Team

My name is Rik Haanen, I am the director of Jacana foundation in Zambia and I am responsible for the day to day management. Before I traveled in 2006 to Africa, I owned a company and managed the team in the Netherlands. I have learned to listen to experts and know how to make plans, and I’ve got the flexibility required to execute them. I worked in several African development countries, Ghana, Tanzania, Kenya and Zambia on different projects. I am grateful for all the chances that’ve been given to me and all the inspiring people that I met. I enjoy the fact that people can grow above their own expectations when they are encouraged to follow their heart and experience the value of making mistakes and learning from them. 

My name is Bester Kusowa Sakala, I am an experienced professional with demonstrated history of working in the environmental services industry. Skilled in research, natural resources management, program and project management. I hold a Bachelor of Science in Agroforestry from the Copperbelt University. Previously I worked as Seed Analyst intern at Seed Control and Certification Institute (SCCI) and other institutions. I now work for Jacana Foundation as field officer in the water sector.

My Name is Douglas Mudenda, I am an experienced, goal oriented and industrious water and sanitation engineer with vast experience in water and sanitation technical works.
I am passionate about Simple Market Based and Repairable Technologies (SMART) which are aiming at providing solution for sustainable water supply in rural Zambia using local available materials.
In early 2017, I managed to make rope pumps using this manual. The pumps are currently serving people of Mutendere compound in Lusaka.
Before I joined Jacana Foundation, I worked with several institutions; both government and private. I was engaged with the ministry of local government, Nkeza foundation, Southen water and sanitation company, Southern Partners Organisation (SPO) and Chambeshi water supply and sanitation Company.
Presently, I am working for Jacana foundation as a manager of Jacana SMART Centre in Petauke.

My name is Stephen Lungu. I am married with four children. I am an agriculturalist by professional and I’m a highly motivated and hard working individual with strong commitment to work. I am fast learner, pro-active, self -motivated and versatile individual who aims at achieving high standard of work with minimal supervision and a very good team player.
I have been engaged in field works for some times now in Petauke and many other districts within Eastern province of Zambia. I worked at Conservation farming unity as a field officer for quiet some times in a Climate smart agriculture Zambia.
I was also engaged in technical training, monitoring and evaluation and private sector engagement.
Now I work at Jacana as a field officer.

My name is Moses E. Zimba. I am a water engineer by profession and currently (June 2019) studying project management. At Jacana foundation, I am an office assistant in the Lundazi branch. In most of my free time, I help my friends making their business plans. My passion is to make people think big and out site of the box.

Hello, I am Ivy Mwankotami, agriculturist by professional. I have 5 years of working experience in developmental projects under different NGOs in Zambia.  I am currently working as field officer for Jacana Foundation in Chipata. I like seeing people especially in rural areas change their livelihood through helping them realize their potential and also realize the importance of education especially for a girl child.

Patrick is a reliable person and an all-rounder. He was born and raised in Chipata.
Patrick is good in gardening and maintains the office garden very well.

I am Sarah Banda, I am a mother of a ten years old girl and a just born baby. I live in Chipata. I am happy to work for Jacana, so that I can take care of my children and send them to school.

My name is Felix Chingangu Chombo.
I am not yet married. I study accounts. I love gardening, art design and listening to music.
Previously I worked in an agro company, the catholic diocese and the ngo Catholic Relief Service in data collection, data entry, processing and reporting. In my last job at a construction company, I was an earthwork supervisor.
I would love to pursue Agricultural economics.

My name is Patson Phiri.
I am married and have two daughters. I completed secondary school and got the chance to get a class C drivers license at Industrial Training Centre in Lusaka.
A have been working in a security company as a driver in the rapid response team. I was part of the building team at the Jacana Business Centre.
In future, I love to study power electrics.

​I am Fanwel Mbale. After completing my secondary education, I worked as a cook at a restaurant. In future, I would love to become a plumber. I am married and have 3 sons and 1 daughter. My hobbies are listening to music, reading and making friends.

