Meet the people who make the magic happen

sketched shooting start representing the magic of a good team

**Lauren Schmidt**

*Chief Experience Officer & Founder*
Lauren has spent 10 years in Tanzania working as a social worker and Dean of Students after graduating from **Columbia University School of Social Work.** Lauren is a member of the **Association of International Educators** & has helped students gain acceptance into **Harvard, Yale, MIT, Stanford, among many other schools**. She loves seeing people win & finding their purpose
**Fun Fact**: I am team mint chocolate chip any day
**Most proud of:** Solo parenting 3 kids for a year in Tanzania
**Biggest fear:** Not living life for me

**Aneth Gerana**

*Director of Disability Activism*
Aneth became the **first Deaf graduate of University of Dar es Salaam** and after experiencing job discrimination for being Deaf, founded FUWAVITA. **She lobbies actively for the inclusion of Deaf women and has worked with OSIEA, Voice Global & Yali East Africa.** Aneth helps share our Volunteer Fellow projects with communities in Tanzania.
**Fun Fact**: I love to dance even though I can’t hear the music
**Most proud of:** My ability to empower my society to think differently
**Biggest fear:** I don’t have one. I believe in taking fears & turning them into opportunities

Kim Kiondo, Impact Coordinator

Kim is passionate about human rights and inclusion and has worked with community organizations for over 6 years. Kim will work with you to share your projects in Tanzania and collaborate with other East African stakeholders.

You’ll also work with Professor Martin O’Reilly, on research design for your project

Professor O’Reilly was awarded a PhD from the University of Leeds, UK in 1993. Following the outbreak of the Liberian Civil War in 1990, he remained on in the country and assisted in the rebuilding of schools and re-establishing teacher education programmes. In 1998, he accepted a position as Director of the Extra Mural Studies Department in Uganda Martyrs University, Uganda, During his seven years there, he began the Faculty of Education and the Centre for Microfinance Studies. In 2005, he was invited to help launch the Institute of Open and Distance Learning at Kampala International University, (KIU). In 2010, he was asked to join KIU’s newly established constituent college in Dar as Salaam,(KIUT). In his time in KIUT, he has also been a visiting professor at Southern New Hampshire University, USA and the Virtual University of Uganda. In addition, he authored six books related to facilitation and adult learning, and has conducted workshops on the same subject in some 15 countries. Currently, he holds the position of Deputy Vice Chancellor at KIUT.

More team members

sign language symbol representing inclusive learning

Billbosco Hinga Muna

Sign Language Interpreter

Billbosco is the sign language interpreter at A Tree that Grows & works to make sure that we are able to bring the best possible service to the Deaf community.