday and of every 120 pregnant mothers one died giving birth. It was found that the Batwa had a life-expectancy of only 28 years and an annual income of $25. The need for medical care and poverty alleviation was enormous, not only for the Batwa, but for the 250,000 other residents in this remote corner of Uganda.

Dr. Kellermann and Carol returned to Nevada County, closed his very successful medical practice and moved to Uganda. Much work that had been initially started by Diane Stanton of Dallas, Texas was expanded.

Members of the Nevada County, Ca community and the diocese of Dallas raised money for a simple clinic and subsequently  a 22 bed Children’s/ Maternity hospital. This building was dedicated in June, 2004 by the U.S. ambassador to Uganda, Jimmy Kolker.

Since these humble beginnings the Bwindi Hospital is now a full service institution with lab, X-ray, maternity, surgical services as well as HIV prevention and treatment. The Bwindi Hospital offers a full complement of community and public health outreaches and supports several outlying clinics.

Rotary International has been instrumental supporting this work. Rotary has supplied an X-Ray and Ultrasound unit, equipment for the operating theater and through a 3H grant is providing for clean water and sanitation and animal husbandry to prevent malnutrition. Through the tireless dedication of Rotary and the numerous volunteers, much progress has been made towards the provision of quality health care.

We urge you to join with us in bringing the Batwa out of their cycle of poverty.

Kellermann Foundation Board of Directors R. Simi Lyss, M.D., President Harry Auld Andrew Chang, M.D. Jean Creasey, D.D.S. Don Fultz Rob Michelin, M.D. FACOG James Phillips, Attorney at Law