New York, NY (PRWEB) November 04, 2016
Former New York Giant, Mathias Kiwanuka, has joined the Board of Directors of The Water Trust, a nonprofit organization operating in rural Uganda to expand access to safe water and healthy environments. Kiwanuka, of Ugandan heritage, brings to The Water Trust a deep personal connection to the organization’s mission as well as expertise from a history of philanthropic giving in Uganda, excelling in high-performance sports organizations, and managing businesses.
Kiwanuka issued the following statement:
"I would first like to express my gratitude and appreciation for the ongoing work being done by The Water Trust. Over the past few months I have gotten to know the inner workings of the organization. The board is comprised of intelligent, passionate, and generous individuals who have chosen to dedicate their resources to helping the people of Uganda."
"The people of Uganda are my family. I have always felt a responsibility to do whatever possible to help my family. However, no one can accomplish as much alone as they can with a team. I am thrilled to announce that I have accepted their invitation to join the board of The Water Trust."
"In 2006 I joined another team of like-minded hard workers in the New York Giants. After winning two championships, and creating lifelong friendships, I walked away with a new appreciation for what can be accomplished when a group works together for a purpose. I look forward to joining my new team, The Water Trust, and helping to achieve our current goals. As well as setting and achieving new ones."
Kiwanuka is the grandson of Benedicto Kiwanuka, the first Prime Minister of Uganda, and his family has a long history of dedicated service to Uganda. This has added excitement to The Water Trust’s Uganda team and local partners. “We are all aware of how much the country's history is attached to the Kiwanuka family. The fact that he is coming back in a different mode – it makes me speechless,” said Community Development Officer Peter Okoit Osire.
“I think anyone who’s ever talked to Mathias is struck by the sincerity and depth of his commitment to Uganda,” said Chris Prottas, Executive Director of The Water Trust. “But more than that, he's focused on not just good intentions, but excellent execution and real, sustainable impact – it makes him a great fit for who we are and what we want to achieve.”
This fall Kiwanuka and The Water Trust will have events in Chicago and New York to raise awareness of water, sanitation, and hygiene challenges in rural Uganda. In April 2017, Kiwanuka and several board members will visit The Water Trust’s Uganda office and its village, school, and health facility programs.
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The Water Trust helps rural communities in Uganda struggling with preventable death and disease to create healthy environments with safe water for children and their families to thrive. The organization works in partnership with communities to build critical infrastructure, such as wells and toilets, as well as the capability of communities to maintain the infrastructure and hygienic habits for future generations. Enabled by mobile-base data collection, the organization regularly monitors and evaluates its impact, and pilots new technologies and approaches that increase the sustainability and impact of water, sanitation, and hygiene programs.
