volunteer staff

HYTES' directors, founding members and core volunteers include the following people:

Eric Amulaku
Foreign Operations Advisor
Canada Liaison for Kenya
Founding Member
Eric grew up in rural Kenya and spent many years living in Nairobi before immigrating to Canada in June 2006. He interviewed applicants and delivered scholarships to all students in Kenya and Tanzania for the inaugural HYTES school year in 2006, and is now chair of HYTES' Foreign Operations Committee. Eric was instrumental in providing much needed research and information about East African education systems, a subject he knows well after 23 years of involvement with the school-based Scouting movement in Kenya. He held the position of Area Commissioner for Dagoretti, Nairobi and also founded "Peacenet Outdoor Expeditioners" in 2004 to further promote youth leadership and development through outdoor activity. Eric holds a diploma in Voluntary Counselling and Testing ("VCT") HIV/AIDS support work and is currently completing a diploma in Web Design from the Academy of Learning in Edmonton. He also works with at-risk youth through the 'Youth Options' program offered by the Beverly Towne Community Development Society in northeast Edmonton.

recommended reading

Pamela Amulaku, B.S.W., M.S.S.
VP Internal Operations, Director
Chair, Volunteers & Membership
Founding Member
Pam has had the opportunity to travel, live, volunteer and study in unique and diverse corners of the world but is currently back in Alberta feeling homesick for Kenya! She has completed a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work from the University of Calgary and a Master's Degree in Social Sciences (Development and International Relations) from Aalborg University in Denmark. Most of Pam's international work has been in the field of HIV/AIDS prevention for youth. She was also a founder of Youth ROAR, a Calgary-based anti-racism project of the Committee on Race Relations and Cross Cultural Understanding. Pam now lives in Edmonton and works as a Program Consultant for the AIDS Community Action Program with the Public Health Agency of Canada. Pam is looking forward to next year when she and Eric will return to Nairobi for their Kenyan wedding!

Graciela Boido
Canada Liaison for Guatemala
Member
Grace, an Argentinean-Canadian teacher, has spent much of her life pursuing her interest in education both in Latin America and in Canada. She currently teaches non-credit advanced Spanish classes at the University of Calgary, and co-manages a precious metal refinery business. Eager to experience different environments, Grace visited Guatemala in 2004, and became very interested and inspired by the work of the New Hope Foundation, in Rabinal, Guatemala. She is in charge of the Guatemala scholarship program, which provides scholarships to students in this institution. Knowing the challenging realities of formal education in Latin America, Grace is exited to support the development of the New Hope Foundation through creative fundraising projects.

M. Olimpia Boido, B.A., M.A.
Chair, Framework Policy
Member
Olimpia has a passionate interest in the role of education in social justice. She focuses her work in intercultural education with indigenous communities in Latin America, where she is originally from. Her experiences in intercultural contexts, having worked and studied in Europe, Latin America and North America, have helped her become fluent in Spanish, French, and English. With a B.A. in International Development from the University of Calgary, and an M.A. in Sociology and Equity Studies in Education from OISE/University of Toronto, Olimpia draws on her academic experience to strengthen her work in grassroots social justice projects in Latin America. In 2004-2005 she worked as the coordinator of an intercultural curriculum development project at the New Hope Foundation, in Rabinal, Guatemala. She currently helps manage the Guatemala scholarship program. Olimpia is currently in Buenos Aires, Argentina working for the National Intercultural Bilingual Education Program at the Ministry of Education. She works with indigenous communities around Argentina.

recommended reading

Amy Brathwaite B.A., M.S.S.
Canada Liaison for Tanzania
Member
Amy has been lucky to study, work, travel and live in a number of countries and feels enriched by the diversity of her experiences. Her initial overseas experience was an exchange program through the University of Calgary where she completed her Bachelor’s degree in Development Studies. This was a catalyst for her continued studies in Development and more so for her continued travels abroad. She completed her Master’s Degree in Development and International Relations at Aalborg in June 2005. It was this experience at Aalborg that enabled her to travel to Tanzania and Kenya to work as an HIV/AIDS educator with East African youth – it was here that she met some of the young people who HYTES is currently sponsoring. This experience motivated, inspired and humbled her and reiterated how fortunate she is. Shortly after completing her thesis, Amy accepted a six month position at UNDP Bangladesh as an HIV/AIDS consultant; her original contracted was extended and she stayed on for an additional two months. Amy credits her experience in Bangladesh as one of the most intense learning opportunities of her life. Amy is currently working as a project officer at the United Nations Association in Canada and is now based in Ottawa, Ontario.

