About St. Bernard Foundation

Building opportunities. Strengthening inclusion. Creating lasting change.

St. Bernard Foundation is an independent non-profit organization dedicated to improving opportunities for children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing, Non-Verbal, and Blind or Visually Impaired.

We believe that every child deserves the opportunity to communicate, learn, participate, and live with dignity. When barriers to communication and inclusion are removed, children are better able to develop confidence, build relationships, succeed in education, and contribute meaningfully to their communities.

Our work is guided by the understanding that lasting change cannot be achieved by focusing on the child alone. Families, schools, communities, professionals, institutions, and public systems all play a vital role in creating an environment where children can thrive.

For this reason, we work collaboratively to strengthen not only individual lives but also the systems that support them. Through communication support, inclusive education, family empowerment, research, innovation, and strategic partnerships, we strive to create sustainable solutions that continue to benefit future generations

03 Who We Serve

A Clear and Specialized Focus

By maintaining a clear focus, we are able to develop specialized knowledge, stronger partnerships, and practical solutions that can be replicated and adapted by others.

Children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing

Children with hearing loss often face barriers to language acquisition, classroom participation and social connection long before they reach school. W...

Children who are Non-Verbal

A child without functional speech still has a voice. We promote Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC), assistive technologies and communica...

Children who are Blind or Visually Impaired

Access to information is the foundation of learning. We support Braille, accessible learning materials and assistive technology so that children who a...

04 What We Stand For

Our values

Our values shape our decisions, our relationships, and the way we serve. They define the culture of the Foundation and guide every program and partnership.

Dignity

We believe every child deserves to be treated with respect, compassion, and fairness.

Inclusion

We believe that diversity strengthens communities.

Integrity

Trust is built through honesty and accountability.

Compassion

We listen before we act.

Excellence

We strive for quality in everything we do.

Partnership

Lasting change cannot be achieved alone.

Stewardship

We are entrusted with resources, relationships, and opportunities.

Learning

Learning is essential to progress.

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We combine compassion with professionalism, and vision with practical action.

Our work is guided by evidence, strengthened through partnerships, and designed to create lasting impact. Rather than delivering short-term solutions, we focus on building knowledge, strengthening institutions, and developing sustainable models that can continue long after individual projects have ended.

We are distinguished by:

A clear and specialized focus on children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing, Non-Verbal, and Blind or Visually Impaired. A systems-strengthening approach that works with children, families, schools, communities, and institutions. A commitment to sustainability, designing programmes that can continue and be replicated beyond our direct involvement. A culture of learning and innovation, using evidence to improve practice and share knowledge. A belief in partnership, recognizing that lasting change is achieved through collaboration rather than working in isolation.

06 Governance & Leadership

Guided by purpose. United in service.

The Board provides strategic leadership, governance and oversight. It does not manage day-to-day operations — its role is to govern wisely, support effectively, and ensure accountability.

Chairperson

Renalda Bernard Mlay

Renalda Mlay is the Founder and Chairperson of St. Bernard Foundation. She is a development practitioner, agribusiness leader, and institutional builder with over three decades of experience in banking, entrepreneurship, agricultural transformation, and organizational leadership.
Throughout her career, she has championed sustainable development, inclusive economic growth, and community empowerment. Her experience spans financial services, private sector development, strategic leadership, governance, and capacity building, bringing a multidisciplinary perspective to the Foundation's long-term growth.
As Chairperson, she provides strategic leadership to the Board, guides institutional development, promotes partnerships, and champions the Foundation's vision of creating lasting opportunities for children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing, Non-Verbal, and Blind or Visually Impaired.
What She Brings to the Board
<ul>
<li>Strategic leadership and institutional development.</li>
<li>Governance and organizational stewardship.</li>
<li>Financial and business management expertise.</li>
<li>Agribusiness and sustainable development experience.</li>
<li>Partnership development and resource mobilisation.</li>
<li>Long-term vision and innovation.</li>
<li>Commitment to ethical leadership and public service.</li>
</ul>

Vice Chairperson

Dr. Bernard Yohana Kibesse

Dr. Bernard Yohana Kibesse is the High Commissioner of the United Republic of Tanzania to the Republic of Kenya, with concurrent accreditation to Eritrea, Seychelles, Somalia, and South Sudan. He also serves as Tanzania's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and UN-Habitat.

He holds a PhD in Economics from Claremont Graduate University, USA, and is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). With more than 32 years of experience in central banking and finance, Dr. Kibesse previously served as Deputy Governor of the Bank of Tanzania, where he oversaw financial stability, banking supervision, financial sector reforms, and national payment systems. He has also served on several national and regional boards and committees, contributing to financial governance and institutional development.

What He Brings to the Board:
• Strategic guidance.
• Public sector leadership.
• Policy and institutional experience.
• Governance oversight.
• Networks across government and development sectors.
• Commitment to education and inclusive development.

Board Treasurer

Glory Bernard

Glory Bernard is an accomplished banking professional with more than 15 years of experience in banking operations, financial management, treasury operations, operational risk management, regulatory compliance, and customer service. She currently serves as Customer Service Manager at United Bank for Africa (Tanzania) Ltd., where she oversees branch operations, financial controls, operational governance, and compliance with banking regulations.

Over the course of her career, Glory has held progressive leadership roles in the banking sector, including Acting Branch Manager, Cash Officer, Finance and Administration Manager, and Bank Officer. She has built extensive expertise in financial controls, liquidity management, budgeting, reconciliations, operational efficiency, and team leadership. She holds a Master of Science in Finance and Investment from Coventry University, United Kingdom, and is a Certified Professional Banker (CPB).

What She Brings to the Board:
• Financial stewardship.
• Budget oversight.
• Accountability and compliance.
• Risk awareness.
• Financial planning.
• Commitment to transparency.

Board Member

Hilda Lukas Kaniki

Hilda Lukas Kaniki is a distinguished Tanzanian education leader with over 15 years of experience in secondary and higher education. Since 2017, she has served as Headmistress of St. Christina Girls' Secondary School, where she champions academic excellence, gender equity, and youth empowerment.

She holds a Master of Arts in Higher Education and Student Affairs Administration from Beijing Normal University and a Bachelor of Science with Education from St. John's University of Tanzania. Her experience includes school governance, international academic collaboration, student affairs leadership, and mentoring young people.

What She Brings to the Board:
• Professional expertise.
• Community engagement.
• Strategic insight.
• Programme perspective.
• Collaborative leadership.
• Commitment to inclusion.

Board Member

Joseph Katallah

Joseph Katallah brings extensive international experience spanning agriculture, education, food systems, and international trade. Having lived, studied, and worked across Tanzania, Europe, and Canada, he offers a global perspective informed by practical experience throughout the agricultural value chain — from field production to consumer markets.

He is multilingual, speaking Swahili, English, Russian, Romanian, and French, enabling him to engage across diverse cultural and professional settings. His background in agriculture, teaching, food systems, and international trade regulations provides valuable expertise that strengthens the Foundation's commitment to knowledge sharing, partnerships, and institutional development.

What He Brings to the Board:
• International perspective and cross-cultural experience.
• Expertise in agriculture and food systems.
• Teaching and capacity-building experience.
• Knowledge of international standards and trade systems.
• Strategic thinking and lifelong learning.
• Multilingual communication and global networks.

Executive Director