Das Kalamu Team
Corinna Heller holds a master’s degree in architecture and has been working for several years as a construction manager in a mid-sized building company near Stuttgart. She is responsible for the design, planning, and coordination of construction projects. For her, building is not just a profession but a passionate mission where sustainability, innovative materials, new educational concepts, and the realization of large-scale projects go hand in hand. Her passion lies not only in constructing buildings, but in creating environments that are livable, long-lasting, and have a positive impact on society.
Cora Reckers holds a law degree with a specialization in international and public international law. She is currently completing her legal traineeship in Berlin. Within the KALAMU association, she is primarily responsible for administrative matters and the coordination of legal issues with our partners in Germany and Uganda. She is committed to supporting education and the construction of the school in Uganda because she firmly believes that education is the key to individual growth and social progress. Through this school project, she hopes to contribute to equal opportunities and make a positive difference in the lives of children in Uganda.
Corinna and Cora have successfully supported several donation-funded educational projects in South Africa over the past years. Their work has always focused on addressing concrete local needs together with those responsible on site. At the heart of their efforts lies the conviction that access to education depends not only on infrastructure and materials but also on stable structures, reliable collaboration, and mutual exchange on equal terms. For the current school construction project in Uganda, close cooperation with the local KALAMU team is essential. The focus is on continuous communication, mutual trust, and the goal of centering local conditions and perspectives in the planning process.
Renate Heller is a certified construction technician with over 40 years of professional experience in the building sector. For more than two decades, she managed large-scale housing and industrial construction projects and now works as a project and site manager. Within the KALAMU association, she serves as treasurer and is responsible for managing donations and various administrative tasks. She also contributes her many years of practical experience in construction and provides support in the structural and design planning of the school campus in Uganda. Additionally, she advises on the layout of the school’s interior spaces.
Kenneth Tugume holds a bachelor’s degree in social work and community development. He has many years of experience as a vocational school teacher and principal in Uganda and is a passionate advocate for sustainability, environmental protection, and the use of renewable energy. He is committed to ensuring that students not only learn theoretical concepts but also develop practical skills that enable them to contribute to environmental protection. His goal is to raise awareness about sustainable living and to empower young people to drive positive change in their communities and beyond. Kenneth will serve as the head of the school campus for KALAMU, sharing his vision of sustainability with future generations.
Anna Nagawa holds a bachelor’s degree in hotel and tourism management from Makerere University School of Business and a diploma in hotel and tourism management from the Crested Crane Hotel and Tourism Institute in Jinja. She also has valuable professional experience in the education sector and has worked in various schools, deepening her expertise in school management and pedagogy. With more than 10 years of experience as a hotel manager in the hospitality industry, she brings excellent leadership, management, financial, and customer service skills. Her educational work in schools has further enriched her understanding of educational systems and management.
Why “KALAMU”?
The name KALAMU means “pen” in Swahili, a language widely spoken in East Africa, including Uganda. The choice of this name reflects the association’s core mission: promoting education, language, and expression, all of which are essential to the learning and everyday lives of children and young people.
At the same time, the name reflects a deep connection to the region where the current school construction project is taking place. By consciously acknowledging the local language and cultural context, the association expresses respect and a sense of belonging.
The core of KALAMU’s work is to support educational structures that enable school attendance for children and young people, regardless of their social or economic background. The planning of every project is guided by what is needed on the ground and initiated by those responsible locally. KALAMU sees itself as an initiative that provides financial support to strengthen local educational efforts over the long term, in close cooperation with the people who shape education on site.
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