recommended reading

Mona Csada, B.Comm.
Secretary, Treasurer, Director
Chair, Communications & Marketing
Mona moved to Calgary after completing her Bachelor of Commerce with a major in Marketing at the University of Saskatchewan. She has honed her marketing skills in positions with various companies, and currently holds the title of Manager, Education Marketing for a global technology company. She is a firm believer in the power of education and intellectual growth achieved through study and reading at all stages of life, and she is thrilled to play a role in bringing education opportunities to students around the world. Mona has volunteered for the Calgary Public Library in a number of different capacities, including the "Read With Me" program for struggling young readers and a home delivery program called "Homebound Readers" serving those with limited mobility. Her travels have taken her to many corners of the globe, but it was her trip to East Africa with Janet and Harold Pliszka that inspired her to help HYTES in their quest to support students internationally.

recommended reading

Jacqueline Ford, B.A., B.Ed.
Founding Member
Jackie Ford holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree (French and Spanish) from the University of Calgary and a Bachelor's Degree in Education from the Faculté St. Jean, University of Alberta. Passionate about language, culture and teaching, she worked in France for a year and Taiwan for two years. She speaks English, French, Spanish, and is currently working on Mandarin. She is also a keen traveler and spent nine months traveling through French West Africa, East Africa, India and South East Asia. As a Social Studies teacher, she has a strong interest in issues related to global awareness, social justice and human rights. She is a mother to Zoë, adopted from Guangdong Province in China on August 28th, 2005.

Laura Franceschini, B.Sc., BA, Dip.Env
VP External Operations
Director
Keen to be a conscious global citizen, Laura is excited to be helping kids around the world gain educational opportunities through HYTES. Laura completed her B.Sc. and BA at the University of Alberta, majoring in both Biological Sciences and Psychology, and she also holds a post-graduate diploma in Environment and International Development from McGill University. Currently working as a sustainability coordinator for an international consulting firm, she plans to merge her three fields of study with a career advocating for global environmental action. Born and raised in Edmonton, Laura’s avid interest in other cultures has led her to travel extensively across the globe. Her most enriching experiences abroad were a year studying International Media and Communications at Uppsala University in Sweden, and a 6 month sojourn in India volunteering for the World Wildlife Fund. Trips overseas have taught Laura to be grateful for all life has given her. A lover of languages, Laura is fluent in French, has studied Spanish, Swedish, German, and American Sign Language, and is currently taking Swahili classes. She is looking forward to practicing Swahili upon return trips to Kenya, and hopes to meet some HYTES students next time she is there!

Frederick Fussi
Tanzania Representative
Frederick is currently finishing his last year of secondary school and is volunteering with HYTES to administer scholarships in Tanzania. He lives in Dar es Salaam and is very involved with his school and his community. In 2006, Frederick was an Active Delegate and Deputy Minister for the Ministry of News and Relations within the student government at Azania Secondary School from 2005 to 2006 and is currently the Minister for Economics and Development.

Reg Garratt, B.Th.
Kenya Representative, Litein
Reg holds a Bachelor of Theology from the Free Methodist College in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan and pastored in the Spiritwood Free Methodist Church for five years before moving to Calgary, Alberta. He worked in Calgary as a Carpenter and Cabinet Maker for twelve years and then worked two years with developmentally disabled persons. Reg is now living in Litein, Kenya with his wife, Cathy, who is helping to set up a palliative care program in a rural hospital. He hopes to help young people go to school by administering HYTES scholarships in the Litein area.

