Our Team
- Renaldah Mboje - Program Manager
Different seasons, different hats! Renaldah Mboje, since 2018 has been wearing the hat of an unpaid Family and Community Caregiver (UFCCG) among other things. Renaldah is the primary caregiver of a relative who is ailing from a non-communicable-disease (NCD) which since 2022, rendered her disabled among other challenges. In addition to supporting the relative, she also supports other people who like her, are family and community caregivers. Renaldah is currently involved in the Care Innovations project of the University of Nairobi through the ARUA Project – https://uonresearch.uonbi.ac.ke/news/arua-center-excellence-non-communicable-diseases-cluster-research-excellence-core-ncds working on developing a Policy for Caregivers of NCDs in Kenya.
Renaldah has over 20 years working experience and expertise in international development through both international and local Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), high level interactions with governments, the United Nations as well as the private sector. Her expertise revolves around Advocacy, Gender, Youth, Education, Governance, Disability, Inclusion and Safe guarding Programming. Some of the highlights of her work include serving as the Pan African Coordinator for the International Movement of Catholic Students – IMCS Pax Romana AFrica ; Advocacy Officer for Ghana Federation of Disability Organizations – https://gfd.org.gh/Regional; East Africa Regional Manager for Leonard Cheshire Disability – https://www.leonardcheshire.org/; Eastern and Southern Africa HIV and AIDS Policy and Advocacy Advisor for Voluntary Services Overseas; https://www.vsointernational.org/ and the National Manager for the Whole Youth Programme of Zizi Africa Foundation – https://ziziafrique.org/ . Renaldah has served in several policy-making boards and committees including as a member of the Gender and Technical Committee (2010 – 2012) of the then National AIDS Control Council/National Syndemic Disease Control Council – https://nsdcc.go.ke/ ; a member of the Kenya Ministry of Education National Technical Committee for Policy on Learners and Trainees with Disability (2016-2018) – https://www.education.go.ke/ and a member of the Kenya National Committee for development of the National Integrated TVET Communication and Advocacy Strategy (NITCAS) in 2021 – 2023 – https://ziziafrique.org/promoting-tvet-for-youth-employment-a-pathway-to-economic-empowerment/. Additionally, she has served in various boards including as the deputy Chair of the Board of Trustees of the International Movement of Catholic Students (IMCS-Pax Romana) since 2013; Chair of the Board of Management of Bura Girls High School – https://www.tatuweb.co.ke/buragirls/index.html (2017-2022) and since 2023 she is the Chair of the Board of Governance for Ofafa Vocational Training Centre – https://www.facebook.com/OfafaVTC. Renaldah is the Managing Director of the Silver Star Resources Africa, a social enterprise that among other things supports youth and small scale organic farmers to thrive.
Renaldah has an MA in Armed Conflict and Peace Studies; a Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism and Mass Communication and a Bachelor’s Degree in Education including several other professional certificates.
Advocating with and for unpaid Family and Community Caregivers is Renaldah’s current passion.
- Judy Chege Ndungu - Board Member
Judy Chege-Ndungu is a Counseling Psychologist, Trainer & Youth Workforce Development Specialist. She runs her private psychotherapy practice (Light A Candle Counseling Services) which she established in 2020 after 23 years in employment.
In addition to offering personal therapy, Judy runs two support groups. One is the Family Caregivers Support Group which launched in January 2022 and now has over 190 members. The other is a Grief Support group launched in February 2023.
Previously, Judy was a Senior Technical Advisor, Career Development Specialist at RTI International in the USAID funded Kenya Youth Employment & Skills Project. She also served as Head of Internships at Kenya Private Sector Alliance in the World Bank funded Kenya Youth Employment Project. Judy also worked as the Head of Counseling Department at Vision Institute of Professionals.
Judy’s areas of expertise include mental health as well as designing and implementing school-to-work transition programs. Judy is an author of a book ‘Lifted from the Pit of Brokenness and Despair’, a true story of how making wrong choices in life left her battling depression, attempted suicide and how she overcame it all. She has also co-authored a book ‘Youth Unemployment – a ticking time-bomb’.
