Co-Founders
FR. ROBERT SERAPH ALIUNZI — CO-FOUNDER & BOARD MEMBER
"Education Changes Everything."
Fr. Robert Seraph Aliunzi grew up in northern Uganda, losing both parents by age six. Raised by relatives, he navigated poverty and instability with little more than faith and a fierce determination to learn. His journey led him to the priesthood — a vocation he has lived for 35 years, serving with compassion, humility, and unwavering commitment.
For more than 18 of those years, he has served in the Diocese of Phoenix, ministering in multiple parishes and leadership roles. In 2008, he cofounded E3 Africa with one conviction: the children he left behind deserved better. He has been their voice — and their champion — ever since.
MAMA ROSALIE WELLER — CO-FOUNDER
IN LOVING MEMORY February 13, 1932 – August 16, 2021
"She Said Yes First."
Rosalie Weller was the first person Fr. Robert called when E3 Africa was still just a vision. She said yes immediately — without hesitation. She spent the next several years raising awareness, rallying donors, and personally championing every child in the program.
Her legacy lives on in the girls’ dormitory that bears her name, in the Weller family’s continued leadership on E3 Africa’s Board, and in the hundreds of children whose lives were changed because she showed up. We honor her memory with every child we educate.
Our Journey: From One Child to Over a Thousand Lives Changed
A mission born from hardship, strengthened by compassion, and built through faith and determination.
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Early Years
A Calling Born from Hardship: Father Robert grows up in northern Uganda, orphaned at age six and facing hunger, illness, isolation, and repeated barriers to education. These experiences shape his priesthood and ignite his mission to help vulnerable children.
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1990s–Early 2000s
Helping Orphans One by One: As a young priest, Father Robert begins personally paying tuition and living expenses for orphaned children who remind him of himself.
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2004
A New Beginning in the United States: Assigned to Saint Thomas Aquinas Parish in Avondale, Arizona, then appointed Pastor of St. James Parish. There he meets parishioner Rosalie Weller, whose compassion aligns with his mission.
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2005
The First Sponsorship Ministry Is Born: Father Robert and Rosalie launch a parish outreach ministry to sponsor Ugandan orphans. It grows rapidly through the generosity of St. James parishioners.
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2005
EENU Founded in Uganda: To ensure funds are used faithfully and responsibly, Father Robert establishes a registered nonprofit organization in Uganda: Efforts to Educate the Needy Children of Uganda (EENU).
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2007
Becoming a U.S. Nonprofit: Under Bishop Thomas Olmsted’s guidance, the ministry becomes a 501(c)(3) nonprofit: EENUUSA, Inc.
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2013
A New Name, A Clear Mission: The organization rebrands as E3 Africa, reflecting its mission to Educate, Enrich, and Empower Uganda’s youth.
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2013–2020
Hundreds of Students Sponsored: More than 500 students complete their education. Joseph Ambayo becomes Ugandan Executive Director, building the “E3 Africa Family” that supports students academically and emotionally.
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2020
A Dream Realized: STACE Opens. E3 Africa builds its own secondary school, St. Thomas Aquinas College, Erepi (STACE), complete with classrooms, dormitories, a chapel, a clinic, a farm, and solar power.
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Today
A Growing Legacy of Hope: E3 Africa continues expanding STACE toward a capacity of 800 students, integrating peace-building and conflict resolution into the curriculum.
Partners in the Mission
E3 Africa is grateful for the organizations that walk alongside us in this work.
Pipeline Worldwide
A trusted partner in connecting donors with vulnerable communities in East Africa. Pipeline Worldwide has helped fund a campus well, teachers' living quarters, water infrastructure, and critical classroom supplies at STACE.
Project C.U.R.E
The world's largest provider of donated medical supplies to developing nations. In 2018, Project C.U.R.E. helped E3 Africa deliver over $500,000 worth of medical supplies to northern Uganda.
CBC Group
A values-driven organization that leads with faith and integrity, CBC has been a steadfast behind-the-scenes supporter of E3 Africa's mission for many years.
Be Part of What Comes Next
Whether you decide to sponsor a student, attend an event, or simply share our story — you are part of a legacy that will echo through generations.