Our History

In 2002, Kevin Bouchard traveled to Uganda for ten months to work for the Uganda Microfinance Union in Kampala. During that time he was fortunate to work with many Ugandans and travel to Rwanda, Kenya and Tanzania. Some of his most vivid memories of Africa were of the children he met and their determination, drive and perseverance in situations of poverty and constant daily struggle.

After returning to the United States in 2003, Kevin began to support two children who lived in his neighborhood in Uganda by assisting with their ever increasing school fees. The children’s letters spoke of their gratefulness for the opportunity to go to school and learn, which many of their friends and neighbors could not afford.  Seeing the impact on these two students, Kevin began to think about a project that could benefit more children on a much larger scale.

The Dobbyn Foundation was formed in 2005 out of the realization that without financial support and a strong advocate, the majority of children in East Africa would never be able to set foot in a secondary school classroom. Our goal is to provide an opportunity for secondary education to East African children who would normally be cast aside because of school fees and financial limitations.

IN HONOR OF…
The Dobbyn Foundation was created in memory of Robert Dobbyn (1920-2000), formerly of Braintree, Massachusetts. He was a graduate of Harvard University, a Captain in the Navy Reserves during World War II and served as a Senior Vice-President of the Boston Safe Deposit & Trust Company. Among other charitable activities, Mr. Dobbyn was a President of Morgan Memorial Goodwill Industries, President and Director of Family Counseling and Guidance Centers Inc., and a trustee of Regis College in Weston, Massachusetts. Mr. Dobbyn was better known for his love and generosity toward his family, friends and grandchildren.