Uniting Distant Stars

Equipping youth with the knowledge and skills to realize their potential and become positive change makers

Uniting Distant Stars™, Inc. links future leaders and global innovators to educational resources and vocational training to influence positive changes in the world. Uniting Distant Stars is currently an all-volunteer organization with teams in the U.S. and Liberia.

We equip youth with the knowledge and skills to realize their potential and become positive change makers. We promote creative and innovative thinking to inspire our youth to reach for the stars. Through these efforts, more doors for future employment and entrepreneurship will open for Liberia’s young men and women.

Uniting Distant Stars™, Inc. is co-founded by Kelvin Fomba (Liberian) and Heather Cannon (U.S. Citizen). Since 2011, we have developed our shared vision to raise the aspirations of Liberian youth and guide them towards success. We provide scholarships, school supplies, after school study classes through our learning center, youth exchanges via Google Hangout, and vocational training to youth in Liberia.

Read Our Latest Blog Posts

UDS Held Their 6th Graduation Ceremony on 11/4/23

After delays from Liberia’s election, we decided to hold the commencement ceremony of our sixth cohort on Saturday, November 4, 2023. First, Thank student Pearl Clarke for decorating our center for the graduation. Over the past year, we faced many challenges...

Uniting Distant Stars Update 11/1/2023 – Recap of two Virtual Events and much more.

Heather Cannon, Uniting Distant Stars Co-Founder & Executive Director, gives an update about virtual events in the October and November giving season. 00.22 Facebook Birthday Reminder. 01:39 Please Subscribe to our YouTube channel 02:24 Recap of UDS Youth...

10/28/23 Virtual Tea Time Replay

We held our fifth Virtual Tea Time and enjoyed a wonderful conversation with two guests in Minnesota, twelve academic students, and one staff in Liberia. Our Virtual Tea Time allows people who cannot travel to and from Liberia to learn from each other and have...

Star Reflection – Remember 2022 When UDS Academy When Quizzing Contest & First Virtual Tea Time

On July 2, 2022, UDS Academy won the cup during the Better Youth Liberia in Collaboration with Teen Girls Liberia quizzing competition in the 2021/22 Jr. High Division. Learn more. In July 2022, UDS hosted its first Virtual Tea Time, where guests met and chatted with...

Register For The Next Virtual Tea Time – October 28

Would you like to meet with one of our students or instructor? Our next Virtual Team Time is October 28, from 10 AM to 11 AM CST. This event will be worth every minute because you can talk with our youth and instructors and ask them questions. We do a roundtable...

UDS Youth Entrepreneurship Workshop With We Sparkle

On Thursday, October 12, we partnered with We Sparkle Founder Michelle Tran Maryns and (Im)possible Cosmos Founder/Flight Director Nyemadi Dunbar for the UDS Youth Entrepreneurship Workshop. This event was our official reboot of virtual youth exchanges. Our last one...

Star Reflection – Remember 2022 When Kelvin Was Honored and Sourey Shared His Testimonial

In March 2022, long-time supporter Branko Tambah nominated Kelvin Fomba for the International Every Girl Wins “Male Civility” award. Kelvin is presented with the award during a virtual program. Learn more. One of our 2020 Electrician Graduates, Sourey Prosper Kamara...

UDS Creates Pathway For Young Women Like Janet Johnson to Learn a Non-Traditional Trade

Meet Janet Johnson, who enrolled as a cosmetology and electrician student. On September 29, she learned how to climb a pole for electrical work. First, let's pause and reflect on how our students seek diverse skills like cosmetology and electrician. Janet, is one of...

Star Reflection – Remember 2022 When We Built a Water Well and UDS Featured in LiberiaInfo

Let's walk down the 2022 memory lane during October. When the water main goes out, UDS installs a well to ensure water is accessible for our students and staff. Learn more. In January, LiberiaInfo Published a Feature Story of Uniting Distant Stars. The author, Martina...

Thank you, Sundance Family Foundation, for a $1,000 Grant!

Wow! Today, when I went to get UDS mail, I found a letter and check for a $1,000 grant from the Sundance Family Foundation. The grant was recommended by foundation board member Rob Scarlett and approved by the entire board.  This grant was a...