About Us

Vision Statement

Ending multi-generational poverty by supporting dreams that build a better future.

Motto

Supporting dreams. Changing lives.

Our Focus

We believe that every person, regardless of who they are, is endowed with a unique dream and possesses the raw potential to achieve it. In the right environment, with proper structure and support, individuals can become the person they are destined to be. Operation iDream provides the fertile soil for dreams to take root, grow, and thrive in an impoverished area of Zambia that previously lacked opportunity.

Our Future

Unlike many non-profit organizations in Africa that help children survive the devastating effects of poverty, escape the clutches of objectification, treat illness, and aid with life in the absence of parental figures, our organization is designed to provide an individualized, holistic approach that goes well beyond these obvious surface-level issues. We treat each child as a person rather than a number. By providing an educational plan and an enriched environment for proper child development, Operation iDream is providing the tools and creating the support network that will ultimately bring self-sustainability to Zambia, a country that still relies heavily upon international aid in order to survive. Our aim is to break the cycle of poverty so that our children can move from crisis and a perpetual need for help to long-term, motivated, continuous self-improvement that advances the nation of Zambia into a brighter future.

Breaking this cycle of poverty means more than just meeting basic needs like food, medicine, clean water, and shelter. Poverty is not just physical, but also mental, emotional and spiritual. Poverty damages the psyche by creating a crushing sense of inadequacy and hopelessness. That’s why our organization focuses so much on education. We are empowering the next generation of leaders and professionals with the skills and confidence necessary to succeed locally and compete globally, ushering in a new era of prosperity for Zambia.

iDream Community School, iDream Clinic, and iDream Farm is strategically situated on 25 acres of farmland in the tribal region just south of Ndola. Currently, iDream Community School has 375 students, with the goal of eventually further increasing capacity as well as building a high school. The iDream Clinic provides preventative and on-call medical services to iDream students and the surrounding community. The iDream Farm focuses on providing the students with nutritious food, has opened a small, renewable source of income to Operation iDream, and brings the community together to learn about sustainable agriculture, environmental protection, and profitable produce marketing techniques. Future development includes iDream Trade School on the property, which will provide young adults with quality professional and entrepreneurial skills.

Our Faith

We believe every person, regardless of their present circumstances, was created in the image of God. As such, we believe every person should be treated in such a way that upholds their dignity and reinforces their worth in society. We strive to see, treat, lead, and teach everyone as God would - with kindness, humility, generosity, and love.

Our Founders

Samuel Sikapizye, along with his wife, Kasamba, are the founders of Operation iDream. Sam was born and raised in Ndola, Zambia. After high school graduation, he moved to South Africa to attend Rhema Bible College in Randburg. He then traveled to the United States to work as a camp counselor. Upon returning to Zambia, he married Kasamba and they both decided to move to America, where Sam became the Senior Pastor of Hankins Assembly of God in New York.

Sam currently lives in Sacramento, California, with his wife, Kasamba, and their two children, Niza and Raquel. He is President of Operation iDream and Chairman of the Board of Directors for the organization, as well as Urgent Care Chaplain/International Missions Pastor at Real Life Church. Ever passionate about helping the less fortunate, he frequently travels back to his home country with mission groups so that others may see first-hand the struggles young children face in poverty-stricken areas throughout Zambia and to oversee operations in the iDream community. In recent years, Sam climbed Mount Kilimanjaro to raise awareness of the issues Zambians must overcome as an independent country that is seeking to become a self-sustainable and prosperous nation. Through that adventure, he was able to raise tens of thousands of dollars for Operation iDream to expand its vision and capacity once more and to inspire countless Zambian school children to pursue their own unique dreams.

Born and raised in Zambia, Kasamba Sikapizye saw first-hand the value of community service through the example set by her parents. She studied Management of Information Systems in Zambia before moving to the United States to pursue a degree in Information Technology Management at SUNY College in New York. Inspired and motivated to achieve her own goals and to dream big, and fueled by the intensely emotional experience of watching a young girl die in her arms from a treatable insect-borne illness in Zambia many years ago; Kasamba, along with her husband, founded Operation iDream, an organization that offers children and young adults in rural Zambia the foundational necessities of a quality education, proper nutritious food, access to medical care, and the skills training necessary to support them in the pursuit of their own unique dreams.

Kasamba currently resides in Sacramento, California, with her husband, Sam, and their two children. She works for the state of California as an Information Technology Specialist. During her free time, she enjoys road trips (especially to anything beach-related), cooking, and passionately cheers on her favorite NBA basketball team.

Board Members

Mabvuto Kaela was born and raised in Ndola, Zambia. From a young age, he actively sought to serve in leadership roles that have shaped the servant leader he is today. Most notably, he was president of the Interact Club in Kansenshi Secondary School and was the project coordinator for the Ndola Rotaract Club, following his graduation from high school. In addition, he brings with him a diverse background of professional experiences that have prepared him to assist nonprofits in successfully navigating the complexities of business operations necessary to grow and thrive as an organization.

