"Because of our Peace Corps service Bill and I left Africa not with a sense of despair and hopelessness but with strong feelings of optimism and faith in the Africans to build a brighter future, a future of their own making. We know this because we were privileged to especially see that happening at St. Mary’s."
—Holly Copeland, Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Uganda 2011-2013, Co-founder Family Copeland Foundation
The Family Copeland Foundation provides scholarships to disadvantaged Ugandan women to attend St. Mary's Midwifery Training School in Kalongo, Uganda.
The foundation is a 501 C 3 public charity and all donations are fully tax deductible.
100% of your gift supports midwives-in-training in northern Uganda.
On October 3, 2013, Bill and Holly Copeland successfully completed their 27-month Peace Corps service having served their last eight months in Uganda at St. Mary’s Midwifery Training School. Inspired by the success of St. Mary’s, the commitment of both staff and students, and the positive impact on the health standards of the Kalongo community Bill and Holly returned to the United States with a desire to not only provide continued support to St. Mary’s but to also share their experience in working at an organization that is an example of successful international development. Father and Doctor Giuseppe Ambrosoli of the Italian Comboni Order founded St. Mary’s in 1959 with strong input and support from the Northern Ugandans. His purpose was to fulfill the Comboni mission, “Build Africa with Africans.”
St. Mary’s is a school built by Ugandans, managed by Ugandans, for Ugandans. The graduates of St. Mary’s are a cornerstone in the Ugandan health care system. St. Mary’s graduates are also Ugandan women empowered by building careers, establishing greater financial independence, and supporting their families.