Our History

Joanita Senoga graduated from Uganda’s Kibuli Teacher Training College in 1991 and began teaching in a public school in Kampala, the capital city of Uganda.  As a teacher, she became acutely aware of the injustice of mandatory school fees, and agonized over her students leaving school in tears because their parents could not pay the fees.
 
In 1994, she founded Circle of Peace School to offer education to students regardless of their ability to pay.  She taught at the school until 1996, when she was forced to flee her native land.  On her voyage to the United States, her belongings were stolen and she found herself in Richmond, Virginia, penniless. 
 

With perseverance and hard work, along with assistance from St. Andrews Episcopal Church, Joanita built a new life, completing a Bachelor of Arts degrees at the University
of Richmond and acquiring U.S. citizenship.  
 
In her absence, Joanita's family stepped up to run Circle of Peace School in Makindye, Uganda. Despite her own difficult circumstances, Joanita never forgot the students at her school and sent what funds she could spare to help with their care. 
 
As she talked with friends and colleagues about the school, some contributed funds to help with specific needs.  These friends encouraged Joanita to start communicating publicly about the school and how individuals could assist these deserving children with their education. 
 
In 2009, a group began meeting at the University of Richmond to assist Joanita in raising funds for the school.  In 2010, Circle of Peace International (COPI) was founded as a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit corporation in Virginia.  Today, COPI is governed by a Board of Directors that meets regularly.