Promise International U.S. Officers & Board
of Directors

Israel Mwesigwa, Founder and Chairman Emeritus

"I believe God called me to this ministry. I see blessings in my life daily and I have learned much more about myself, my origin and my people through this work. Through Promise International, the children are building their faith in God while learning to believe in themselves; the community is gaining increased resources; and we are nurturing the children today who will be the cornerstone of African leadership tomorrow."

Founder of Promise International, Israel Mwesigwa took political asylum in the United States as a result of the oppression of the Ugandan Dictator Idi Amin. When it was safe to return to his home country he realized the tremendous need to care for orphans whose parents had died due to HIV / AIDs. Upon returning home to the U.S., Israel and a group of friends began laying the foundation for what has now become Promise International. Israel's leadership of Promise International includes frequent mission trips to Uganda to provide the organization and its donors with continuous direct insight into the success and progress of our facilities and programs.

Lisa Erwin, Chairman of the Board

"My commitment and conviction to the mission of PI was cemented by my trip to Uganda in 2007. I experienced a life altering, simplified realization that all children have a human need to not be forgotten.  This sounds elementary, however the complexity abounds in the faces of the children when we left the homes.  Though we sang and played and nurtured these children throughout the day, our goodbyes needed no words... just a visual commitment from one person to another that they will not be forgotten.  The loneliness and yearning in their eyes needed no words. My commitment to the children of PI is to always remind them that our organization will not walk away and forget."

Lisa Erwin has been active with Promise International for several years. A wife, mother, and child advocate, Lisa is retired after 17 years at Merrill Lynch where she was a Senior Vice President. In addition to her service as a Promise board member, Lisa volunteers as a court appointed special advocate, assisting abused and neglected children as they move through the judicial system. She is also a Fine Art Docent at St. Frances in Houston, Texas.

Mark Owens, Treasurer

"We are teaching the children how to help themselves, with the goal that they stay in Uganda and help each other."

Treasurer Mark Owens has been active with Promise since 2001. A contract accountant and investor for small businesses, Mark handles the oversight and stewardship of Promise's donations to ensure that funds are used responsibly and the highest possible percentage of dollars go directly to serve needy children. Mark and his wife actively support domestic charities.

Martha Schroeder, Secretary

"Unlike in the U.S., homeless people in Uganda have very few resources where they can seek help. For many Ugandan orphans, Promise International provides the only available place of safety, caring and comfort. These young people deserve the chance to grow up knowing that they are precious children of God."

Longtime board member and current Secretary Martha Schroeder works as a contractor in the technology industry as a software tester, writer, editor and project manager.  Love for her seven grandchildren inspired her to help other children far away. Martha and family first befriended African refugees in the 1970s, and she has ties to Africa that are particularly close to home: a daughter has adopted a child from Africa and another daughter works in the U.S. for an African aid project.  Along with her husband, Martha ministers to people in her church and participates in its children's ministry.

George Craft, Executive Director

"I have received many testimonials from children, teachers and workers of the life-changing help that they have received from Promise International. 95% of giving goes directly to the children, giving them hope, love and a future."

Executive Director George Craft brings a unique blend of business acumen grounded in Christian values to Promise International. A seasoned manager with twenty years of experience in business, financial management administration and personnel administration, George currently serves as Pastor of Abundant Grace Church in Southlake, Texas. He believes that God has called him to the ministry to help those in need by demonstrating the love of God through practical action. Married to his wife Kathy for twenty–seven years, George is also the proud father of two sons.

Julie Carson, Technology and Communications

"James 1:27 says, that pure religion is taking care of widows and orphans in their time of distress. The wonderful people on the ground in Uganda, who care for our children, are faithful. They would care for these children whether we helped them, or not. We have the privilege of supporting their God blessed work."

A financial contributor and volunteer for Promise International, Julie Carson puts her 30 years of multi-media experience in broadcast television to work, to highlight the needs of children, in Africa.

Karen Pyle, Fundraising

"The reason I contribute to Promise International, is to be able to enrich the lives of orphaned African children, by providing them with the wisdom, knowledge and love of God; as well as, to provide them with opportunities to experience and live a life of prosperity, in their own country."

Karen Pyle has worked in children's ministry, the mission field and women's ministry for the last 20 years. She owns a Christian art and interior design business. Karen enjoys her life with her wonderful husband Ron.

Larry Angel - Board Member

"After witnessing to the needs of the children, our biggest failure would be to return and do nothing. After giving them hope, through our presence, we must pull together and help bring to them a better life. Promise International is on pace to do just that!"

Larry Angel, retired from Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad, is also a husband and grandfather of six. He has a love for the Lord and a love for children. His visit to Uganda in 2008 changed his life and committed him to carrying on the work of Promise International.

Carol & Wayne Housewright - Board Members

"Why I am involved with Promise International is simply explained in the meaning of the word promise: to assure, to undertake, to guarantee. I want to be involved in securing a brighter future for these children, in other words, to do what Jesus died to teach me: 'Love one another as I have loved you." - Carol Housewright

"The people of Promise International love and care for these precious, orphaned children. We want to help these children to mature into wholesome, contributive individuals whose lives have been nurtured in Christ and His love. With proper upbringing and spiritual guidance under PI, they will grow up to be leaders in their communities and help change their native country for good." - Wayne Housewright

A St. Louis native, Carol Housewright is a nurse who has seen service in hospitals, home health, school and college clinics. She has been a Mary Kay director and currently serves as a Mary Kay beauty consultant. Since college days she has taught and organized Sunday school work, led women's Bible studies, choir, and midweek sharing groups. She is currently retired, but keeping her toe in the door in nursing. Carol is closely involved with the orphanage at Gateway Mercy Ministries in Uganda. A born again believer, she is currently a member and a leader in Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas.

A native Texan, Wayne Housewright has served in various church positions throughout his life – youth ministry, Sunday school, deaconship, men's ministry, and midweek sharing groups leader. He is a career teacher who specialized in honors programs and advanced placement classes. He is currently retired and spends his time in church work, gardening, and working with one of Promise International's main facilities in Uganda, Gateway Mercy Ministries. A born again believer, he is currently a member and a leader in Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas.

Winnifred Opoku-Acheampong - Board Member

"I support Promise International because its goals are unique and go beyond providing the basic necessities. PI's ultimate goal is to ensure the orphans learn to be self-sufficient and eventually give back to others. This will break the cycle of dependency that is so pervasive. PI impacts the children by giving them hope and a way to a better and productive future. In doing so, we have a positive impact on the community and the country as a whole."

A native of Uganda, Winnifred Opoku-Acheampong has been involved with Promise International since 2004. She is currently committed to sponsoring two Ugandan children, now 16 and 17 years old. Winnie graduated from Makerere University in 1982 with a degree in Political Science and English Literature. Shortly after she moved to the U.S., she graduated from the University of Texas at Dallas with a Masters degree in Political Economy. A wife and mother of two children, Winnie works as an Assistant Branch Manager at Gallagher Bassett Services.

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