Lisa Hicks, B.A.
Chair, Donor Recognition
Member
Lisa grew up in Calgary and first discovered her passion for other languages and cultures when she studied in the south of France for a year. She worked for the airlines for 13 years, allowing her to see alot of the world, and developed a deep sense of responsiblitiy for those born in less fortunate circumstances when she travelled to South America to visit her foster child during that time. Her journey to Zambia in January '06 further entrenched that sense of resonsiblity when she participated in caring for those suffering from HIV/Aids in their homes; encouraging those in hospices; playing with and loving the children in orphanages; and singing and sharing with young people in their "schools". She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree, (French Major) from the University of Calgary, but considers helping send kids to school in Zambia to be a much greater accomplishment. Lisa sits on the Board of the Calgary Chapter of the Canadian Marketing Association, is the Chair of the HYTES’ Fundraising Committee, and works as a Senior Account Manager with Touchworks Communications Inc.

Deouse Kanyanta
Zambia Representative
Deouse grew up in the Copperbelt Province of Zambia and settled in Kabwe after graduating high school. He became a Pastor in 1997 and holds Diplomas in Bible Theology, Counseling, and Social Theology. Deouse is now working on a Bachelor of Arts at the AFMIN Africa Ministries Network of South Africa, and is the Financial Controller for the Child Care and Adoption Society Zambia. Deouse met HYTES volunteer Lisa Hicks in January 2006 and is now administering scholarships in the African country of Zambia.

Alice Kihungi
Kenya Representative, Nairobi
Alice is a science teacher, Dean of Studies and head of the Department of Careers at a school near Nairobi. She is also an Area Commissioner for Scouts in Dagoretti and founder of an Environmental Movement conducting environmental conservation campaigns. Alice has a Degree in Science Education (Biology) and holds diplomas in Technical Education and Horticulture.

Scott Muzychka, B.Comm., CA
Chief Financial Officer
Past Director, Founding Member
Scott Muzychka is a bean counter with a passion for everything he does. An avid traveler, Scott has navigated his way through many countries of the world, including places like Timbuktu, Pondicherry, Zanzibar and Ouagadougou. He refers to his trip to China in August 2005 as "the ultimate trip", as it is the trip from which he brought home his adopted 10 month old daughter. Scott's various "roughing it" travel experiences in developing nations have strongly shaped his sense of social and environmental responsibility and have instilled a desire to help out wherever he can. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Commerce from the University of Calgary and works as a Senior Manager with KPMG.

recommended reading

Harold Pliszka, B.H.Ecol.
President, Director
Chair, Strategic Development
Founding Member
As an entrepreneur and "wannabe" philanthropist, Harold first came up with the idea for HYTES during a trip to Tanzania and Kenya with Janet and Mona in 2004. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Human Ecology from the University of Manitoba, and owns and operates Iron Lava Corp, a graphic design and web development firm. Harold enjoys a plethora of outdoor activities and has completed five marathons in three countries. More recently he is loving life as father to Hailey and Reuben, born December 9, 2005 and January 28, 2008 respectively.

Janet Pliszka, B.Comm.
Chair, Advocacy Committee
Founding Member
Janet is living out her career dream as a professional photographer. Her business, Visual Hues Photography, specializes in baby, children and family photography. She would like to volunteer to do a photo documentary of HYTES students sometime in the future so Canadians can see first hand the impact their generosity is having on students' lives. She is thrilled to be helping youth in HYTES countries reach their goals, especially as she experiences the reward of achieving her own career goals. She has a Bachelor's Degree in Commerce from the University of Calgary and worked for seven years in marketing for the AIR MILES reward program. Janet has enjoyed traveling and living in many different parts of the world and continues to be intrigued by different cultures. Inspired by 3 years living in Japan, she teaches English to Japanese students over the telephone and continues one of her hobbies in Japan here in Calgary as a member of the Japanese drumming group Midnight Taiko. And her greatest inspiration of all - her children Hailey and Reuben.

Kirsten van der Meer, B.A., M.A.
Vice President Foreign Operations
Director
Kirsten recently returned home to Edmonton after graduating with a Masters degree in Social Geography from the University of Victoria, and has begun a new position with Alberta Sustainable Resource Development. She has volunteered and traveled extensively in Latin America, which inspired her interest in social justice both at home and abroad. Kirsten is fluent in Spanish and Portuguese, and she is an avid cyclist and salsa dancer.