Meet Our Local Heroes

At the heart of GRACE Cares' work are local heroes - individuals born or living in the communities they serve who deeply understand their community's unique needs. Their insight inspires solutions that align perfectly with local values and culture. GRACE Cares provides these heroes with crucial support, helping them build and strengthen local organizations that leverage existing resources for community benefit. This partnership ensures locally-created solutions address local challenges, making them more effective and sustainable in the long run.

Beck Banda, YOCUPA

Dr. Beck Stanley Banda is a public health expert and Theatre for Community Action specialist with over 28 years of experience. He pioneered Safe Motherhood Action Groups (SMAGs) and 7 Aside ASHAGs, using theatre-based outreach for health and social change.

Dr. Banda specializes in sexual and reproductive health, youth empowerment, and gender-based violence prevention. He has served on multiple boards, including the Zambia National AIDS Council, and currently represents Southern Africa on the Brave Movement Africa Task Force, championing child protection and community-driven interventions across the region.

Blessed Ngoma, Munali Youth Empowerment Program

Blessed is from Zambia, where he worked in HIV prevention before meeting his wife Libby, a Peace Corps Volunteer. Since moving to Vermont in 2008, where he works as a District Epidemiologist, he has remained committed to helping his home community in Zambia.

The MYEP's Mobile Book Program serves low-income families in Chongwe and Lusaka, providing children with literacy sessions, safe play spaces, and storytelling opportunities. The program also offers parents nutrition and sanitation education through cookery classes, giving families hope and practical skills for a better future.

Jefferson Guyo Badiva, WATHA

Jefferson Guyo Badiva was born and raised in Kenya's Galana area, coming from the Watha community - a Cushitic people living in the semi-arid southeastern region. After enrolling in university in 2015, he is pursuing a law degree in Nairobi with the goal of helping his people gain official recognition as an ethnic group in Kenya. This recognition would allow them to preserve their ancestral territories and cultural identity for future generations. Guyo is collaborating with GRACE Cares on a water project to help his community access clean drinking water, reduce waterborne diseases, and prevent crocodile attacks.

Marissa Doiron, Project Hearts

Marissa is currently based in Baitoa, Dominican Republic, where she is the Executive Director of Project Hearts, In this role, Marissa leads a team of locals who empower residents with education and practical knowledge, especially in regard to health and sanitation. As Project Hearts supports the community so they can transform their own neighborhoods, GRACE Cares supports the organization with technical guidance. For over 15 years Marissa has worked in nonprofit administration and is still passionate about bringing light to dark places and situations.

Namaya, B4 Peace

Dr. Namaya (MIA, MSN, D.Sci.), poet and artist with lifelong dedication to peace building. He served in Peace Corps and Catholic Relief Services before founding GRACE Cares in 2002 with his wife Zoe Kopp and nephew Kenneth Giancola. With degrees from the School for International Training and as Director of B4 Peace, he has led projects in Chile, Dominican Republic, Palestine, Vietnam and the US.

Wilfred Antonio Son Sotz, GuateBuena Association

Born in 1990 in San Juan Comalapa, Guatemala with Maya Kaqchikel ancestry, Wilfred was raised in a humble home with strong values. Inspired by his grandfather and mother's community leadership, he has dedicated himself to supporting vulnerable families and teaching natural family planning. Today, he lives with his wife and two children while serving as director of GuateBuena, which he leads alongside founder Andrew Becker and GRACE Cares.