| Day 1 | Arrive in Guatemala City Check in at hotel/dinner and orientation/optional church service |
| Day 2 | Buffet breakfast Travel to Polochic Region |
| Day 3-6 | Village Building Projects Cultural experiences/Recreation Evening devotionals and sharing time |
| Day 7 | Travel back to Guatemala City Closing buffet dinner and slideshow |
| Day 8 | Flight Departures at any time |
*Subject to change
I was born and raised in a humble family in Copperbelt, Zambia. Family is at the heart of who I am. I come from a close-knit family of five. I am the firstborn, and my family’s love and support continually inspire me to be my best self. Together, we share in the joys and challenges of life, growing stronger and more connected each day. Through my life’s mission of blessing and serving others, and the bonds within my family, I find constant encouragement and gratitude.
I served a full-time mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in East Africa, Uganda, Kampala Mission, from 2021 to 2023. Saving a full-time mission has helped me be a better person; it has helped me to see others the way our Heavenly Father sees them. It gave me purpose, strength, and a sense of fulfillment that touches every aspect of my daily experiences.
I am grateful for the journey that life has taken me on, and I truly believe that the mission I have embraced has deeply blessed my life, and it will bless the lives of others.
I was born and raised in Buli village in Eastern Zambia. I have five siblings, of whom I am the first child. I was raised by grandparents from my mother’s side, whom I am eternally grateful to for the lessons they taught me, especially my grandmother.
Growing up, I took part in doing house chores, one of which was fetching water. Mainly, the source would be either a ground hole during the dry season or from the stream during the rainy season. Our household comprised of my grandparents and me, which meant that I had to learn to be responsible and help them with work, and even look after my younger brother, who later joined us. When my grandmother was away, I would be left with instructions on how to fend and care for my grandfather and my young brother. Fetching water was one of the hardest challenges due to distance, but it taught me remarkable lessons and prepared me for life in ways I didn’t know then.
When I learned about Family Humanitarian in 2022 and the amazing work it does for vulnerable communities, such as the one I grew up in, it gave me peace to learn that the primary focus for the organization is to provide safe and clean drinking water. I am excited to join the team in supporting a great cause for those who lack.
After completing secondary school (high school) I moved from the village to the city (Lusaka). I have done Introduction to Project Management with BYU – Idaho Pathways and attended NIPA (National Institute of Public Administration) college, doing a Certificate in the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport. I volunteered to serve a 2-year full-time mission in the Johannesburg, South Africa Mission from January 2017 to January 2019. I have worked as a Data Entry Clerk for a Construction Company and as a Sales Executive for construction equipment. I sometimes enjoy reading books, both fiction and self-help.
My name is Lare Sani, and I’m from Ghana. As the eldest of seven siblings, I come from a diverse family background, with my parents and five siblings practicing Islam, while I am a Christian. Despite our differing faiths, our shared values of compassion and service brought me to join the Family Humanitarian organization dedicated to providing clean water to underserved communities. I’m passionate about this cause, as access to clean water is essential for life. Having witnessed the organization’s impactful work in various Ghanaian communities, I’m excited to contribute my efforts to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. I am honored to be part of this humanitarian organization. I’m passionate about contributing to initiatives that positively impact lives across Africa, bringing hope and support to those in need.
I was born in Mombasa, Kenya, and raised in different counties. Much of my early childhood was spent in the village with my grandmother before I later moved to the city to live with my father. After completing high school, I was called to serve as a missionary in the Ghana Kumasi Mission in West Africa from 2018 to 2020—a period I deeply cherish.
Upon returning home, I joined Eldoret Technical Training Institute, where I am studying to receive a Diploma in Agriculture. Over the years, I have volunteered in various capacities and worked in different roles, including the Standing With Boys program, where I mentored young men to become individuals of conscience, character, and courage, as well as gaining professional experience in the field sales department at Poa Internet.
I am passionate about service and community development. I love working with Family Humanitarian because of the tangible impact it has on families and communities. Being part of this mission takes me back to my own childhood—walking long distances to fetch water—and inspires me to contribute to meaningful change. Seeing the impact of my efforts on people’s lives gives me the energy to keep going.
