Then…and now: 20 Years of the Kellermann Foundation in Pictures

Sep 29

Written By Brendan Kimbrough

2000 : the early days of roadside clinics

2024 : still very involved in the work in Uganda

Today, Sunday, September 29th, 2024, marks the Twentieth Anniversary of the formation of the Kellermann Foundation. Recognizing the faithful and sacrificial work of Dr. Scott and Carol Kellermann, Dick Panzica, Don Fultz and Robert Michelin gathered around Dick’s kitchen table with Scott to form a 501 (c)(3) foundation to oversee and guide the work of the Bwindi Community Health Center (BCHC) as it was named at the time.

In the years to come the Kellermann Foundation would grow to have three fully-operational partner ministries:

Bwindi Community Hospital
Uganda Nursing School Bwindi
The Batwa Development Program

Over the last 20 years these organizations have been the means by which hope and health have been extended to the Batwa people and thousands like them living within the surrounding community.

Highlights of the last 20 years in pictures:

2000

Dr. Scott and Carol find the Batwa in deplorable condition and treat them at makeshift road-side clinics early on. Life expectancy they discover has fallen to just 28 among adults and age 5 with children. In 2001 Carol starts the first school with an enrollment of 40 children, and in 2003 construction begins on the single-building clinic named Bwindi Community Health Centre (BCHC).

2004

A group of dedicated supporters establish the Kellermann Foundation to sustain and expand the work of Scott and Carol Kellermann.

2008

The clinic is renamed Bwindi Community Hospital (BCH) and is accredited by the government of Uganda. In 2009 BCH constructs an HIV block, and in 2010 adds hydroelectric power. eQuality healthcare insurance is established to reduce healthcare cost for the Batwa.

2011

In 2011 the Batwa Experience hosts its first cultural retreat to teach young Batwa about their heritage. By this time nearly 100 homes have been built in the Batwa settlements adjacent to the rainforest.

2012

The Batwa Women's Centre holds its first training class.

2013

Uganda Nursing School Bwindi opens with the enrollment of 13 students. Within a few years the enrollment increases to 400 nursing students which include Batwa students.

2014

The Dalia Lama awards the Unsung Heroes Award to the Kellermanns.

2015

Sylvia Kokunda, the first female among the Batwa to graduate from university with a master's degree, speaks to the U.N. about the Batwa.

2015

Daniel and Rachel Jamison begin their missionary work at Bwindi Community Guest House and Bwindi Community Hospital.

2016

BCH adds improved surgical theater lighting, X-ray machine and oxygen concentrator.

2016

Barbara and Paul Thomas launch the OneStory oral Bible-learning program to Batwa leaders who then expand into the settlements.

2017

Open-air bandas with clean water catchment systems are built in Batwa settlements to be used for worship, meetings, community celebrations, and various projects.

2018

The Nyakatare Maternity Clinic is constructed for remote pre-natal care and hydroelectric power is added to provide continuous electricity.

2019

The first interlocking-brick home is built which is more durable and requires no cutting of wood to dry the bricks which are made by compression and only need to air-dry.

2019

The Uganda Nursing School Bwindi Skills Lab and teaching theatre is constructed and opens.

2020

The BCH Intensive Care Unit is built and opens to patients and staff.

2021

The first Batwa nursing student graduates from UNSB. The Jesus Film Project reaches Batwa settlements through a KF donor.

2021

Emergency funding sustains programs during the COVID pandemic shutdown in Uganda.

2022

Education program expands to reach over 1,500 students, The Batwa Women's Centre receives the Gold Standard Award sewing reusable sanitary pads to keep girls in school. Also in 2022, BCH partners with the University of California Davis in an NIH-funded research effort to identify zoonotic spillover of viruses.