Judy holds a MA in Counseling Psychology (USIU-A), BA Psychology (USIU-A), Higher Diploma in Human Resource Management (IHRM) and is a certified Career Development Specialist (NCDA).
- Dr Munyaradzi Saruchera - Board Member
Dr Munyaradzi Saruchera is the Director of the Africa Centre for Inclusive Health Management (formerly the Africa Centre for HIV/Aids Management) located in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences at Stellenbosch University in South Africa. He currently teaches the module on Ethics, Leadership and HIV/Aids Management at postgraduate diploma and master’ level, and supervises masters, doctoral students and postdoctoral research fellows.
Dr Saruchera is an Ashoka Fellow since 2009 and a Stellenbosch University Research & Innovation Strategic Excellence (SUNRISE) Fellow (a future professors programme at Stellenbosch University). He is qualified with an Honours degree in Political and Administrative Studies, a master’s degree in policy studies and a PhD in Sociology (Stellenbosch University). With more than 30 years of professional experience, Dr Saruchera has worked in the social change innovations, critical community development, community-based natural resource management, biodiversity conservation, health equity and management sectors across different regions of the African continent He has also founded and managed a development consultancy firm for 10 years, offering a range of research, monitoring and evaluation, development and management advisory and social process facilitation services.
Dr Saruchera has published various policy briefs, popular materials, scholarly articles and book chapters on a range of topics and edited the book “Securing land and resource rights in Africa: Pan-African perspectives” His research interests are the sociology of health with a focus on socio-ecological dynamics of health like climate vulnerability and health, African traditional health knowledge, corruption and health, community development and social change. Dr Saruchera is passionate about critical community development and social change, health and environmental ecologies, mentoring, men’s emotional literacy and inner personal development work. He serves on the No Name Initiative Governing Board, Collective Leadership Institute of South Africa Board, the Society for AIDS in Africa’s (SAA) ICASA International Steering Committee, and he is a member of the SAA ICASA Abstract Mentorship Programme Committee and the Society for AIDS in Africa Journal (JSAA) Committee and many social causes.
- Dr. Aliaa Ahmed Shanab - Board Member
Dr. Aliaa Ahmed Shanab is a public-health researcher and inclusive-development practitioner dedicated to improving outcomes for underserved communities through evidence-based program design, healthy-nutrition interventions, and disability-focused research.
Her work bridges rigorous research with systems thinking, helping organizations design programs that are both evidence-informed and context-responsive. Aliaa holds an International Master’s in Public Health from Tsinghua University (China) and an AIM Research Fellow in Global Health and Development and trained in social-impact evaluation with J-PAL and Harvard Medical School.
Previously, she led national resilience and evaluation programs as Senior Program Strategies Manager at the Egyptian Food Bank, collaborating with FAO, UNICEF, WHO, and UNDP to translate research into policy and field-ready tools. Her initiatives have focused on nutrition, maternal health, disability inclusion, and family caregiving systems, including developing the first Arabic-language nutrition platform for individuals with intellectual disabilities.
- Amb. Prof. Ruthie Rono - Board Member
Amb. Prof Ruthie Chepkoech Rono is currently a Professor of Psychology. She is the immediate former Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs and Professor of Psychology at the United States International University, Africa. She served as the Kenya High Commissioner to Zambia, Malawi and Permanent Representative to the Common Market to Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA). She also served as Kenya’s Ambassador Plenipotentiary and Extraordinary to The Kingdom of the Netherlands in The Hague with concurrent accreditation to The Czech Republic. She was also concurrently Kenya’s Permanent Representative to The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and Governor to the Common Fund for Commodities (CFC) based in the Netherlands.
Prof. Rono is an accomplished academician and diplomat who has a wealth of skills and experience as a diplomat, psychologist, educationist, researcher, author and administrator having previously served as an ambassador and high commissioner, Coordinator of Psychology Program, Associate Dean & Dean of the School of Arts & Sciences at the United States International University – Africa (USIU – A), Kenya.
Prof. Rono served also served as Assistant Lecturer, Lecturer and Senior Lecturer at Kenyatta University.
