Board of Directors
The HUGS staff and Board of Directors is made up entirely of volunteers. While we are not paid in money, we feel very blessed by the progress being made because of our efforts in Uganda. Every member of the Board is dedicated to improving the lives of the women and children who struggle to survive in areas where childhood is often perilous. We are career professionals with expertise in medicine and business. Keep reading to get to know each of us a little better.
Meet the Board...
Victoria Gibson, BSN
President & Chairman of the Board
My love for Africa started as a very young child when I learned of Lake Victoria. I remember sitting in my classroom praying that I would one day be able to see "my" lake. Once I became a Christian, I prayed to become a missionary and/or be used in any way God saw fit. Along with those two occurrences, I earned my nursing degree from Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego. All of my dreams came true when the Lord allowed me to travel to Uganda. I fell in love with the country, the people, the culture and the way of life lived there. I was taught about the problems of the people by the residents of a very small village in the southern region of Uganda. This was a life changing visit. Once home, I prayed to be able to do more. HUGS is the result of this prayer. It has been a life long road, but the journey has been awesome. It is my prayer, at this time, to be used by God to help the people that I have come to love so very much.
Lawrence Gibson
Chief Financial Officer & Director
larry@hugsforchildren.org
I was raised in San Diego County and received my engineering degree from Northrop University in Inglewood, California. During my 25-year career in engineering, product marketing and executive management, I learned how to make the best use of available resources to achieve positive goals for various high-tech companies. But somewhere along the way I realized that God had given me certain abilities, and I longed to apply those talents toward His purposes. Following her first trip to Uganda, my wife Vicky told me of the tremendous need of the children in the remote villages. When I visited these villages personally, I was amazed to see how the people there could accomplish so much with so little. A small contribution could educate a child or build a house or feed a family. Using local resources, a school building or a dormitory could be constructed for a fraction of what it might cost in the USA. Seeing the opportunity, it became my heart's desire to help the people in these villages by participating in the operation of HUGS.
Sueann Silva
Secretary/Event Planner
In March of 2005, I applied to be part of a team going to Thailand. Our mission was to rebuild a Tsunami-stricken village outside of Phuket. As a member of that team, I was assigned a traveling buddy. Her name is Vicky Gibson. After 20+ hours on a plane (each way) and countless hours working together, I learned about HUGS. Having been raised, in part, in Colombia, South America, I am no stranger to third-world countries and their plight. When I heard of HUGS, it cut right to my core. I knew that God had placed us together for a reason. I joined HUGS not only for myself but for my children. I needed them to know that one person can change someone's life. One child at a time. I visited Africa later in 2005. I was struck by the need. I have become steadfast in my resolve to help the children. They are truly the future of the country. I know that compassion for others is "caught" not taught. I work on instilling the vision in both my family and community. I am most grateful for the response I have had from my children. My daughter Sofia has started "Kids Feeding Kids". Her brother and sister have jumped in to help as well. I was so excited to see first hand the vision that has now become reality. The vision we call HUGS.
Erin Lima
Director, Public Relations/Marketing
Born and raised in San Diego, received degrees in Graphic Design and Business Marketing. Even as the only child of a single mom, growing up I always felt privileged. Having worked my way through college and raising 2 children (and a husband), I felt it was time to give back in some way. HUGS has given me and my family the opportunity to help one child, one village at a time.
Reese Mancillas
Director, Fund Raising
I wanted to sponsor a child or participate in an outreach of some sort for quite some time. Having been down many rough roads myself and having come back stronger and healthier spiritually, I wanted to give back. I have so much gratitude for what I have, but I find meaning in life by helping others. I've had the opportunity to help many women over the years, find their way back from their own individual troubles, but have had a pull towards doing more. I have been a friend of Vicky's and over the years have watched her grow and thrive in her drive to make H.U.G.S. successful and was inspired by her obvious calling to this purpose and love for the children of Uganda. I sponsor two children and was privileged to go to Africa this past October, 2008 to meet them, help out in the village and get a taste of what these children and H.U.G.S. participation is all about. I was absolutely amazed at the overwhelming graciousness of the children and their gratitude for their very simple, yet fulfilling lives, thanks to H.U.G.S. For very little on our end, their entire existence is transformed into a future of hope and opportunity that otherwise is not much of an option. I'm honored to be of service in helping H.U.G.S. help these special children of Uganda to reach for their dreams and I am dedicated to opening the eye's of others to the very real need that exists.
Jon Llera
Mission Pastor
I grew up ten minutes from the Mexican border and whether my family was helping flood victims in Tijuana, or I was leading teams of students on missions trips as a youth pastor, my most fulfilling experiences have been helping and encouraging others in need.
In 2007, I was given the opportunity to lead a team from my church to Uganda with HUGS. I was stricken not only by the great need in that impoverished country, but also with the effectiveness of the HUGS projects. Though the trip involved an enormous amount of work, I knew I wanted others to have the same experience.
Upon my return, I was asked to partner with HUGS to help others to have successful missions experiences in Uganda. It is my hope that we can provide life-enriching experiences for those who travel, and life-altering help for families in Uganda.
Members at Large
Susan Rodgers, Eastern Rep.
Tom Heinrichs, DDS
Anita Paredes