SMILE's founder, Silver Oonyu, is himself legally blind from Smallpox he contracted early in his life. Despite this challenge, Silver excelled in his university studies and was awarded a scholarship to pursue a Master’s degree in the United States. Silver earned his Master’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh, in 2012, and returned to Uganda to teach the blind, deaf, and orphaned children in his community. Today, Silver and his staff volunteer their time to serve as many children in their community as they can.