Youth Development

Tolulope Makinde is a career development expert and an experienced project manager passionate about entrepreneurship, education and youth development with over a decade of experience in planning, activity design, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and supervising projects and programs that focus on improving the quality of life of vulnerable children and adults and helping organizations reduce costs and maximize results, including providing technical leadership, developing reports, prioritize, advocate and network with individuals and partner stakeholders. As a Project Officer for Youth Development at SOS Children’s Villages, Nigeria, he has led efforts to address the pressing issue of youth unemployment by coordinating career awareness and vocational guidance programs. His work involves establishing and maintaining effective relationships with various agencies, employees, and young people. He also plays a pivotal role in identifying the needs of young people in remote communities and developing strategies to address their social and emotional needs. He is the founder of Motivated Mankind, a network of entrepreneurs and volunteers who have a passion for impacting their society with their skills, knowledge, and innovation, and an initiative for youth development, education, and entrepreneurship. While working as the Programme Coordinator of the Motivated Mankind Initiative, he has helped thousands of youths to access relevant information for capacity building, career development, and professional development. His career goal is to utilize his skills and expertise in an organization to exceed projected revenue growth, build relationships with new people, influence people, and make a global impact.

Bupe Mulenga Kabamba holds a Master of Public Health degree from the University of Lusaka, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in demography with economics from the University of Zambia. She has ten years of experience in research and evaluation. She currently works as Research and Learning specialist on a malaria project helping to generate data for decision making to end malaria. Previously, while working as a Research Associate at the American Institutes for Research she contributed to understanding how making data easier for communities to understand can empower them to participate in decision making. Before this she had worked in the agriculture sector contributing to research aimed at improving post-harvest practices among small scale farmers and getting them the right seed varieties for food security. Her career started out at the Zambian chapter of a global standard called the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative advocating for disclosure of remittances of mining companies to the government and receipts of the government from mining companies. Given her experience in diverse sectors Bupe believes in and is passionate about the application of data-driven and evidence based, sector wide approaches in any intervention as a holistic remedy if people’s lives are to be improved. A feminist, she believes in including women’s and local voices and lived experiences in every space and at all levels.

Marta Skierkowska is a psychologist and a dedicated manager committed to developing outreach programs. With over 15 years of involvement in aiding children who have suffered from violence or sexual abuse, she co-manages one of Poland’s largest NGOs, the Empowering Children Foundation, affiliated with ECPAT International in the country. Since 2022, Marta has extended her efforts to humanitarian work, supporting the Ukrainian community seeking refuge in Poland, collaborating with organizations such as UNICEF and UNHCR. Having ascended through the ranks of the organization from assistant to board member, Marta is the architect of numerous child abuse prevention programs. Collaborating with her teams, she focuses on scaling these solutions and integrating them into Poland’s systemic activities, encompassing direct interventions, research, education, and advocacy. Marta recognizes the importance of addressing both child abuse and the well-being of staff who confront child trauma daily. She fosters personal development among her team members, ensuring they find roles that resonate with them, and cultivates a supportive environment that mitigates professional burnout. For Marta, combating child abuse is a calling—an honor she pursues with unwavering dedication, believing that well-executed actions can save countless children’s lives. It is this commitment that drives her to refine and standardize her management practices, drawing inspiration from others and striving for continuous improvement in her service to the cause.

Jasmine Rogers is an experienced member of CAMFED International’s Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Team. Based in Cambridge, UK, Jasmine joined CAMFED in 2018. In her role as MEL manager, Jasmine works to evaluate the impact of the organisation’s programmes, translating data and insights into valuable learning and providing technical and coordination support to CAMFED’s MEL teams in Ghana, Malawi, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Jasmine holds an MA in Environment, Development and Policy from the University of Sussex, where she explored gendered socio-political relationships between environmental and developmental challenges in low-income countries and a BA in Geography from Durham University. With seven years of experience in the nonprofit sector, Jasmine is committed to the promotion of community-based grassroots social change concerning gender equality, agriculture and climate change, and the transformative power of inclusive education.

