Faith
AFR is rooted in Christian faith and the conviction that God has called His people to care for vulnerable families with consistency, humility, and hope.
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About Africa Family Rescue
Restoring dignity through family, faith, and local partnership.
AFR began with a personal encounter and grew into a long-term ministry serving families in Uganda through sponsorship, shelter, health, business support, and church partnership.
Our Story
A response to real families and real need.
Africa Family Rescue began after Ben and Melody Pahlow met a Rwandan refugee in 2002 and were moved by his story of survival, faith, and need. The earliest work centered on connecting sponsors with family photos and biographies so support could be personal, prayerful, and relational.
Today AFR serves families in Uganda through a three-year sponsorship model focused on health, shelter, nutrition, education, micro-business development, and community support. The current work is centered in Mukono, Mityana, Mpigi, and Wakiso.
Core Values
The convictions shaping the work.
Family
The work is built around real family relationships, connecting sponsors with widows, children, and households through prayer, updates, visits, and long-term support.
Dignity
Support is designed to restore confidence and belonging, helping families move from survival toward ownership, stability, and visible dignity.
Sustainability
The three-year program emphasizes skills, business support, housing, health, and community connection so families can move toward self-sufficiency.
Local Partnership
AFR works through Ugandan staff, pastors, caseworkers, nurses, and local leaders who understand the families and communities they serve.
Practical Care
The ministry provides concrete help such as safe homes, food, medical support, water systems, business gifts, livestock, and family visits.
How AFR Is Organized
A stateside nonprofit working through local Ugandan leadership.
This structure can become more specific as AFR confirms public-facing board members, staff names, titles, and reporting details.
U.S. Nonprofit Leadership
Africa Family Rescue operates as a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit, stewarding donor relationships, communications, financial support, and stateside administration.
Ben and Melody Pahlow
Ben and Melody help lead the mission, cast vision, build donor relationships, coordinate trips, and keep the work centered on family transformation.
Ugandan Staff and Local Leaders
AFR works with full-time Ugandan staff, nurses, pastors, caseworkers, and community leaders who identify needs and walk closely with families.
Church and Community Network
Local churches, savings groups, business training, and community partnerships create a support system around families during and after sponsorship.
Leadership Structure
A relational leadership chain for a family-centered mission.
This visual structure introduces the founders, board members, stateside staff, volunteers, and partners who help carry AFR's work forward.
Executive
Ben Pahlow
Co-Founder / Chief Executive Officer
United States
Ben Pahlow, a graduate of Northern Illinois University with a bachelor’s degree in Business Management and Entrepreneurship, co-founded Africa Family Rescue out of a deep commitment to follow God’s leading and serve vulnerable families with compassion, integrity, and practical love. For more than 25 years, he has quietly helped build a ministry focused not only on meeting immediate needs, but also on creating lasting transformation through Christ-centered family restoration. His steady leadership, perseverance, business experience, and heart for the people of Uganda have helped shape Africa Family Rescue into a ministry that restores hope one family at a time.
Executive
Melody Pahlow
Co-Founder / Chief Operating Officer
United States
Melody Pahlow is the co-founder of Africa Family Rescue, where she has devoted the past 25 years to walking alongside vulnerable families in Uganda through holistic, Christ-centered care. What began as a simple "yes" to God's call has become a lifelong mission of restoring dignity, strengthening widows and orphans, and helping people move from survival to self-sufficiency. Through every hardship and every miracle, her passion has remained the same: to share the love of Christ by serving one person, one family, and one community at a time.
5 people
Board of Directors
Oversight, accountability, counsel, and long-term organizational health.
Team
Alan Mackenzie
Treasurer of the Board
United States
Alan is a software architect originally from South Africa. He brings a cross‑cultural perspective and a deep commitment to help those who have lost hope. He offers guidance with technology integration, and contributes a practical, solutions‑driven voice to Africa Family Rescue’s mission. Guided by a passion for empowerment and sustainable development, he supports AFR in helping families build stable, hopeful futures.
