Meet our U.S. Team
Laura Baird is a freelance writer who loves to travel, eat, and watch soccer. She holds a master’s degree in history from Loyola University in Chicago. She is a former board member of the Oconomowoc Public Education Foundation and volunteer at the Oconomowoc Food Pantry.
Laura Baird, President,
Co-founder
Paula is retired following careers in event planning and marketing. Her passions include photography and travel. She was a founding member of a scholarship initiative, YES (Youth Education Scholarships) and brings 14 years of cultural experiences and relationships accompanying Tanzanians through Third World challenges.
Paula Seffrood, Secretary, Co-founder
Steve is a son, father to one, and friend to many who enjoys traveling, biking, kayaking, and golfing. His adult life has seen his IT career grow from humble beginnings to a challenging, rewarding position at a global industrial automation company. He currently volunteers at a food pantry in Milwaukee and serves as a commissioned Stephen Minister.
Steve Bell, Treasurer
Shana Quandt, Vice-President
Meet our Tanzania Team
Shana is a wife, mother to two, and a dentist. She enjoys fitness, dancing, being outdoors, eating good food, family time, and performing in community theater. She admires Big Five Tanzania's commitment to building mutually beneficial relationships within the community it serves. She brings her dentistry expertise to healthcare projects and has a special interest in fluorosis in water.
Dr. Glory Kweka, Tanzania Team Member
Glory received her Doctor of Medicine degree at the Hubert Kairuki Memorial University in Dar es Salaam in 2022. She completed her internship at KCMC Hospital in Kilimanjaro and currently works at Kibong’oto Infectious Disease Hospital at Siha Kilimanjaro.
Elineema Nassari, Tanzania Team Member
Elineema is the Director of Mt. Meru Astronomical Observatory (MMAO), which provides hands-on science education to Tanzanian youth. The observatory features a 12” Cave-Cassegrain telescope, several portable reflector and refractor telescopes, and a growing library of books and periodicals. He is currently completing his master’s degree in Curriculum Instruction at Mwenge Catholic University in Moshi.
PARTNERS
Based in Arusha, Tanzania, Kyosei Foundation is an NGO that operates a primary school for vulnerable children and conducts workshops for people of low socioeconomic status. They seek to eradicate poverty through education, build up the community, and offer hope for a better future.
Education for a Bright Future is a USA-based nonprofit that helps children in Tanzania achieve their highest potential through education, creating lasting solutions to poverty.
Perma Mercy is a Tanzania-based NGO that believes quality nutrition, education, and accountability all play equal roles in achieving a healthy and balanced life.