In Arua, northern Uganda, one man’s compassion has grown into a force that is changing lives.
That man is Feni Bernard, founder and executive director of the Mungufeni Foundation, an organisation rooted in the simple yet powerful belief that “with God, all things are possible.”
For over a decade, Mungufeni has been more than a leader; he has been a neighbour, a mentor, and a friend to the people of West Nile. What began in 2011 as a small effort to support sponsored children has now blossomed into a registered NGO reaching hundreds through programs in education, health, sports, and economic empowerment.
By 2022, the initiative had grown large enough to formalise, yet it had never lost the personal touch that makes it so unique. At the centre of the foundation’s work is education.
More than 100 students in Arua now attend school because Mungufeni ensures their fees are paid and their basic needs, uniforms, books, and supplies are covered. For those who left school early, he offers second chances through vocational training, giving young people hands-on skills in trades like fashion and design.
One young beneficiary put it best: “He didn’t just support us he gave us a new beginning.” But his vision goes far beyond classrooms. The foundation has brought communities together through health awareness drives and sports tournaments such as the Mungufeni Talent Search.
It has also championed road safety by training and equipping more than 700 boda boda riders with helmets, reflectors, and certification, saving lives while building livelihoods. These efforts have not gone unnoticed.
In 2024, the foundation was honoured at the West Nile Quality Brand Awards as both “Best Social Impact NGO of the Year” and “Best Community Development NGO of the Year.”
The recognition meant a lot, but for Mungufeni, the real reward remains the smiles of those whose lives have been touched. What sets him apart is not just what he does, but how he does it.
In a world that often measures success in wealth and titles, Mungufeni chooses generosity. He is the kind of man who quietly pays a child’s school fees without expecting thanks, who invests time and resources into dreams that are not his own, and who sees potential where others see only obstacles.
Looking to 2025, the Mungufeni Foundation plans to expand its reach even further, guided by one clear vision: a West Nile where no one is left behind where children learn, families thrive, and communities grow stronger together.
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