Bernie Dench is married and has three grown up children, and four grandchildren. Bernie has worked for the Railways for the last 42 years, culminating in a position with The Watercress Line as a Track Engineer. 

In 2002, Bernie visited Mikindani with his son Tim Dench (Founder of EdUKaid) to see first-hand what needed to be done to help the children in the village to attend school. Upon their return, Bernie was asked to assist Tim’s friends and family in setting up EdUKaid to help the children of Mtwara in 2003. Bernie was a Trustee from 2003 until 2020.