Kim Vogel (1980) has been living and working in Uganda since 2006.
She studied to become a dance teacher in the Netherlands and worked in that profession for a number of years after completing her training. But she wanted more. She wanted to help people abroad.

Through the volunteer organisation “Kids World Wide”, she ended up in 2006 at a school project in southern Uganda. At St. Paul’s Kaaso Primary School in Kyotera, she supported a couple who had set up the school five years earlier. She had her own room there and gave ballet lessons to the children.
She also helped people in nearby Kabawanga whenever needed.

Initially, Kim planned to stay for one year, but she enjoyed it so much that in 2007 she moved to a house near the school. There she took care of a number of abused and abandoned children. She adopted some of them. Even in 2025, she is still regularly called upon to help when an abandoned baby is found.

When a baby or child was ill, she would take them to the Kyotera Medical Centre, a local hospital not far from the school. There she met Dr. Katwiire Ambrose.

Thanks to sponsors and funds, doctor Ambrose gave Kim in 2011  the opportunity to set up a department for severely malnourished children (Nutrition Unit) in the hospital. There was no such thing yet. In 2025, the department has expanded and she is now its coordinator.

In 2012, Kim bought a piece of land on which she started a demonstration farm. It was given the name Bivamuntuyo. Bivamuntuyo literally means “it comes from sweat”, in other words, “hard work pays off”. The intention was and is to use the proceeds to support the department for malnourished children.

People from the community can work on the farm, attend workshops and receive nutritional advice.
Over the years, the farm has expanded to include a modest peanut butter factory.

In 2024 a small school was built, where mothers can take sewing and hairdressing courses. They also receive practical agricultural lessons and are taught social skills. The aim is for the mothers to be able to set up their own businesses later on so that they can earn their own living.

In 2025, the ‘Stichting BIVA’ foundation was established in the Netherlands. This allows Kim to focus more on her practical work while the foundation provides support.

Updated: 10/09/2025