Georges Budagu Makoko

Georges is the founder of Ladder to the Moon Network. He was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo and moved to Rwanda in 1994, due to political unrest in his country. He graduated from National University of Rwanda with a degree in Business Administration and moved to the United States in 2002, where he sought and received asylum. He is the author of Ladder to the Moon: Journey from the Congo to America, a book about his life.

Georges worked at Avesta Housing as Senior Property Manager for 15 years, and in 2012 was awarded Site Manager of the Year, a joint award from the United States Department of Agriculture Rural Housing Service and Maine Rural Development.

He serves as a motivational speaker and professional interpreter, and speaks more than six languages, including English, French, Swahili, Kinyarwanda, Kirundi, Lingala, and Kinyamulenge. He strongly believes in advocating for peace, reconciliation, and justice for all. For several years, he also worked in mental health group settings at Good Will Industries of Northern New England.