Prof. Rono has written and published widely for various audiences. She has authored and co-authored published books in various aspects of psychology and gender and contributed significantly in several published works, including contributions to renowned international journals such as Cross-Cultural Psychology, the World Psychiatry Journal and the Journal of Traumatology, editor and co-author of the African Textbook of Clinical Psychiatry and Mental Health, among others.
Prof. Rono is the recipient of “The Outstanding African Ambassador Award 2012” presented by the Voice Magazine, Netherlands 2012 Achiever’s Award. She is also the recipient of a Role Model Award from Kericho County, “The Certificate of Recognition as a Woman of Exemplary Achievement” given by the Kericho Family Support Network. Prof. Rono was recognized as one of the Outstanding Kenyans, and decorated by the Head of State, receiving the “The Head of State Commendation (HSC)” given by His Excellency President Mwai Kibaki.
Prof. Rono served as a member in the Dedan Kimathi University of Technology University Council. She served as a member of the Kenya Highlands University Seminary Taskforce.
Prof. Rono currently serves as a member of the Board of Trustees for Kenya Highlands University, a member of the Advisory Board of KHU Seminary as well as a Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of AENI.
Prof. Rono holds BA, MA & PhD in Educational Psychology.
- Mrs. Hannah Awadzi - Board Member
Mrs. Hannah Awadzi is a multiple award-winning journalist and communications professional dedicated to shifting mindsets, strengthening systems, and advancing inclusion for children with cerebral palsy and their families.
She currently serves as the Online Editor at the Ghana News Agency and is the Founder and Executive Director of Inclusive Family Alliance (formerly Special Mothers Project), a not-for-profit advocacy organisation championing inclusive policy processes particularly for families of children with cerebral palsy and other disabilities in Ghana.
Hannah’s work is deeply grounded in lived experience as a primary caregiver to her first daughter who lives with cerebral palsy. This personal journey drives her advocacy, shaped by empathy, resilience, and a strong commitment to social change.
She has made significant contributions to key national frameworks, including the Disability Act, the Early Childhood Care and Development Policy, and the Labour Act, and is actively involved in ongoing efforts to recognise, formalise, and develop policies around paid and unpaid care work.
In addition to her journalism and advocacy roles, Hannah is a Registered Psychologist Assistant with the Ghana Psychological Council. She is passionate about counselling and empowering families especially mothers raising children with cerebral palsy and other disabilities.
She is currently leading efforts to establish a formal national association of parents and caregivers of persons with disabilities in Ghana, further strengthening collective advocacy and representation.
Hannah’s work uniquely bridges journalism, advocacy, and community engagement to create visibility, shift public attitudes, and drive systemic change.
She is married with three children and is the author of two books: The Unexpected, which chronicles part of her journey raising a child with cerebral palsy, and Near Divorce, a compelling work on family life and relationships.
Hannah holds a Master’s degree in Contemporary English Studies from the University of Ghana, a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with Linguistics from the same institution, and a Diploma in Mass Communication from the Ghana Institute of Journalism.
- Dr. Ephraim Abel Kayem - Board Member
Dr. Ephraim Abel Kayembe is both an active Malawian politician and professional Policy Management and Governance Specialist who has worked with a number of organizations that includes Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Water for People, Concern Universal, and Ministry of Food Security, Irrigation and Water Development. He has implemented a number of programs and projects financed by the World Bank, African Development Bank, IFAD, European Union and Malawi Government.
Between 2009 and 2025, Dr. Ephraim Kayembe served the Government of Malawi as a Member of Parliament for Dowa west Constituency. He provided oversight on policy implementation, enactment of legislations and ratification of regional and international protocols on Health, HIV and AIDS Management. During his tenure of office as a legislator, Dr. Kayembe successfully collaborated with International NGOs that included VSO RHAISA, The Global Fund and UNAIDS on issues of developing regional policy framework on caregiving work, gender and elimination of gender based violence within the SADC region.