I am Vinious Kamanga, from Lundazi Township, a driver by profession. I completed my secondary education from Lumezi day Secondary school. Previously I worked as general worker at CCAP guest house then later was promoted to supervisor. I also worked as a security guard for two years at G3, currently am working for Jacana Foundation in Lundazi as security guard.

I am Isaac Gondwe. Previously I worked for the ministry of works and supply; I am skilled in gardening and offering security services as guard. Currently am working for Jacana Foundation in Lundazi as security Guard and general worker.

Reuben Banda is my name. I was born in 1991. I am married and have one child.

Previously, I worked as officer ordery in Lundazi for six months. Thereafter, I went to Grafax cotton where I worked as a security guard for three years.

Currently I am working at Jacana as a security guard and general worker.

My name is Tryford Zimba. I am married with 5 children. I am a skilled security guard with 6 years working experience. Before I became a security guard, I was working for conservation and agriculture services providers as a sales officer.
Currently, I am working for Jacana foundation as a security guard and general worker.

Hello, I am Dinie Nijssen, My responsibilities are raising funds for Jacana and keeping my eyes open for new innovative projects. When I see opportunities for new, innovative projects I mobilize the staff and together we try to realize it. My strength is to motivate people and bring out the best in them. I worked in the Netherlands as a director of my own company and after that I was a consultant for teachers and school managers, whom I trained and coached. I worked in several African developing countries, Ghana, Tanzania, Kenya and Zambia. I am also a board member for the board in the Netherlands and Zambia. Email: dinie.nijssen[at]jacana.help

I’m René van Dongen and I am the chair person for Jacana Foundation in the Netherlands. I am a software consultant specialized in database management.

I’m Erik Dijk, I am the treasurer of the Jacana foundation. I will contribute my knowledge of reporting and project control to inform our partners. At the moment I’m a senior financial advisor at the Veiligheidsregio Gooi en Vechtstreek.

Hello, I am Ria de Vries and I am a board member of Jacana Foundation. I have some Africa experience, for example I worked for two years in Ghana with disabled children and I like to travel in African countries. At the moment I am working as occupational therapist in a nursing home.

Benedicto is a renowned and seasoned life coach and a Youth motivator who has more than 20 years of experience in working with young people with projects related with livelihood, health and education and integrated water resource management. He stated his work career as a United Nation Volunteer in rural Malawi and has worked with both national and international NGOs in Zambia in different capacities of programming and project life cycle. Benedicto has a Diploma in Farming for Profit from UK, bachelors in Business Administration from USA, Master in Human rights from India.

Mr. Zulu has a chartered Institute of Bankers Qualification in banking and at the moment is a Branch Manager at Finance Bank Zambia Plc in Chipata. He has more 35 years’ experience in banking and having worked before for Barclays bank Zambia Plc and Cavmont banks prior to joining Finance bank. He is therefore experienced in finances and is Jacana’s Treasurer.

Ms.Josephine Matibini is soil scientist at Msekera Research Station. She studied chemistry at University of Zambia. She has worked from 1998 in Chipata and she knows the town very well.

Ms. Chipeta is a lawyer and studied at Cavendish University where she graduated in 2013. She worked for a firm in Lusaka and Chipata. In 2015 she decided to start for herself in Chipata as director for Temitope Real Estate”.

Mr. Brian Kalindi is a Water Engineer by profession. Graduated from Natural Resources Development College. Currently working for the Department of Water Resources Development (DWRD) as an Assistant Water Engineer (Engineering Assistant). His duties:

1. Undertakes timely inspection of project sites in order to monitor compliance to regulation.
2. Coordinates timely maintenance and rehabilitation of surface water infrastructure projects in order to enhance and sustain their operability.
3. Undertakes effectively monitoring and evaluation of surface water infrastructure projects and programmes in order to facilitate decision making and identification of interventions.