The Kellermann Foundation

10/06/2026

⚕️2020-2022⚕️

In 2020 the Bwindi Community Hospital Intensive Care Unit is built and opens to patients and staff. Before the addition of the B*H ICU, there were 12 functional ICUs in Uganda. That meant a ratio of 1.3 ICU beds per 1 million Ugandans. The majority of the ICUs were over 400 km away from Bwindi as well. The B*H ICU provides 4 more ICU beds and 4 isolated units. It also opened up 22 intensive care treatment spaces.

The first Batwa nursing student graduates from UNSB in 2021. The Jesus Film Project also reaches Batwa settlements through a KF donor. The COVID pandemic is particularly challenging, but emergency funding sustains programs during the shutdown in Uganda.

In 2022, the 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, B*H partners with the University of California Davis in an NIH-funded research effort to identify zoonotic spillover of viruses. The resilience of the community shows here as we see a strong recovery from the unforeseen challenges of the pandemic.

Follow us to hear about more stories of resilience and strength in a community 💚🕊️

10/04/2026

🏠2017-2019🏠

In 2017, the OneStory oral Bible-learning program established by Barbara and Paul Thomas is in full effect. Batwa leaders share Bible stories in their settlements. Additionally, open-air bandas with clean water catchment systems are built in Batwa settlements to be used for worship, meetings, community celebrations, and various projects.

The Nyakatare Maternity Clinic is constructed for remote pre-natal care and hydroelectric power is added to provide continuous electricity in 2018.

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

Interested in sponsoring an interlocking brick home for a family in need? Visit The Kellermann Foundation’s website to learn more 💚🏠🕊️

The work done through KF is incredible, especially when we take a look at where it all started.

10/02/2026

💚💚💚2013-2016💚💚💚

In 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!

The Dalia Lama awards the Unsung Heroes Award of Compassion to the Kellermanns in 2014 for dedicating more than a decade of their lives to serving the Batwa in Uganda. This prestigious international honor is given to outstanding individuals who quietly serve those in need without expectation of recognition.

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

Finally, in 2016 Bwindi Community Hospital adds improved surgical theater lighting, X-ray machine and oxygen concentrators.

These are just the highlights of what was accomplished. Stay tuned to learn more about the Kellermann Foundation’s journey 💚🕊️

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09/28/2026

💚2011-2012💚

Let’s go back a little. The Batwa Development Program started in 2008 under the guidance of Scott and Carol Kellermann to help the Batwa help themselves. Since the indigenous Batwa were removed from the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in 1992, they have been one of the poorest people groups in the world. The BDP’s vision is that the Batwa will emerge from a life of poverty with an improved and sustainable status of life. Its mission is to empower the Batwa community through education, land, water and food security, spiritual growth, civic education, and sustainable income generation so they become valued and law-abiding members of society.

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. These houses are built with poles, reeds, mud and metal roofs.

In 2012 the Batwa Women's Centre holds its first training class. Batwa women learned sewing skills that enable them to sew school uniforms for Batwa children and create a sustainable source of income for their families.

This is just the beginning of the incredible work done through the BDP! 🕊️💚

09/24/2026

09/24/2026

🩺 2004-2010 🩺

In 2004 a group of dedicated supporters establish the Kellermann Foundation to sustain and expand the work of Scott and Carol Kellermann 💚

In 2008 the clinic is renamed Bwindi Community Hospital (B*H) and is accredited by the government of Uganda.

In 2009 B*H constructs an HIV block, and in 2010 adds hydroelectric power. eQuality healthcare insurance is established to reduce healthcare cost for the Batwa.

Follow The Kellermann Foundation to see more incredible progress 💚🕊️

09/14/2026

🌳2000-2003🌳

Dr. Scott and Carol find the Batwa in deplorable condition and treat them at makeshift road-side clinics early on. They discover that life expectancy has fallen to just 28 among adults and age 5 with children.

Large ficus trees are spiritual sanctuaries for the Batwa. They also use the bark to make their clothes and is used as a natural medicine. The large ficus pictured above was the perfect gathering place for the Batwa to receive life-saving medical attention. Dr. Scott would see anywhere between 200 and 400 Mutwa per day.

In 2001 Carol—who is an educator—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 (B*HC).

Stay connected to see how that single-building clinic is transformed into a thriving hospital and nursing school 💚

Interested in learning more about the Batwa and the start of the Kellermann Foundation? Check out our short film “Banished from the Mist.” 🔗 Link in bio

09/04/2026

Then and Now…22 Years of the Kellermann Foundation 🕊️

“Those at the top of the mountain didn’t fall there.” -Marcus Washling

Packs on our backs, walking sticks in hand, we venture towards the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. A towering, all-knowing, life-saving ficus marks the start of our journey. Up and up we climb, following those who have lived in the forest for millennia. Their bare feet welcome the rich soil below them, sensing the familiarity of home. Or what used to be home. We climb. Up. Up. Up. We learn about their way of life, the food they ate, the homes they built, the traditions they have. Hearts full, lungs empty, we reach the top. A thatched hut sits in front of a view of the village below. Mist rises from the forest. Peering through it, we see the green roofs of Bwindi Community Hospital and reflect on the past 22 years.

Your friends at the Kellermann Foundation invite you to join us on a journey through time with Then and Now…22 years of the Kellermann Foundation. Over the next few weeks, we will walk alongside Dr. Scott and Carol Kellermann as the Bwindi Community Hospital is established and the Kellermann Foundation is founded. Follow along to see how that towering ficus tree transformed into one of the best hospitals in Uganda.

08/16/2026

MINISTER OF STATE HONORS BATWA WITH PRESTIGIOUS INVITATION 🕊️

The Minister of State for Tourism, Honorable Susan Nakawukyi invited the Batwa to participate in the World Tourism Day Celebration on Sept. 27 in Mbale. During her recent visit to Bwindi, she said, “I have never been so proud to be a Ugandan. Continue being proud Batwa. Don’t allow your culture to die out. As you get children, also make sure they know this culture. Let’s preserve it as much as we can.”

We agree wholeheartedly! Congratulations to our Batwa friends! 💚

Your support makes a big impact. If you feel called to donate, find the link in our bio 🕊️

08/10/2026

Happy World Indigenous People’s Day! 🕊️

Quick Facts:

-established in 1994 by the UN
-celebrates indigenous people all around the world (including the Batwa!)
-honors unique customs, languages and traditions of native groups

Why is it important to protect and preserve indigenous cultures?

-protects their human rights
-ensures access to healthcare
-prevents unfair treatment of indigenous people
-saves native languages
-the world can learn a lot of valuable skills from indigenous groups
-they have been stewards of some of the world’s most treasured ecosystems
-their culture is beautiful 💚

And much more!

🔗 Head over to the Kellermann Foundation’s website to learn more about the Batwa and ways you can show your support 🕊️

Credit goes to the amazing for photos 1-6 🤍