He moved to the United States to attend the Community College of Allegheny County in Pittsburgh for an Associate’s in Business. He earned his Bachelors at California University of Pennsylvania located in California, Pennsylvania and his Masters in Data Analytics at Robert Morris University of Pennsylvania. He currently resides in Sacramento, California, with his wife, two beautiful children, and small dog; and works as a Technical Support Specialist at Idexx Labs, Inc.

As a young athlete in high school with a love for tennis, Colleen Alvarez grew up with the ability to quickly analyze a situation, make sound decisions, and form winning strategies. She has used these skills to become a thriving business professional, landlord, and real estate investor in California. She is an independent real estate agent with New Vision Realty Group and an insurance sales entrepreneur under Primerica. She manages a rental property and purchases fixer upper properties for real estate flips.

Colleen was born in Ndola, Zambia, and is passionate about promoting opportunity for others in her home country. She currently lives in Sacramento, with her husband and their three children. An astute businesswoman, Colleen has an eye for fashion and a good sale - skills that keep her looking her best without breaking the budget. She also loves baking, DIY projects, decorating, and entertaining family and friends.

Chuck Marshall grew up on the bayou in Louisiana. While his childhood dream was to teach high school history, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served as a ship’s electrician during the Vietnam era. After leaving military service, Chuck moved to California (where he still resides today), and earned an Associate in Electronics Technology and a Bachelors in Psychology. Adept at rapidly learning and applying new skills, Chuck has been in numerous professions over the years: Community College Adjunct Instructor of Broadcast Communications & Technology, Crime Scene Analysis Technician for a Sheriff’s Department, Mountain Search & Rescue, Christian school Administrator, and sole proprietor for two communications businesses.

However, his passion for his Savior, Jesus Christ, and for the art of photography have remained constant throughout the years. This ultimately led Chuck to his calling while in retirement: to provide documentary photographs to Christian organizations. He uses his talent to present to the public an awareness of the plight of indigenous people in an effort to find others who likewise desire to make a difference in the world, by changing one young life at a time. He has traveled locally and around the world to help numerous Christian organizations that need high-quality photographs to advance their ministries. He has personally made three trips to Zambia, a country whose people have truly captured Chuck’s heart. He implores others, through his raw and deeply meaningful photographs, to become a part of the journey that throws open the doors of opportunity so that struggling young children can succeed and thrive.

Laura Hechel is a professional writer who is actively involved in the veteran community in Phoenix, Arizona, where she lives with her husband, two of their three children, and small menagerie of pets. Their oldest child currently lives nearby in the Barrett Honors College dorms and is majoring in Astronautical Engineering at Arizona State University.

Laura joined the United States Army immediately after high school graduation and served five years on active duty as a Signals Intelligence Analyst and Russian linguist. She was blessed to travel the world while she was stationed in Wurzburg, Germany. Upon receiving her honorable discharge from the military, she began working in banking as a loan underwriter in California, where she met the Sikapizye family and first learned about Operation iDream. She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Business Management and Masters in Business Administration at University of Phoenix, while working full-time and raising her young children. For over a decade, she has been home educating her children and providing professional writing services to various organizations around the globe. In her free time, she enjoys hiking mountains and drinking copious amounts of coffee with her husband.

Campbell Lumbila is the founder of Foresight Leadership Solutions (FLS) - a personal and organizational development firm. Before founding FLS, Campbell worked in the nonprofit sector, successfully developing and launching programs with wide community impact through the Salvation Army on both Long Island and Staten Island, New York. He later joined The Center for Discovery in Harris, New York, where he served as a Program Manager, developing and implementing programs for people with multiple disabilities.

Campbell holds a Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership from Regent University and resides in the Catskill Region of upstate New York with his wife and son.

Kwame Anku is the CEO and Chairman of the Black Star Fund, an early stage innovation fund. Prior to the Black Star Fund, Kwame co-founded and served as Principal of the Black Angel Tech Fund, a pioneering fund that focused on capitalizing Black technology entrepreneurs.

Recently named “One of the Top 25 Black Venture Capitalists to Watch in 2018” by Pitchbook, Kwame has worked extensively in business development and media marketing for over two decades. In September 2018, Kwame was selected to be one of only twenty-one recipients of the prestigious Aspen Ascend Fellowship from The Aspen Institute.

Kwame entered into the tech industry after being personally recruited by the late legendary rock star Prince to develop his mobile app, overseeing business and development teams in Africa, Asia and the US. He later went on to serve as the National Director of Strategic Development for the Prince-inspired #YesWeCode initiative, where he developed corporate and media partnerships. Kwame now serves as a mentor for both the AT&T Aspire Accelerator and Founder Institute Sacramento.

Kwame is an honors graduate of Stanford University.