Our Team
Ryan Kaminski
Founder & School Director
In 2008, after his first year at Grand Valley State University, Ryan Kaminski traveled to Africa to spend his summer teaching at several different primary schools in Uganda. Upon his return to the states he could not stop thinking about a young boy he met named Kayango. This young boy became representative of the struggle of many children in Uganda. Ryan was compelled to return once again with a dream to start a school for orphaned and vulnerable children.
Rising Star Junior School opened its doors to 295 children in February of 2012 and has continued to expand its reach into educating and enriching the lives of many more students and their families. Ryan lives at the school during the school year and oversees all operation of the school. He occasionally travels back to his hometown in Michigan to promote the school and help raise funds to support the school and help with its expansion. He has a huge heart for Uganda and its children!!