OUR BOARD MEMBERS
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Sylvain Nana
VICE PRESIDENT
Sylvain is originally from Burkina Faso, West Africa. He was born in Mogtedo, the village in which the school is located. Sylvain is married and is a father of 3 boys. He moved to the USA over 20 years in order to provide better living conditions for his family. Sylvain is a registered nurse working at Presbyterian Hospital for 20 years now. He graduated from the University of South Dakota with an Associate Degree in Nursing and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree from the New Mexico Highlands University. Sylvain has seen firsthand the living conditions most of the children are in, and the help they really need to achieve their potential and goal in regard to school.
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KARINA BRUNSMA
SECRETARY
Karina grew up in many different areas of the United States, but has spent the majority of her life in Albuquerque, NM. She completed her Bachelors of Science in Nursing in 2019, and has been working as a Registered Nurse in a Progressive Care Unit for about 2 1/2 years. She feels honored to work in a profession that is rooted in healing, and dedicated towards comforting patients and their families as they navigate some of the most difficult times of their lives. Her dream of hers is to be able to use the skills she has learned in Nursing, and apply them towards missionary work in other countries, in the form of education and prevention. Karina looks forward to serving the village of Mogtedo, and creating diverse, educational opportunities for their children.
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LUIS CRUZ-MARTINEZ
TREASURE
Luis is originally from Cuba but has lived in the United States most of his life. He has always had a passion for missions and helping others, so he feels privileged to be working with the Thrive of Mogtedo in bringing aid to this village. Our mission is to instill hope, affection, and love to the students in the village but also give the parents and teachers the tools needed to help these amazing boys and girls achieve their full potential. Luis loves this quote from Nelson Mandela that says, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”, and he truly believes that these children can not only change the world but make a profound difference in their communities. He looks forward to being a part of this transformation and pray that you will join us in creating better opportunities for the village.
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EMILY CONWAY
DONOR RELATION
Emily is the Dean of Student Success at Sandia High School and the head volleyball coach there as well. She graduated from the University of New Mexico with her M.S. in Physical Education. Emily is honored to see many students on a day-to-day basis and provide them with resources and opportunities to succeed in their education and life. She has the heart to love people like Jesus and is eager to help the people of Mogetdo in any way she can. Emily understands the necessity of providing the village with education, if we can reach the young generation and teach them valuable tools to succeed, they will grow up and be equipped to help the next generation and so on. We are reaching the children to reach the village.
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NOÉ BARNETT
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Noé was born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico. After a failed career in law enforcement, he attended the University of New Mexico and graduated with a fine arts degree! Since then he has worked all over the country and hopes to bring a creative aspect to thrive.
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ISSOUF NIKIEMA
SCHOOL DIRECTOR
Issouf is married and has two kids. He has been teaching since 1993 and became a director of the school in 2007. In 2015, Issouf moved to Mogtedo to become the director of the school. He is also a soccer referee for the local soccer team in Ouagadougou.
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LUCIENNE LALLOGO
BOARD ADVISORY
Lucienne is married and has two kids. She has been teaching at the school of Mogtedo for about three years now. Lucienne enjoys cooking and taking her kids to their volleyball or soccer games. During the summer she goes back to her village to help her family to cultivate.
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FULBERT TIEMTORÉ
COORDINATOR
Fulbert was born and raised in the village of Mogtedo. He is married and has three kids. Fulbert has been teaching for 28 years and he is now the educational advisor for secondary education since 2015.
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Zenabo Bonkoungou
BOARD ADVISORY / HEAD COOK
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EMILE TIEMTORÉ
ASSISTANCE COORDINATOR
Emile is not married and does not have children. He has been teaching at a school called le Creuset Plus in Ouagadougou since 2001. Emile spends his time volunteering for his church and his part of the choir for the church.