About Wan Fambul Foundation
Wan Fambul Foundation is a dedicated non-profit organization focused on empowering families in Sierra Leone. Our mission is to provide essential services such as education, healthcare, nutrition, and safe shelter for children. We believe in the power of family and strive to help children remain with their families as they grow, learn, and thrive with dignity and hope. Through community engagement and support, we aim to foster a brighter future for the next generation.In 2013, Founders Melissa and Jeremy Spillman adopted three brothers, Nathan, Edwin and Bennett, from Sierra Leone, West Africa. They were introduced to the country and the boys by a non-profit, The Raining Season, which operated an orphan care center in the heart of Freetown, the country's capital city.
Since 2013, the Spillman family has supported various birth family members in a variety of ways, and in 2023 Wan Fambul became a 501c-3 organization recognized by the US government and the Sierra Leone government as a legal non-profit foundation.
For more information on tax documents, financial reports and more, please email wanfambulinfo@gmail.com. Our desire is to have complete transparency and clear communication regarding our finances and leadership.
Our Team
Princess Cole
Director, Sierra Leone
Patrick Cole
Education Specialist
Mohamed BAIO
Community Support/Outreach
ADA MARAH
Community Support/Outreach
On the US side, Founder Melissa Spillman guides Wan Fambul's initiatives and projects, but in Sierra Leone, we are blessed to have many people who help us impact the community, save lives, and give people hope.
Our Sierra Leonean director is Princess Cole, a woman who has shared a special relationship with Founder Melissa since 2013 when they met at a Freetown hotel. Over the years, Princess has shown her ability to overcome her own history of abuse and adversity. Her unique experience has given her a heart of compassion and kindness. She is the hands and feet of our supporters here in the US, and we are grateful for her constant desire to positively impact her local community and the people around her.
Princess's husband Patrick leads our education efforts. In addition to advising students of all ages, Patrick is our liaison to each school and ensures fees are paid on time and students are attending. Especially concerning our university students, Patrick is a true leader to our young adults who are learning how to navigate independence and life outside of the orphanage.
Mohamed and Ada dedicate their time to people in the community who request help or require physical assistance with financial support. They serve the Wan Fambul organization in various capacities by helping to purchase needed items for families, locating safe shelter, accompanying children to receive medical treatment, and in many other ways.