Shakan Mission Uganda Ltd Team
Roseann “Rosie” Dennerlein
Co-Founder, Chief Executive Officer
Empowering and transforming lives has been a passion of Rosie as a child and in her 30 year career as a Counselor for Students with Disabilities at Northwestern Connecticut Community College. After an early retirement in 2014, Rosie founded Oils of Shakan, LLC, which provided aromatherapy products she formulated, as well as aromatherapy education from a biblical perspective.
During Rosie’s first trip to Jinja, Uganda in 2019, she trained over 100 women from the local community savings groups in how to make a mosquito repellant to prevent malaria. During this trip, she was instrumental in the birthing of AWEC (Arise Women Empowerment Center- Africa).
Rosie witnessed the self-sacrifice and hunger for the women to have a better life, which fueled her desire to empower women and families to overcome poverty. The Lord called her to move to Uganda, and she purchased land for what is now called the Shakan Global Mission Center.
Rosie founded Shakan Global Mission LLC in February 2022 in the USA as an exciting opportunity to connect people of different cultures to foster spiritual growth, education, economic empowerment and overall health. In August 2022 she became the Co-Founder of Shakan Mission Uganda, LTD as an avenue to respond to the needs of the vulnerable communities and run the programs indigenously.
Rosie has already witnessed many miraculous acts of God during and after her trips to Uganda since 2019. Rosie looks forward to continuing the mission of igniting hope for healthy transformed families not only in Uganda, but as people come to serve from all over the world.
Hannah Nanyange
Co-Founder, Construction Project Manager, Director of Administration and Development
Born with a passion for building, Hannah grew up avidly watching every TV program about constructing and repairing homes.
Hannah raised two children as a single mother. Her son, who just graduated from college with a degree in engineering, shares the same zeal.
Hannah’s natural gifting for visualizing a home from blueprints to completion became known to the community. Helping to oversee the building of a friend’s home was the beginning of other referrals. The Shakan Global Mission Guest House is the largest project she has undertaken as project manager.
In addition to building, Hannah caters food for special events. She was the perfect solution for Rosie’s first trip to Jinja in September 2019. Hannah was hired to show Rosie how to prepare food the Ugandan way and continue in good health.
Hannah was instrumental in purchasing the land and the idea of the guest house. As Project Manager for the construction of Shakan Global Mission Center, she has utilized her building knowledge and management skills to work with the engineer, foreman, and oversee teams of laborers. Hannah stands out among construction crew as the only one wearing a hard hat with a skirt!
Having raised two children as a single mother; she has overcome many hardships. She is grateful that her children received educational support to enable them to graduate from college and succeed in their careers.
As the Co-Founder and Director of Administration and Development, Hannah is using her passion for empowering teens and families to rise above poverty and grow in Christ.
She loves working with Shakan Global Mission because of her heart to transform the lives of Ugandans for God’s glory.
Nicodemus Okecho
Programs Coordinator
Nicodemus brings a wealth of experience to the Shakan Mission Uganda LTD team.After graduating from Uganda Christian University, he became a teacher, then rose to the rank of headmaster. As the headmaster of Jinja Central School, the school ranked number one in the region for its performances in the National exams. He encouraged ALL students to work to their potential, including vulnerable students. After 15 years as a headmaster, he founded Rural Aid Uganda, a non-government organization (NGO) to empower vulnerable communities with education, health and improve their livelihood. In addition to working as the Programs Coordinator for Shakan Mission Uganda, he serves as an Accredited Court Mediator for the Jinja High Court. His skills in dispute resolution and reconciliation of families are an asset as he reaches out to the community. Nicodemus, with his vast experience, skills and connections in the NGO world, is playing an integral role in the registration and establishment of Shakan Mission Uganda, LTD. He is a dedicated family man, with a wife and four children ages 4-24. Having come from a poor family, Nicodemus serves as a role model for the Hope that Christ has given him to rise above poverty. He loves working for Shakan Mission Uganda, “I’m passionate about serving Christ and seeing lives changed in vulnerable families.”
Our Board
Roseann “Rosie” Dennerlein
President, Executive Director
Empowering and transforming lives has been a passion of Rosie as a child and in her 30 year career as a Counselor for Students with Disabilities at Northwestern Connecticut Community College. After an early retirement in 2014, Rosie founded Oils of Shakan, LLC, which provided aromatherapy products she formulated, as well as aromatherapy education from a biblical perspective.
During Rosie’s first trip to Jinja, Uganda in 2019, she trained over 100 women from the local community savings groups in how to make a mosquito repellant to prevent malaria. During this trip, she was instrumental in the birthing of AWEC (Arise Women Empowerment Center- Africa).
Rosie witnessed the self-sacrifice and hunger for the women to have a better life, which fueled her desire to empower women and families to overcome poverty. The Lord called her to move to Uganda, and she purchased land for what is now called the Shakan Global Mission Center.
Rosie founded Shakan Global Mission LLC in February 2022 in the USA as an exciting opportunity to connect people of different cultures to foster spiritual growth, education, economic empowerment and overall health. In August 2022 she became the Co-Founder of Shakan Mission Uganda, LTD as an avenue to respond to the needs of the vulnerable communities and run the programs indigenously.
Rosie has already witnessed many miraculous acts of God during and after her trips to Uganda since 2019. Rosie looks forward to continuing the mission of igniting hope for healthy transformed families not only in Uganda, but as people come to serve from all over the world.
Carlton “Kip” Mentzer
Treasurer
Over the past 12 years Kip has developed an increasing awareness of and respect for the people of Africa through mission trips to 4 African countries.
Knowing Rosie from a weekly Bible study for a few years and observing how God has clearly called her to start this work in Uganda, God prompted Kip to serve on the board of this new mission.
