About us
Our Story
Well Wishes for Uganda grew out of a desire to help children in Uganda. As children themselves in 2009, Alicia and Tomi Moran and their friend Kiley were inspired by a discussion with Father Leonard Mukiibi about the lives of people in his home country of Uganda.
From a simple lemonade stand, the children raised funds to sponsor two orphaned schoolchildren.
From a simple lemonade stand, the children raised funds to sponsor two orphaned schoolchildren. Next, funds were raised to provide a well for clean water at the school. And so "Well Wishes for Uganda", an official 501c3 non-profit was born!
There are so many who need help with life’s essentials, and through Well Wishes for Uganda, we continue to raise funds to benefit the people in the area of Nkozi, Uganda through education, nutrition and healthcare.
Our board
Board Members
Dr. Carolyn Malon
Board Member
Carolyn Malon became interested in Uganda after meeting Father Leonard Mukiibi in 2009. Once her family became involved in supporting small humanitarian projects, they accepted Father’s invitation to visit his home country. A few visits later, Carolyn continues to be involved in the lives of her Ugandan friends and “family” and can’t wait until it is safe to return there!
Carolyn is a retired dentist who has enjoyed a variety of volunteer experiences within the dental profession and in her community.
She received her bachelor’s degree from Manhattanville College and earned her dental degree from Georgetown University. Carolyn and her husband Stephen Moran owned their private dental practice for 30 years, and have 2 adult children, both of whom are involved in Well Wishes for Uganda.
Alicia Moran
Board Member
Alicia became interested in helping children in Uganda after meeting Father Leonard and hearing about the young members of his parish. She travelled to Uganda in 2013 to see firsthand the conditions there and was further inspired to continue to support the needs of the Nkozi community. Alicia has recently completing her Master's degree in Occupational Therapy at Quinnipiac University and plans to work with adults in a critical care setting when she receives her license.
Tomi Moran
Board Member
As with Alicia, Tomi was inspired to raise funds to help Ugandan children after meeting Father Leonard. Tomi travelled to Uganda in 2013, and returned in 2014 to fulfil a promise to schoolchildren there. On that trip Tomi helped to lay the ceremonial foundation for a water well which was made possible through Well Wishes for Uganda. Tomi has studied at Tunxis Community College and Central Connecticut State University. Tomi has worked in the healthcare field and currently is employed doing online support for an insurer.
Kiley Phelan
Board Member
Kiley was spending a weekend with the Malon Moran family when she met Father Leonard, and heard about the plight of children in Uganda. Together with Alicia and Tomi Moran, they formed "Project Uganda" and the trio began to raise funds through lemonade stands and backyard carnivals. Well Wishes for Uganda grew out of the children's early project.
Kiley received her BS Degree in Business Administration and Management from the College of Charleston. She currently works as a regional recruiter for TEKsystems, an IT staffing and services company.
Dr. Deborah DeBeradinis
Board Member
During a dental school reunion, Deb’s casual conversation with classmate, Carolyn led to sharing of mutual interests in mission trips. After Deb spoke about her recent dental mission in Guatemala, Carolyn shared her involvement in Uganda. Deb was intrigued, and after many more conversations and two years later she found herself on a plane to Nskozi, Uganda!
Deb received a BS in Biology from Fairfield University, a dental degree from Georgetown Dental School and an orthodontic certificate from Tufts. She retired from her private orthodontic practice after 30 years, and has taught in the orthodontic program at Tufts Dental School.
Deb currently serves as a trustee for a newly established, non-profit assisted-living/memory care facility and is involved in several prayer groups at church. She and her husband, Steve Reichheld, have three children and have just been blessed with their first grandchild!
Father Leonard Mukiibi
Board Member
Fr. Leonard Mukiibi Kasengejje, is a priest of the Archdiocese of Kampala Uganda. Ordained in August 2005, he was educated in Uganda at St. Thomas Acquinas College, Katigondo Seminary, St. Mary’s National Major Seminary Ggaba and has advanced degrees in Philosophy, Theology and Religious Studies from Makerere University and Pontifical Urban University in Rome.
He has served as Associate Pastor at Our Lady of Visitation, Nabbingo Parish and as pastor at Our Lady of the Equator, Nkozi Parish. He currently serves as pastor at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in St. Thomas, Missouri.
Father Leonard is very passionate about seeing people grow their love and faith in God as well as their love of neighbors using their God-given gifts to build God’s kingdom of Love and Peace. His empathy and passion for helping children in need stem from his own upbringing in a family of eight children raised by his single mother after his father died at a young age.
Father loves using his time, talent, and treasure to produce a smile on a cheerless face. God is Good!
Dr. Martin Batte Zinabala
Board Member
As a student, Martin met Dr. Carolyn and Dr. Deb while doing a rotation at Nkozi Hospital. After assisting with a pilot dental project, he became interested in the work that was being done by Well Wishes for Uganda and has been engaged in our work ever since.
Martin is a general dentist who graduated from Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda. He grew up in Mpererwe, a small town on the outskirts of Kampala. He has had work experience in both urban and rural areas of the country and feels that this has shaped his approach to suit any community, and people from various social statuses. Martin has participated in several community outreach programs and clinical research activities in healthcare during his training.
Martin says, "I believe that life has taught me and put me in the best position to be as useful as possible to my countrymen and women as far as my mortal self can stretch. I am grateful that Well Wishes for Uganda gives me the opportunity to be part of a life improving and transforming agenda".