Our Founders
John & Mavis Kamara
Founders and Operational Directors
John and Mavis Kamara founded Kamara’s Heart Foundation in 2020 following John’s return to Sierra Leone in 2019, his first visit since leaving as a child during the civil war. Deeply moved by the poverty and lack of educational opportunities he encountered, John and Mavis began using their own earnings to purchase land in Rokel and establish a school that now provides free education to more than 300 children.
As Founders and Operational Directors, John and Mavis continue to lead the Foundation’s work alongside the Board and teams in Australia, Sierra Leone and Ghana. Based in Tasmania, they balance this work with their jobs and raising four children. In 2023, they travelled to Africa with their children, strengthening their family’s connection to the communities they support and sharing their belief in the opportunities education can create.
Kamara’s Heart Board Members
Our board volunteers its time and expertise to guide the foundation’s work and support its long-term vision.
Selina Kinne
Board Chair
Selina is an experienced educational leader with almost 40 years of experience in State, Catholic, and Independent School sectors. Her career has spanned Tasmania, ACT, and Queensland, where she has held various leadership positions.
In 2001, Selina and her husband Laurie moved to Tasmania with their young family. They served in C3 Hobart, leading the C3 Kids program, serving in the Welcome Team, and overseeing Connect Groups. During this time, she developed a strong connection with John and Mavis Kamara. Passionate about supporting mission projects, Selina and Laurie have been actively supporting Kamara’s Heart projects for several years.
Since moving to Queensland, Selina has continued to support Kamara’s Heart and now serves as Board Chair. She values collaboration and teamwork, providing guidance and advice to help the Board maintain a strong vision, efficient processes, and effective communication.
Bring your skills. Make a difference.
We’re seeking a Secretary and Treasurer who can bring knowledge, experience and sound judgement to the Kamara’s Heart Foundation board. Working alongside John and Mavis, the board provides strategic direction and guidance to help the foundation make the best possible decisions for the children it supports.
Secretary
Manage board documents, records and communications, and support well-organised meetings through agendas, minutes and follow-up actions.
Treasurer
Bring financial management experience to support budgeting, reporting and financial oversight, helping the board make informed decisions about the foundation’s resources.
Experience we value
We welcome people with board or management experience, particularly in charities or foundations. Financial management skills are especially valuable, and legal experience would also strengthen the board’s ability to guide the foundation’s work.
These are voluntary, unpaid board roles. We’re welcoming enquiries and expressions of interest by email ahead of publishing the position descriptions and advertising the roles on employment platforms.
Email an enquiry or expression of interest
admin@kamarashearrtfoundation.org.au