Beyond work, I enjoy spending time outdoors, taking road trips, and connecting with new people. These experiences keep me inspired and grounded as I continue to serve and grow.
I am Kenyan by birth. During my childhood I spent most of my time taking care of our family livestock. I became a teacher in 2018 after high school and the joy of seeing children developing from one stage to another created a very meaningful impact in me. I learned to love and serve them as my own children. Later in 2020, I was given the opportunity to serve as a missionary in Liberia and learned new cultures and to serve different people in different ways. I was given the opportunity to gain gospel knowledge that still remains with me. Afterwards, I earned an Accounting and Management Certificate at KCA University Nairobi, Kenya.
The joy and the passion to continue serving people has been lifted up as I join Family Humanitarian. The work we do to help communities get clean and safe water for drinking creates smiling faces in many people. I enjoy being around people and serving them through Family Humanitarian. The greatest treasures I have are the people around me.
Wayne Berger is the CEO of IWG Americas: United States, Canada and Latin America, the global flexspace and workspace-as-a-service leader. The company harnesses the power of flexible working through its companies Regus, Spaces, No. 18, Open Office, HQ, and Signature. IWG currently operates over 1200 coworking and flexible workspace locations throughout the Americas, and over 3500 locations across 1200 cities globally.
Wayne is a key driver and enabler for the transforming world of work. With over 20 years in multi-national executive leadership positions helping companies improve the way they maximize their financial performance, workspace and office portfolio, leadership, and communities, Wayne is leading the acceleration of the workplace revolution— evolving from traditional office space to the new era of hybrid working strategies supported by the world’s largest global physical and digital network of flexible workspace. Follow Wayne Berger @wayneberger.
Mike Wagstaff is the president of Holiday Oil. Holiday Oil is an Utah family-owned and -operated chain of convenience stores. Holiday Oil is a privately held company that employs approximately 1,000 people. It was founded in 1964 by Mike’s father, Jerry Wagstaff. Besides convenience stores, Holiday Oil owns a wholesale distribution company, Cottonwood Distribution, a fuel delivery company, Holiday Trucking, and a real estate company, Wagstaff Investments.
Mike has been President since 2003 and has been instrumental in the company’s growth. Under his leadership, Holiday implemented vertical integration with their purchase of a distribution company, increased community outreach, and continues to build upon the legacy his father started.
Mike serves on the Chevron National Marketer’s Council and is the past president of Utah Petroleum Marketers & Retailers Association. Mike received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Utah in Marketing and continues to learn through professional associations and reading books. Mike enjoys serving his community and Church.
Mike and his wife, Carrie, are proud parents of four children and one grandchild. They enjoy spending time outdoors, being with their family, and serving others. They reside in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Helping people is a big part of who I am. I find a real sense of gratification in being able to serve, lift, and help others while being a part of Family Humanitarian efforts. Some of the best reasons for working with Family Humanitarian are that it is a great opportunity to bless lives and help our communities thrive. Our people are being helped through Family Humanitarian by strengthening present and future generations and producing a culture of greater self-reliance. Providing clean water and educating children is such a vital part of improving lives.
Before I worked for Family Humanitarian I worked in broiler and laying chicken projects. Then I worked for another foundation that allowed me to get to know the leaders of Family Humanitarian. FH is making an important contribution to nutrition, education, and infrastructure through the construction of classrooms for schools and clinics. The clinics allow community members to have access to better infrastructure conditions. With the construction of desks the children in the schools have a place to sit and be able to write. The cultural exchange has also allowed the children who accompany their parents on the expedition to notice the difficulties of children in low-income communities and has allowed our children to start dreaming that there is a better way to live. Personally, it has allowed me to continue in the process of preparing myself educationally by finishing the Pathway Connect program at Brigham Young University. I hope to continue until I achieve a degree.
I was born and raised in Accra, Ghana. I am the second of five children. I first came in contact with the current Chairman and Co-Founder/Executive Director Sheldon Killpak and Michaela Shirley in the year 2020. For more than three years I have looked forward to working with and being a part of the life-changing efforts of Family Humanitarian. In January 2023, I visited some of the completed and ongoing water and school projects in the Northern Region of Ghana. I served as a missionary in Uganda. I enjoy cooking, singing, listening to music, and road trips. I am currently pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Business Management through the pathways program of Brigham Young University-Idaho.
