Maria Schiffer is a German-American storyteller, former photographer, author, certified holistic nutritionist and the B&S program lead. Her journey began with a career in high-end editorials and corporate photography, but everything changed when she wrote Eating with Africa, an award-winning cookbook that took her across 10 African countries, exploring food and culture through personal stories.

These experiences inspired the idea of BODY&SOIL—a vision dedicated to empowering through grassroots approach, and creating a cycle of holistic health. She brings creativity, storytelling, nutrition expertise, and innovative ideas to the table, focusing on connecting solutions from soil to plate. Maria sees every challenge is an opportunity, and she keeps on moving and learning.

Links:

Maria Schiffer

LinkedIn

Eating with Africa

Stuart Nyanzi is not only the College Manager at RUCID Organic Agriculture College, but also an essential part of the BODY&SOIL team. Known for his endless energy and "figure-out-ability," Stuart brings a rare combination of technical expertise and hands-on problem-solving to every challenge. Whether it's finding a missing pipe, improvising a solution in the field, or getting a plan moving, Stuart gets things done.

His passion lies in developing organic fertilizers and natural pest control solutions—critical tools for regenerative farming. He trains students in these methods both at the college and in our partner schools, helping shape a new generation of farmers grounded in practical, sustainable knowledge. His drive, resourcefulness, and deep commitment make him a true backbone of our work.

Samuel Nyanzi is an agronomist, innovator, and the founder of RUCID (Rural Community in Development), where he has dedicated over 30 years to advancing organic agriculture and community empowerment in Uganda. As Director of RUCID and Chairman of NOGAMU (National Organic Agricultural Movement of Uganda), Samuel is a pillar in the country’s organic movement.

But titles only tell part of the story. Samuel is endlessly curious and never really takes a day off—he’s always working on a new idea, tool, or approach to make farming more regenerative and accessible. One of he’s passions is food processing, which he teaches to our school clubs in a fun, hands-on way that students love. With his deep well of experience and boundless energy, Samuel is not only building systems but also inspiring the next generation to do the same.

Links:

RUCID

NOGAMU

Elisha Ssebadduka is the Principal of RUCID Organic Agricultural College. As an expert in community development, agroecology, and indigenous foods, Elisha brings decades of experience and deep-rooted passion to our work. He also teaches students at the community schools we work everything he knows in regenerative agriculture.

Elisha is a warm, patient educator and a true fountain of knowledge — yet always open to learning and exchanging new ideas. His commitment to regenerative living doesn’t stop at work: in his free time, he lovingly tends to his own thriving garden paradise, which he envisions as his source of income during retirement. His presence inspires not only everyone at the college but also the next generation of growers, teachers, and changemakers.

Bonny is a natural talent in cooking and teaching. As the lead chef of the kids’ cooking club, he brings a real gift for detail and a special personal touch. He’s passionate about baking and experimenting with local flours, but he’s always ready to try something new. In his free time, he visits surrounding communities to train women on how to bake using local stoves and flours. We couldn’t be luckier to have him with us.

Francis is a trained biologist with a degree in Fisheries and Aquatic Biology from Makerere University. Born and raised in Kampala, he brings a unique mix of scientific knowledge, digital skills, and creativity to BODY&SOIL.

He’s in charge of growing and managing our local seed bank and shares our work on TikTok, helping us reach and inspire a wider audience. With a strong background in research and ICT, Francis is both inquisitive and reliable—a natural fit for our growing team. On a personal note, he loves music, and when he’s not working or researching, you’ll often find him singing.