In 2012, Dr. Ephraim Kayembe was appointed by President Dr. Joyce Banda as a Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and his core mandate was focused on providing leadership on the development and implementation of new policy of economic diplomacy, establishing strategic partnerships with development partners and multilateral financial institutions. While executing this mandate, Dr. Kayembe effectively negotiated with donors to continue supporting the Malawi Government with development resources on the implementation of the national strategy on HIV and AIDS management. He also advocated for continued support towards The Global Fund.
Apart from working as a Politician, Dr. Ephraim Kayembe has also managed projects at community level bordering on Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights. He has collaborated with local NGOs implementing HIV and AIDS initiatives across the SADC region. At one point, his collaboration with VSO RHAISA culminated into the development of regional policy guidelines on management of HIV and AIDS in SADC prisons.
At Parliamentary level, Dr. Kayembe provided leadership to the parliamentary caucus on population management and sustainable development when the caucus was advocating for development of Population Management Policy. He participated in the development of a parliamentary motion on introduction of legal and safer abortion within our legal framework. Additionally, he has collaborated with a number of International NGOs and UN Agencies on the issues of SRHR, and these organizations included UNFPA, UN Women, UNDP, UNAIDS and Human Rights based Organizations to advance advocacy initiatives on review of policies and legislations to reflect the SRHRs needs of vulnerable people, especially adolescent girls and women.
Academically, Dr. Ephraim Kayembe is in possession of a PhD in International Relations and Political Diplomacy from Central China Normal University, Master’s of Science in Strategic Management (Merit) from The University of Derby of the United Kingdom and BSc in Statistical and Socio-Economic Demography, and Applied Mathematics from the University of Malawi.
At present, Dr. Ephraim Kayembe continues working as an adjunct Research Fellow and Lecturer for Malawi School of Government in the fields of Public Policy and Governance, Strategic Management and Research Management Studies. In 2021, Dr. Ephraim Kayembe was offered a post of Doctoral Student Supervisor for the DMI-Eugene University of Zambia where he has been mentoring Masters and PhD program students on how to carry out and produce quality research work and dissertations.
Ephraim has mastered the art of policy development and management of implementation processes in line with decentralized democratic practices, processes and culture, offering consultancies on strategy and policy development to a number of International Organizations. He has also provided consultancies on capacity building of institutions and carrying out monitoring and evaluation of the projects funded by International NGOs and the World Bank. He has lead a team of consultants on a number of projects focusing on effective implementation of development policies and programs.
Throughout Professional Career Development, Dr. Ephraim Kayembe has gained necessary professional work experience on matters of Good Governance, Policy and Strategy Development, International Relations and Political Economy thereby enhancing skills in providing technical and managerial oversight and leadership on policy and programs development, enactment of laws, development of strategic plans especially on socio-economic development, as well as in conducting effective policy dialogues with key stakeholders, drafting strategic policy papers and project proposals development.
The 20 years’ experience in policy development and implementation has taught Ephraim to adapt and respond to the collaborative approaches to policy and program development, sensitivity to cultural differences, and the ability to work in a wide variety of cultural contexts, experience of emergency and development work, and an understanding of relevant business, humanitarian and policy issues, good resource (people/finance/assets) management skills for specific projects/themes, good interpersonal, influencing and communication skills.
- Caroline Nyambura
A self-driven professional in Organizational Leadership; Governance and Management with over 20 years working experience in the design, development, delivery, implementation and coordination of training and capacity building programs within Eastern and Southern Africa region. As an agile strategic leader, she leverages people, processes and technology to improve the Organization’s sustainable growth and focus areas. Her outgoing demeanor, interpersonal skills and astute communication style enable her to create invaluable networks with various stakeholders. In addition to promoting a positive work ethic with her colleagues through collaboration, Carol is invaluable to any professional organization she works in as she has a plethora of talents, multifaceted experience and a strong work ethic and ability to work under pressure, and a commitment to uphold the highest professional standards. She is reputed for her stellar results in Organization Development, Gender Issues, implementing Learning Management Systems, Research Techniques, Data Collection and Analysis, Consultancies and working with diverse team members locally and internationally. She also serves in various Committees pro bono.