I was born in Mbale and raised in different regions of Uganda. For the first three years of elementary school, I schooled under mango trees. Teachers were available, and a black chalk board was pinned on mango tree. No desks were available, so all the kids had to seat on the ground. Whenever it rained or was windy that marked the end of lessons for the day. Every morning before school I would walk 4km to collect dirty stream water which was the only water source in the community.
I love working for Family Humanitarian experience because I believe we show our love to God through serving his Children. One of the authors in the scriptures mentioned, “When you are in the service of your fellow beings, you are only in the service of your God.” Is a great joy when I see good samaritans rendering services to the community. Family Humanitarian experience has helped my people to have good water in the community. It has reduced the rate of typhoid diseases in my country, and FH has provided good learning environment for students by offering structures.
Today I am so grateful for the great work FH is doing. May God bless all those who donate for this work to continue and those who are faithfully helping in the service.
Thanks with much love, Andrew Ochom.
Before I began working for Family Humanitarian I was volunteering in the villages as a team coordinator to teach people to take care of their lives and survive certain diseases. I love the work Family Humanitarian does. I was born in the village. I grew up in the village. I saw and I went through the hardship of finding clean sources of drinking water. I have a heart for serving my people. I have always hoped that someday I could be an instrument to change their lives. Working with Family Humanitarian fulfills my dream. That love I have from growing up wanting to save my dear brothers and sisters who are going through the same challenges that I went through. Family Humanitarian is really blessing my people. It is a way that we can save them from water borne diseases. When you look at the communities around where I live and the country at large most of the diseases my people encounter is waterborne disease because they get their water from the pond where they share with the animals. Getting clean water is improving people’s lives and their life expectancy because so many people die from cholera and so many people die from typhoid. It is really expensive when people get these diseases. Avoiding getting these diseases by drinking clean water helps their families to save money because so much money goes to treat these diseases. I really enjoy working with Family Humanitarian because it is really saving people’s lives. Thank you so much!
I am from Kenya, but I am currently working in Uganda. I love working for Family Humanitarian because there is joy in doing good and that’s how I feel every day when I visit communities that have received help and those awaiting support in getting clean drinking water. Water is life! I have come to understand it’s also a precious commodity. If you have access to running water kindly don’t take it for granted. Give Thanks! Family Humanitarian has been a great blessing to my people, and it has impacted their lives. When people have access to clean water, kids get time to play, instead of walking many kilometers to get water. Mothers can enjoy their free time knowing they don’t have to walk long hours and wake up as early as 4am to get to water before the animals get there and it gets dirty. For sure God blesses His people. FHE has brought joy to many. I love seeing happy mother’s and kids and happy communities.
I was born and raised in a humble family in Kenya. I am married to Maria Mukendi. We currently live in Uganda. I served a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the West Africa, Ghana Kumasi Mission. In 2019, while doing my online diploma in Work Health and Safety, I had the privileged to work at the Ghana Missionary Training Center as a Gospel and Swahili Teacher. My service in the MTC paved the way for me to see others the same way God sees them. I refer to it as “meeting God halfway,” doing your part and letting God do the rest. When we do our part, it helps God to transform lives.
I have a strong impression that my experiences prepared me to be part of a great Family Humanitarian team. It helped me recognize the potential people have within to transform their lives to a better version. Many children struggle to get enough time to learn because most of their time is spent searching for water. Getting an education becomes impossible. With Family Humanitarian helping and supporting, communities can receive access to safe and clean water for drinking. Children have enough time to study, and parents have adequate time to be become self-reliant through adult literacy training offered by Family Humanitarian. It all starts with safe and clean water. That can unite communities together to eradicate poverty.
Entrepreneurs, world travelers, and humanitarians. Recently married with 6 children, Terisa works in the home, taking care of the family while Jim successfully runs a call center out of the Philippines. We feel that God has brought us together and we recognize that he continues to guide our lives. We owe and dedicate everything that we’ve achieved or are able to accomplish to Him.