Having recently retired from a 40-year career in engineering and business management, Kip is excited to use his experiences and servant heart to assist this mission.
It will be wonderful to see how God blesses the people of Uganda and beyond through Shakan Global Mission!
Lynda Kazairwe
Secretary
Lynda is originally from Uganda. She met Rosie at Wellspring Church and bonded over a shared love for Uganda and the Lord.
Lynda has experience in corporate law and management and is also passionate about empowering others to fulfill their potential through mentoring and coaching.
Growing up in Uganda with Ubuntu Culture, Lynda has been involved in several formal and informal causes educating underprivileged families affected by HIV/AIDS, war, and poverty.
It is a privilege and honor to be part of Shakan Global vision and efforts to cause transformation through the word of God and grassroots economic empowerment in Uganda.
Lynda runs Praxis HomeCare, is a Genetic Navigator and a Parent listener with PATH CT and sits on the advisory board of the Newborn Screening Family Advisory Group of Connecticut Children’s Hospital.
Alberta Goodwin
Administration
Alberta was born and raised in New Haven, CT and has always had a heart to help others. She loves her 3 adult children, granddaughter, and her little dog, Oliver.
Alberta has worked 35 years as an Information Technology Manager for the State Department of Transportation, and recently retired.
She has been using her administrative and strategic skills for Shakan Global Mission.
Alberta has been amazed at how God was worked so mightily thus far, and plans to see it first hand. She looks forward to being a part of the adventures God has in store to transform lives in Uganda and in the USA.
Robert “Rob” Jordan
Director
Rob worked as an executive in the Financial and Insurance industry until he started an insurance business in his hometown.
Rob has four adult children. He was actively involved in their lives as both an attentive father and a basketball and soccer coach for them and their community teams.
Rob’s oldest son, RJ, was born with a severe developmental disability. This introduced Rob to a whole new world, which turned into a passion to serve individuals with Special Needs and the organizations that support them.
He enjoyed serving as the Vice President of FAVARH (Farmington Valley ARC), a non-profit organization which helps individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities achieve their personal best.
Through his love for Christ and family, as well as the country of Uganda showing up in many different ways in his life, he is committed to helping the families and communities in this beautiful country.
Birthing of Uganda and Guest House
Hannah Nanyange
Co-Founder, Construction Project Manager, Director of Administration and Development
Born with a passion for building, Hannah grew up avidly watching every TV program about constructing and repairing homes.
Hannah raised two children as a single mother. Her son, who just graduated from college with a degree in engineering, shares the same zeal.
Hannah’s natural gifting for visualizing a home from blueprints to completion became known to the community. Helping to oversee the building of a friend’s home was the beginning of other referrals. The Shakan Global Mission Guest House is the largest project she has undertaken as project manager.
In addition to building, Hannah caters food for special events. She was the perfect solution for Rosie’s first trip to Jinja in September 2019. Hannah was hired to show Rosie how to prepare food the Ugandan way and continue in good health.
Hannah was instrumental in purchasing the land and the idea of the guest house. As Project Manager for the construction of Shakan Global Mission Center, she has utilized her building knowledge and management skills to work with the engineer, foreman, and oversee teams of laborers. Hannah stands out among construction crew as the only one wearing a hard hat with a skirt!
Having raised two children as a single mother; she has overcome many hardships. She is grateful that her children received educational support to enable them to graduate from college and succeed in their careers.
As the Co-Founder and Director of Administration and Development, Hannah is using her passion for empowering teens and families to rise above poverty and grow in Christ.
She loves working with Shakan Global Mission because of her heart to transform the lives of Ugandans for God’s glory.
Mariam Namusabi
Director of AWEC-Africa
Mariam has played a vital role in the birthing of Shakan Global Mission.
Mariam’s ten-year career as a banker combined with a heart for empowering vulnerable women led her to start women’s savings groups in 2017.
In September 2019, Mariam took a bold leap of faith as a single mother of 3 children. She resigned from her position as a banker and followed God’s call for full time ministry. A mutual friend introduced Mariam to Rosie at this time.
Since the Fall of 2019, there has been exponential growth of women who joined 5 different savings groups that Mariam oversees.
She keeps active with various projects all aimed at empowering women. These include group businesses to make books, bricks, and to provide catering services. Mariam has taken the first steps toward providing Microloans by becoming a registered SACCO (Savings And Credit Cooperative).
Small beginnings blossomed into Arise Women Empowerment Center-Africa (AWEC), a Non-Profit Organization (NGO) in 2021.
AWEC has provided a platform for teams of short-term mission workers to come to the Shakan Global Mission Guest House to serve women, children, and families.
Together, AWEC and Shakan Global continue to be God’s vessels for cultivating thriving households and communities.
Pastor Robert Olwenyi
Spiritual Advisor
At a young age, Pastor Robert embraced Jesus as Lord and Savior after witnessing a radical healing miracle with his uncle.
Robert grew in his relationship with Christ until his early teenage years, where he switched his focus to drinking with his peers. Through a book that a friend gave him, this Scripture ignited a fire within Robert, “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.” (Matt 24:42). He began to fervently read the Bible, started a fellowship in his high school, and stepped into his pastoral calling at the age of 20. Pastor Robert has 15 years of preaching, teaching bible studies, sharing Jesus in the marketplace, and organizing crusades under his belt. He is a mighty prayer warrior, who can pray all night and still be energized the next day by the supernatural grace of God! Pastor Robert is currently the Pastor of True Light Fellowship in Jinja as well as the Pastor of Arise Women Empowerment Center – Africa (AWEC). He has prayed over the property and construction on several occasions. Shakan Global Mission is blessed to have this man of God as a Spiritual Advisor.