Through the years you find people that you look up to for one reason or another.
These people were or currently are very important to us.

Deogratias "Deo" Niyizonkiza Deo, a refugee from the war-torn African country of Burundi, left his homeland in 1993 with little beyond the clothes on his back. When he arrived in New York City, he didn't know a soul there, nor did he speak English. But a series of charitable deeds by complete strangers helped Niyizonkiza transform himself from a homeless immigrant to an Ivy League student — and eventually set up a health clinic back home to help those he left behind.	Twesigye Jackson Kaguri   Jackson grew up in rural southwestern Uganda, graduated from Makerere University in Kampala, was a visiting scholar at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs.  He is the founder and director of the Nyaka and Kutamba Schools for HIV / AIDS Orphans in Uganda. His book "The Price of Stones" is now available to buy: http://www.thepriceofstones.com
President Bill Clinton Activist, Author and Philanthropist - The important thing is his initiative and the fact that attending the 2006 Clinton Global Initiative got us started on our philanthropy – a major accomplishment. He was also nice enough to mention us in his book “Giving”.	Geraldine Ferraro Geraldine Ferraro has previously served three terms in the U.S. House of Representatives. She became the first woman candidate for the vice presidency of a major political party. She also was the US ambassador to the United Nations. Dolly and I spent quality time with her at CGI and her advice was very helpful.
Majora Carter An activist and founder of Majora Carter Group (MCG) is committed to helping people understand how valuable and cherished they are despite what the world may tell them, so they can act and respond from a place of humanity, authenticity and use their soul’s wisdom. MCG seeks to displace fear of the unfamiliar through attraction to greatness.	Anne Heyman Philanthropist and a native of South Africa, Anne Heyman graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1982 and from the George Washington School of Law in 1986.After two years in private practice Anne went to work for the Manhattan District Attorney's Office, where she worked until the advent of her third child.
India Howell Founder/Director of Tanzania Children's Fund, India has lived and worked in Tanzania since 1998. She has devoted her life to children and the poor, acting on her vision to create a home for orphaned children in a remote village in the northern highlands of Tanzania.	Josh Ruxin He is the director of the Access Project for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria at the Center for Global Health and Economic Development at Columbia University. Ruxin is also Country Director for the Millennium Village Project in Kigali, Rwanda, where he currently lives.
MacDella Cooper Humanitarian and founder of The MacDella Cooper Foundation. MCF is a 501c3 international charitable organization devoted to empowering Liberian youth, especially orphans and abandoned children, by providing education and the basic necessities of food, clothing, and shelter. In MacDella's words: "Today, my vision is to give as many Liberian children as possible the chance to escape the poverty cycle and grow in the nurturing environment of an MCF Academy, so that they can lead Liberia toward an economically strong and politically stable future."	Zainab Salbi Zainab Salbi is Founder and CEO of Women for Women International, a grassroots humanitarian and development organization helping women survivors of wars rebuild their lives. Since 1993, the organization has helped 299,000 women survivors of wars access social and economic opportunities through a program of rights awareness training, vocational skills education and access to income generating opportunities, thereby ultimately contributing to the political and economic health of their communities.
Paul Kagame President of the Republic of Rwanda. His Excellency was sworn in as for a seven-term mandate on 12 September 2003 after being elected in the first ever democratically contested multiparty elections held in August 2003. Paul Kagame was among the first 27 men who, together with Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, launched a five-year liberation war in Uganda in 1980.	Ellen Johnson Sirleaf President of Liberia Ellen Johnson Sirleaf won the presidency at age 67 and is leading an economic recovery. As Africa's first elected female head of state, she has taken on corruption, gotten some of Liberia's debt canceled and rebuilt the army.
Kip Keino (Dr. Hazakieh Kipchoge Keino) An ex Olympic gold medalist runner turned philanthropist. Kip Keino’s “family” currently includes 96 orphans and his own seven children support him in his efforts. In our most recent trip to Africa the city where he lives presented him with $1,500 & two 6 week old newborns that were left on the side of the road, therefore adding to his extended family. That is the kind of man Kip is. He’s built middle school & high schools and runs many operations to support his cause (tea farm, training center for runners, etc.). He is a “get it done guy” and our personal hero. He’s always thinking ahead, making his own building materials, arranging for electricity and water supply (with some help from NIKE). For more information on KipKeino Foundation and to read Kip's bio please visit www.kipkeinofoundation.org