Senior Vice President of Corporate Partnerships
Utah Jazz
Greg Tanner is a seasoned executive currently serving as senior vice president of corporate partnerships at the Utah Jazz. In this role, he oversees sponsor fulfillment, activation and partner renewals, working with a leadership team and account and activation managers to grow partnership revenue through long-term relationships.
Tanner has been with the organization since 1995, when he started as an account executive for the Utah Jazz. Over the years, he has held various positions, including national sales manager, director of sales for the Utah Jazz and Starzz, and vice president of sales and service for the Utah Jazz, Salt Lake Bees, Tour of Utah, Miller Motorsports Park, 1280 the Zone, and Jazz Gaming.
A graduate of Brigham Young University, Tanner holds a bachelor’s degree in communications and broadcast sales and management. He is a native of Murray, Utah, and currently resides in Cottonwood Heights with his wife, Brandy. They have seven children and four grandchildren, and enjoy spending time with family, hiking and traveling. Greg enjoys playing pickleball, golf, and fly fishing with his sons. They also have a French Bulldog, Lulu.
Saren is the founder and director of Power of Families (PowerofFamilies.com) and hosts the podcast Power of Families Radio. Over the past 12 years, more than 200,000 parents around the world have participated in Saren’s online and in-person presentations, courses, conferences, and retreats.
Prior to her work with Power of Families, Saren had the opportunity to do humanitarian and missionary work in Eastern Europe (setting up volunteer programs in orphanages there), participate in humanitarian service trips in Africa and Bolivia, co-direct national Make a Difference Day and volunteer recognition efforts for the Points of Light Foundation in Washington D.C., write materials for the Harvard Family Research Project, design and run enrichment programs in schools in Boston, develop teacher training and curriculum for schools and preschools, and design and conduct trainings for educators throughout the United States for the Corporation for National Service.
Saren and her husband, Jared, currently live in Ogden, Utah and are parents of five children ages 14 to 19. As a family, the Looslis have been involved in many community volunteer efforts and have done a lot of fundraising and hands-on work with orphanages in Eastern Europe.
Jim Charles is an entrepreneur with over 20 years of international business expertise. Jim has spent his career working across the globe with focuses in Africa, South East Asia, Europe and LATAM. In addition to the United States, Jim has lived and worked in Europe, Asia and Africa and has extensive work and operational experience in the U.K., Philippines, India, Colombia, Taiwan, Ghana, Mexico, Costa Rica, Puerto Rica, Spain, Ireland and South Africa. Jim currently serves as co-founder and Chief Client Officer of Buwelo, a Business Process Outsourcing company headquartered out of Nevada and with operations in the United States, The Philippines and Colombia.
Jim’s passion for travel and his love for different peoples and cultures has been a perfect fit for Family Humanitarian. Jim firmly believes in sharing the blessings of his success and sees no better platform than clean water, better health and education for the impoverished and less fortunate. In addition to Family Humanitarian, Jim supports charities in the U.S. and abroad. Raised in Kentucky, Jim currently splits his time equally between Utah and Hawaii where he enjoys time with his family and chasing the sun. Jim is an avid sports fan and runner and competes in marathons around the world.
Brandon was born and raised in Northern Utah and served a two-year mission to Thailand and Cambodia. He then attended the University of Utah and received his Bachelor of Arts in Business with a Marketing emphasis. He has enjoyed a successful career as a sales professional for the past 20 years. He has four daughters and one son whom he adores.
In 2017, he attended a Family Humanitarian expedition with his children. Since then, he has been on multiple development expeditions to Uganda, Kenya, and Ghana. He has been instrumental in helping Family Humanitarian create a board of directors and expand our education, water programs, and fundraising efforts. His family has shared his passion for Family Humanitarian and has supported and helped provide encouragement and inspiration.
Sheldon was born in Salt Lake City on May 24, 1968. He is the youngest of nine children. When
Sheldon was eight years old the family moved to Layton City. Sheldon graduated from Layton High School in 1986 and Weber State University in 1994. He currently resides in Layton, Utah. He and Nicole have four children and five grandchildren.
