CAMERON VIVANCO
Founder and Ecuador Director Cameron Graham Vivanco is the Co-Founder of Education Equals Hope (E=H). Originally from NC, she has been in full time lay ministry for 23 years focusing on the voids that come with poverty, especially in the areas of education and leadership development. E=H started in Quito, Ecuador, where Cameron and her husband and three children serve as SAMS missionaries and has grown from helping one 15 year old girl finish third grade to serve over 2,000 students in five countries (Ecuador, Costa Rica, Haiti, Rwanda and Kenya). She also runs Hope on the Ground, a short-term teams program which supports the E=H students and their families. She started ministry in 1995 as the youth coordinator at the Episcopal Church of the Advent, in Spartanburg, SC and has been full time on the mission field for 18 years. She is a graduate of The University of the South, Sewanee, TN and holds a certificate in youth ministry from the Institute for Professional Youth Ministry. Cameron’s passion for her work comes from a desire to live out her faith so that students know that Jesus makes life better and makes us better at life. |
ROCIO MARTINEZ
Ecuador Finance Administrator Hi! I’m Rocio and I am from Quito, Ecuador. I am 38 years old and I have a son who is 6 years old. I studied Business Administration Engineering. From a very young age, I liked to work in youth ministry. I had the opportunity to volunteer at my church in some ministerial areas like children and youth. I also worked part-time to help with administrative tasks. I have also taken courses in Leadership Training that has helped me. I have known Cameron Vivanco since 2003 and seeing the passion that she has for serving others inspired my life greatly. I always liked social work and two years ago (in 2017), The Lord gave me the chance to start working with Education Equals Hope. I now help coordinate the scholarships for our students in Ecuador. My job allows me to get to know people even more and see how Jesús changes students and their family. It is a blessing to see how my profession can serve and help others. |
JOYCE PIPKIN
Les Cayes and Cavaillon, Haiti Site Coordinator Joyce is originally from the Chicago area and has lived in Columbia, SC since 1997 with her husband, John, a professional pilot with a passion for aviation ministries. She has a Master’s Degree in Business Administration and worked in the mortgage lending industry for over 30 years. In 1998, Joyce and John became active in the Outreach Ministries of Saint Mary’s Episcopal Church in Columbia. In 2001, they volunteered to travel to the far southwest of Haiti for the first time to visit and report on their church’s supported mission site. Haiti captured their hearts and Joyce committed to coordinate Saint Mary’s education sponsorship programs at Les Cayes and Cavaillon. Since then she has continued to visit Haiti three times each year. In 2012, the administration of these programs transitioned to Education Equals Hope. Joyce continues her passion to help the children and young adults of Haiti as volunteer site coordinator and short-term mission leader for E=H. She and her husband enjoy spending time with their family as well as flying, traveling and sharing about the variety of missions God has called them to serve. |
JIMMY BRUTUS
Onsite Coordinator - Les Cayes, Haiti Jim Brutus, Onsite Haiti Coordinator, also known to family and friends as “Junior”, was born in Les Cayes in the south of Haiti. He has two older brothers, Jean Max and Jameson. He never knew his father and his mother died when he was six years old. In 2003, Jimmy became an active member of St. Sauveur Parish in Les Cayes and was offered tuition assistance from a sponsorship program originated by St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, a mission partner church from Columbia, SC; this program is now administered by Education Equals Hope (E=H). Over the years, Jimmy became a youth leader, worship team member and lay leader in the church as well as the coordinator of the E=H Haiti Leadership Team. In April, 2013 Jimmy graduated from the Business and Technology Institute (BTI), an Episcopal business college in Les Cayes with an Associate Degree in Accountancy. Today Jimmy is married to, Myrlande, and they have a little girl named Jimmara. In April, 2016, he was hired as the Onsite Ministry Coordinator for E=H in Haiti as its first full-time Haitian employee. As a graduate of the E=H sponsorship program, Jimmy is an example of an excellent leader and mentor for others in the program. Jimmy says this is the plan of God in his life and he is ever-thankful for the opportunities he has been given as a result of the many donors who have supported the education sponsorship program. He believes that through what E-H is doing, many children like him will be blessed and find a way to have success in their life. |
MICHELE DUDLEY
Rwanda Site Coordinator Michele is the Founder of Fashion & Compassion, a ministry dedicated to empowering women overcoming poverty & injustice in Charlotte and six other countries around the world. Michele worked as the Executive Director of Seeds of Hope and founded and directed the Ignite Justice Conference in 2013. Michele began her career with KPMG and also worked with Bank of America. Michele graduated from the University of Southern California and has lived in Charlotte, North Carolina for over 20 years. Michele met Jean-Bosco Ntakirutimana in 2009 and encouraged him to start the Blessing School for the Visually Impaired after his blind daughter was born. Michele is married to Eric and together they have 4 children. When Michele isn’t following her passion for education and empowerment, she can be found reading, running or dancing. |
TRACI SLUSARSKI
Kenya Site Coordinator Traci Slusarski has been honored and humbled to partner with Shikinah Glory Missions, led by Pastor Benjamin and Christine Tanguli since 2011. With a heart for orphans and the incredible opportunity to make a difference in their lives, Traci has been able to help organize the building of a large orphanage in Kitale, Kenya as well as support many school programs with educational needs, food programs and medical help. “The Lord has given us the most generous and faithful donors who want to make a difference in the lives of children who have great basic needs. Being a blessing to the ministry of education in Africa gives a hope that changes the destiny of these little ones.“ I am blessed to have the open doors with amazing partners in Kenya as well as a wonderful organization to work with in Education Equals Hope.“ |
SCOTT AND LINDA MCANALLY
Costa Rica Site Coordinators Since moving from Austin, Texas to San Ramon, Costa Rica in 2009, Scott and Linda have supported their rural elementary school, and in 2012, helped create an educational scholarship program for the Community Action Alliance (CAA). CAA is pleased to partner with Education Equals Hope, Inc. on this educational scholarship program – to assist/encourage students in desperate need to graduate high school, and to help their families gain financial stability. Scott and Linda are actively assisted by their families and friends in Austin, Texas to support these efforts. Scott has been on the CAA Board for 7 years, 5 of which as Treasurer. Scott brings his experience in public institution administration/policy, and Linda’s experience in educational institution financial consulting (CPA) to lead this scholarship program and other CAA educational efforts. |
CELESTE BUNDY
Since 2008, Celeste has been given the wonderful opportunity to grow in relationship with marginalized and vulnerable individuals around the world and has been heavily involved with missions in Central/South America, the Caribbean, the Middle East and Africa over the past 10 years.
Celeste has volunteered a considerable amount of time with other non-profit organizations and her local church – Forest Hill Church.
Celeste’s highest calling is being a single-mom to her daughter, Miah. When she’s not working with groups around the world, she enjoys spending time with her immediate family and friends.
Feel free to contact Celeste at celeste@educationequalshope.org.
Since 2008, Celeste has been given the wonderful opportunity to grow in relationship with marginalized and vulnerable individuals around the world and has been heavily involved with missions in Central/South America, the Caribbean, the Middle East and Africa over the past 10 years.
Celeste has volunteered a considerable amount of time with other non-profit organizations and her local church – Forest Hill Church.
Celeste’s highest calling is being a single-mom to her daughter, Miah. When she’s not working with groups around the world, she enjoys spending time with her immediate family and friends.
Feel free to contact Celeste at celeste@educationequalshope.org.