partners

The Hughes Foundation would not be what it is today without the strong commitment of our global partnerships.

Many people ask “Why India?” or “Why Namibia?” The reason is our immensely strongties to our partners in those countries created 10 years ago. During this time, Jerry was a volunteer director in Amsterdam who oversaw more than 800 volunteers. Two of them
he became very close to, John Kamati from Namibia and Swanand Bansod from India.

Because of these close relationships the Hughes Foundation has achieved amazing successes in both India and Namibia. These partnerships have grown into a worldwide movement. The growth
has been recognized by new countries inviting the Hughes
Foundation to bring the same positive impact to their people.

At the Hughes Foundation, we believe that HIV/AIDS will only be eliminated through partnerships – not one person, one tribe or one country, but rather people from all backgrounds coming together
to achieve a common goal and mission.

Learn more about our global partnerships:

India Partners: Swanand Bansod & Samir Shinde

Swanand (Sunny) and his wife Hazel are directors of their family organization, LEADS outreach, which is one of our partner organizations that was formed more than 35 years ago. They have served the needs of people in Nagpur and all of India. Swanand and
Hazel currently reside in Napgur, India. Sunny directs the annual youth camp that Hughes Foundation helps to sponsor impacting hundreds of youth.

Samir and his wife Cynthia are deeply rooted and committed in
serving those infected with HIV/AIDS specifically women and the
GLBT community in Nagpur, India. Samir directs the Hughes Foundation women’s groups, GLBT groups, and is one of the leaders for the upcoming Hughes Foundation 24/7 HIV/AIDS Drop-in Center.

Namibia Partners: John Kamati

In 2006, Jerry traveled to Namibia in partnership with John Kamati, which has led to four projects in Namibia. John is deeply committed
to serving people, particularly those affected by such devastation caused by HIV/AIDS in Namibia and all of Africa. John lives in Windhoek with his wife and four children.

Panama Partners: Shibu Appukuttan & Hassany Canto

Jerry Hughes met Shibu Appukuttan while on a Hughes Foundation project in India in 2004. Since this time, Shibu married Amarilys Vega (Lily) a Panamanian. In 2010, Jerry and Shibu’s paths crossed again and this time it was in Panama City. Shibu and Lily have spent much of their careers with OM India and OM Panama, a Christian organization serving the needs of people in India and Panama.
They also have started a church in Hyderabad, India and plan to return to India in the future. Currently, Shibu and Lily are serving
in Panama and they have a strong passion for people affected by HIV/AIDS. They want to turn this passion into growth for the
Hughes Foundation in India and Panama.

Jerry Hughes met Hassany Canto in 2010 while he was in Panama building new partnerships. Hassany is very committed to the well being of his native country of Panama and the people who live there with HIV/AIDS. Hassany’s life is largely devoted to music. He shares his gift of singing and playing the keyboard everyday. His talent in event production makes him a perfect leader for the Hughes Foundation in Panama.

Swanand & Hazel Bansod

Shinde Family