Sheldon has been actively involved and connected within the community. In 1987 he became a board member for the South Davis Chamber of Commerce. In 2000 he was instrumental in the process of merging the three Chambers of Commerce in Davis County; Sheldon was elected as the first Chair of the Board in 2000. In 2003 Sheldon served on the founding board of the Davis Convention and Visitors Bureau. In June of 2003 Governor Leavitt appointed Sheldon to the Utah State Senate to represent District 21, filling a vacancy. He was re-elected in November of 2004 and again in 2006 where he spent most of his time on committees involving Transportation and Economic Development. He was elected into Senate Leadership after three years and was the Senate Majority Leader when he left the Senate in 2010. Sheldon has also served on the Board of the North Davis Hospital and Medical Center, Utah Defense Alliance, Utah Transit Authority, the Davis Convention and Visitors Bureau and the United Way of Salt Lake Executive Steering Committee, Co-Chair of the Utah Sports Commission, and the Utah Center for Digital Arts Executive Committee.
Born and raised in beautiful Cache Valley, Utah, Rachel attended Utah State University and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Public Relations and a master’s degree in Business Administration. She finds true joy now in motherhood and in helping people through various ways to rise to the their full potential and become self-reliant. She has tremendous gratitude that she gets to be a part of the growth of Family Humanitarian because of the lasting friendships and ways it has expanded her heart and mind. Her greatest joy is raising six children and having fun adventures with her family.
Born and raised in northern Utah, Steve graduated from Utah State University with a Bachelor’s in Communications and Master’s in Instructional Technology. He works as a Product Manager, digital media consultant, and content creator for major travel and outdoor brands. Steve has a great passion for adventure travel, community development, and loves helping people realize their potential by living on purpose. He lives in Utah with his wife, Rachel, and six children.
David, the youngest of three children, was born and raised in the Dallas area. He attended Brigham Young University and was called to serve in the Austria Vienna Mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints where he grew to love and respect the people and culture. After returning from his mission and finishing his undergraduate work, David was accepted into the College of Veterinary Medicine at Texas A&M where he graduated with a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine.
David and his wife, Michaela, were married in the Dallas Temple and have been blessed with 5 wonderful children who remind them of that which is of greatest worth. After working more than 20 years in the veterinary profession, David and Michaela have trusted in the Lord and have turned more of their time and energy toward serving those less fortunate. David is currently working toward making humanitarian work his full-time pursuit.
Born and raised primarily in Nebraska, Michaela attended Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas where she earned a Bachelor’s of Business Administration majoring in both Accounting and Finance. Michaela has always had a passion for humanitarian work. She and her husband have worked throughout their marriage toward the goal of being able to help people in need throughout the world and feel blessed to see that goal come to fruition. Michaela has started and run several successful businesses and has served in various leadership roles. Some of her greatest joys have been found in raising her five beautiful children. Michaela and her family currently reside in Dallas, Texas.
Sarah is enjoying her role as a stay-at home mom to 4 young children, having traded life in the corporate world for the opportunity to spend time with them. She worked at Marriott International, the largest hotel company in the world, for 17 years, both at their corporate headquarters and on property. She grew up in San Antonio, Texas in a family of 8 children and graduated in Elementary Education from Brigham Young University. Sarah enjoys reading, photography, creating things, trying out new restaurants, cooking and soaking up time with family. She is married to Tyler DeLange and loves his big heart for helping others.
Tyler DeLange is one of the original founders, and a current director, of Family Humanitarian. He also helped to co-found Singular Humanitarian in 2009. Tyler is a physician in Emergency Medicine and currently works for Utah Emergency Physicians (UEP). He completed his residency at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland.
Born and raised in the San Fernando Valley of Southern California, Tyler’s passion for humanitarian work began at the age of 11 when he helped serve in an orphanage across the boarder in Ensenada, Mexico. Since that time he served as a missionary in Argentina, and has served on a number of humanitarian expeditions to Ghana, Kenya, Guatemala, Bolivia, Guyana, Peru, Nepal, and Uganda, in addition to organizing humanitarian efforts during the year from the United States. He currently lives in South Jordan, Utah with his wife Sarah, and 4 children. His hobbies include canyoneering, trekking, and basketball, among many other interests.