Renée Roodhuizen is firmly convinced that the implementation and safeguarding of the Convention on the Rights of the Child can make the world a better place. As such, she informs and persuades politicians on various topics, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing children’s interests in the drafting of legislation and regulations. Renée has extensive expertise in children’s rights, with a special focus on sexual exploitation and issues related to asylum and migration, both nationally and internationally. Her profound knowledge was developed during her time as a policy advisor for a Member of Parliament in the Justice and Safety Department and as a Public Affairs Advisor at Defence for Children – ECPAT, a leading international organization dedicated to protecting children’s rights for over 40 years. A diligent team player, Renée excels at bringing together diverse groups of people. She studied political science at Leiden University and hails from a small village in the Dutch countryside. Renée is passionately committed to advocating for and safeguarding the rights and well-being of children worldwide.

Mónica Llaguno, an accomplished program evaluation and research practitioner from Ecuador, brings over eight years of experience in international children and youth-focused programming. Serving as the Associate Vice-President of Research, Evaluation, and Learning at Covenant House International (Casa Alianza) she has spearheaded the development of a regional monitoring and evaluation framework in Latin America, impacting over 7,000 children annually. Mónica oversees the outcomes of programs addressing diverse socioeconomic issues, including homelessness, food insecurity, human trafficking, and gender-based violence. Fluent in Spanish, she has played a pivotal role in facilitating efficient communication strategies and knowledge management efforts, fostering a shared understanding of effective program models. Beyond Covenant House (Casa Alianza), Mónica has contributed to global initiatives at the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA), influenced legislation as a Public Policy Consultant for a former New York City Council, and secured funding to expand a school feeding program in Ethiopia. Mónica holds a Master’s Degree in International Affairs from The New School and a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Augustana University, both with notable scholarships.

Timsur Christopher Iliya is a seasoned social worker and conflict management specialist with over a decade of dedicated service in championing the welfare and empowerment of vulnerable populations, particularly orphans and children facing crises. With extensive experience in process and program development, child protection, and transformative peacebuilding, he serves as the Case Management Officer at SOS Children’s Village Programme Ogun, where he plays a pivotal role in implementing gate-keeping procedures, ensuring the fulfillment of basic needs, and providing comprehensive support to caregivers. His leadership and management skills have proven instrumental in optimizing resources and achieving organizational objectives effectively. His commitment to social justice is evident in his prior role as a Class Teacher, where he fostered a conducive learning environment while actively combating child abuse and exploitation. Passionate about child protection, case management, psychosocial support, and community development, Timsur actively engages in initiatives promoting family strengthening, holistic development, and gender equality. Grounded in academic excellence, he holds a Bachelor’s Degree in History and International Studies from the esteemed University of Jos, Nigeria, complemented by a Master’s Degree in Conflict Management and Peace Studies, enhancing his expertise in fostering positive change and spearheading sustainable peacebuilding endeavors within communities. Timsur’s unwavering commitment to uplifting the marginalized through strategic interventions and tireless advocacy for social change reflects his vision of building resilient and inclusive societies, where every individual can thrive and flourish.

Ange Ishimwe Benimana is a talented accountant known for her exceptional ability to manage numbers and navigate financial complexities. She is deeply committed to empowering women and dedicates her time to mentorship, advocacy, and actively participating in initiatives that support women’s advancement. Outside of work, she enjoys workouts, movies, music, traveling, and dining out with loved ones.

Belinda Oluoch is a supply chain professional with nine years of professional experience in the industry. She is currently heading the Inventory department at SHOFCO, a grassroot movement across Kenya slums providing services, community advocacy platforms, education and leadership development for women and girls. A proud graduate of Maseno University with a Bachelor’s degree. She was inspired to pursue a career in Business Administration with IT, Supply Chain Management Option, since it offers a wide variety of opportunities for career advancement and also had a chance to create positive impact indirectly, in the urban slums of Kenya through SHOFCO. Her responsibilities in her current role include overseeing a team of inventory staff, managing an inventory tracking system, evaluating deliveries and stock levels, analyzing daily stock and supply, managing assets and ensuring the programs team members get their resources in a timely manner to support their daily activities. Her professional abilities also lie in Procurement and Logistics management. Besides her professional career, her passion is to fight stigma and discrimination against mental illnesses and people living with mental health conditions. She is also passionate about diversity, equity and inclusion. She is currently supporting SHOFCO in Mental Health awareness creation through trainings as a TOT and mentor under the Youth Voice Project, across the country. Her dream is to have a world free from mental illnesses, especially among the youth.