Team
Carol Martin
Strategic Growth Specialist
United States
Carol is proud to be part of the African Family Rescue Board of Directors and feels blessed in her calling to help reach more widows in Uganda, providing them with sponsorship and opportunities to start businesses, become self sufficient, and build a better future for themselves and their families while sharing the love of Christ. She has a husband of 20+ years and 3 loving children that make her proud every day.
Team
Chris Schonoff
Secretary of the Board
United States
Chris has served on the board for 8+ years and brings extensive leadership and professional experience to the role. He works as a healthcare and public-sector sales executive and serves as a local church elder, men’s group leader, young-adult volunteer, and mentor to young professionals. He has been married for 31 years and has three adult children. The Secretary of the Board maintains accurate records of board meetings, decisions, policies, and official documents, prepares meeting minutes, supports board communications, and ensures all required records are properly organized and accessible.
Team
Christopher Torres
Marketing Specialist
United States
Chris is a New Jersey native that loves to travel and experience different cultures and economies. 6 years of active duty in the United States Air Force as a Data Analyst and years in the marketing industry have prepared him to work tirelessly towards God's calling on his life by helping others through branding, PR and field work. Chris has been working with Africa Family Rescue for 9+ years and has a wife of 5+ years.
Team
Pete Arnold
Chairman of the Board
United States
Pete and his family were introduced to AFR two years ago by close friends who were in Uganda on a mission trip. Their hearts immediately knew that God was calling them to help the widows and orphans AFR served. Pete joined the board last year and currently serves as Chairman. The Chairman of the Board provides leadership and direction to the board while ensuring meetings are organized, productive, and focused on the organization’s mission. This role also serves as a primary representative of the board and promotes effective governance, accountability, and collaboration.
6 people
Staff / Volunteers
Stateside staff and volunteers who support operations, communication, donor care, and ministry follow-through.
Team
Abby Loftis
Administrator
United States
Abby is devoted wife and dog mom of a Belgian Malinois. It's her goal to show the love of Christ through her affectionate personality. After meeting the Pahlow's and getting the chance to join them on the ground in Africa, Abby finally understand what God was calling her to be; a shepherd to the widows and orphans.
Team
Andrea Braswell
Lead Administrator
United States
Andrea's ability to fundraise, lead others, handle stress during high-intensity situations and organize is unparalleled. Her skillset matches her character and integrity, making her the perfect person to be side by side with Co-founder Melody within Africa Family Rescue.
Team
Linda Tighe
Administrator
United States
Linda and her husband of 37 years, Art, have been happily supporting AFR for the past 11 years. Linda and Art have always had a heart for helping widows and orphans. Despite already having 5 biological children of their own, they also adopted 3 children from an orphanage in Haiti in 2013. When the last of these 8 children left for college in 2024, Linda was feeling a little lost, with extra time on her hands. The Lord opened the door for her to help AFR with administrative tasks, and she has been happily sending emails ever since. All donors should expect to receive emails from Linda often, as she sends out the pictures from Uganda, confirming that the donors’ gifts have been received and used as intended.
Team
Lori Vicsek
Medical Director
United States
Lori is deeply devoted to Africa Family Rescue and to helping families in Uganda. She believes God has called her to serve wherever He leads, and she has followed that calling with compassion, humility, and steadfast faith. Through her medical training and skills, she has brought comfort, healing, and hope to those in need, trusting God to provide for the work He has placed on her heart.
Field
Nate Pahlow
Software Engineer
United States
Nate built and maintains AFR’s web platform, including donations, stories, leadership profiles, media uploads, analytics, and secure admin workflows. He also spent several years serving in Africa firsthand. Married for 10 years to an amazing wife and blessed with two children, Nate is currently serving in active duty Air Force for the past 15 years.
Team
William "Coach" & Andrea Braswell
Volunteer Co-Leaders
United States
Coach and Andrea Braswell are the co-leaders of Africa Family Rescue. Their 9+ years of service toward widows and orphans has proven their loyalty to God's calling on their lives. Coach, now a proudly retired educator and well, coach, provides spiritual and emotional stamina to the U.S. and Ugandan team. With 20+ years working at a law firm, Andrea utilizes her skills as a master of organization and preparation when boots are on the ground.
Join the Work
Help a family move toward lasting stability.
Learn how sponsorship works, or begin supporting a family through AFR's giving platform.