Onyekachi Ayevbuomwan is an Agricultural Economist with over ten years experience as a development expert, trainer, and lecturer. Onyekachi joined Heifer Nigeria in November 2022 as a Program Coordinator with skills such as employment creation, project management, stakeholder management, and capacity building working directly with young, vulnerable, and excluded groups including farmers. Onyekachi is skilled in using the M4P approach to deliver systemic, sustainable, climate smart and environmentally friendly interventions. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State in Agricultural Economics & Extension graduating with First Class (Honors) and emerged as the best graduating female in the faculty. She began her career as a graduate assistant in the Department of Agricultural Economics & Extension, was secretary to the Department’s Graduate Program and Editor of the Maiden edition of the faculty Magazine. She served as Course advisor for entry level undergraduates and supported in lecturing (microeconomics & rural sociology) and has a Master’s degree in Agricultural Economics (2015) from the University of Ibadan, Ibadan. Onyekachi began active work in the development sector in 2017 as an Intervention officer and was promoted in 2018 to an Intervention Manager in the Market Development in the Niger Delta (MADE) FCDO funded program. Onyekachi has experience as an entrepreneur and employer of labor managing an MSME for over two years between 2020 to 2022. Onyekachi is passionate about women’s economic empowerment and believes strongly that women in leadership positions will lead to economic growth. She enjoys singing, reading, photography and public speaking.

Jean de Dieu Izabayo Sekabanza has a keen interest in economic sciences and pursued his studies at the University of Goma, graduating from the Faculty of Economic Sciences and Management with a focus on Financial Management. Having a passion for ensuring financial integrity and risk management, he embarked on a career path that led him to the non-governmental sector. For approximately four years, he served first as the Risk and Compliance Coordinator and now as Risk and Compliance Manager at the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC). In this role, he demonstrated exceptional leadership and strategic acumen in overseeing the organization’s risk management framework, ensuring adherence to regulatory policies, supporting coordination of external audit, and conducting internal controls to mitigate potential risks effectively. Prior to his tenure at NRC, He gained valuable experience in the field of finance while working with Mercy Corps DRC. This experience provided him with a solid foundation in financial analysis, budget management, and in internal control, further enhancing his expertise in the field of financial management. Beyond his professional endeavors, he is deeply passionate about youth empowering. Recognizing the transformative potential of empowering youth through leadership, skill development, and civic engagement, he actively engages in initiatives aimed at promoting youth empowerment with his community and beyond. Through his diverse experiences and unwavering commitment to excellence, Jean de Dieu continues to make meaningful contributions to his professional field and society at large.

Malumbo Mkandawire has four years of experience in the non-profit sector and obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Agricultural Sciences from EARTH University in Costa Rica. Currently, she is working with CAMFED Malawi as the District Operations Officer, where her main role is to support the delivery of educational opportunities for girls and vulnerable children through the implementation of bursaries, Safety Net Funds, economic empowerment for young women, and other programs at the district level. Among her various responsibilities, Malumbo ensures the implementation and adherence to child safeguarding in line with CAMFED’s Child Protection Policy. She administers outlined support to targeted recipients such as clients, alumnae members, schools, and communities in line with CAMFED Procurement and stock management policies. She coordinates various projects while maintaining records for CAMFED operations in the district and supervises the CAMFED Association to transform their lives and become leaders of change. Before joining CAMFED Malawi, she was a fellow under the Ohio Fellowship one year program, where she was based at Meadow Creek Dairy Farm in Virginia, USA. She gained experience in dairy farm management, developed recommendations for a balanced diet feed for the cows to reduce milk fever and increase milk production, implemented new dry cow monitoring methods to optimize labor time and maintain strong, healthy calves, and directed soil sampling analysis, recommending soil nutrient quantities that produced good pasture quality and increased palatability of the same. Malumbo is passionate about climate-smart agriculture, the environment, rural girls’ education, and young women’s economic empowerment.