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.

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 Zambia. 

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 as an agriculture manager for Jacana Foundation. Currently pursuing a diploma in agro-ecology at Kasisi under University of Zambia (UNZA).

My name is Collins Musonda, I am manager at Jacana Foundation, Chipata office. I enjoy training and guiding small-scale entrepreneurs on how they can grow their business. I have an accounting technician educational background. I am also a farmer and a beekeeper and in my free time, I enjoy creating 3D animations and graphic designing. I worked as beekeeper trainer and made animated video tutorials (which you can find on this website) for Jacana in the past.

Chongo Phiri is my name, currently working at Jacana in Petauke district as an interim manager. In my formal job as Agro-officer at Jacana in Chipata I gained a lot of experience and enjoyed working in the field with motivated farmers. I hold a craft certificate in general agriculture, done short courses in project and finance management. Previously worked as a stock controller at Spar Chipata. I also do consultancy in agricultural related. I enjoy training and guiding small-scale entrepreneurs in sustainable way of farming. Currently pursuing a diploma in agro-ecology at Kasisi under University of Zambia (UNZA).

My name is Ricky Phiri, an Assistant Project Manager at Jacana Foundation. I am a social enterprise specialist with vast experience in program management, having led numerous projects and partnership engagements over the years. I have been privileged to have worked in various challenging industries within Zambian and gained extensive experience in planning, facilitation, sales and marketing, implementation and monitoring of programs and activities across different thematic areas including agriculture, health, nutrition, renewable energy and rural development. I hold a bachelor’s degree in economics from Cavendish University and a diploma in marketing from Evelyn Hone college.

Boston Chipeta is my name, current working at Jacana in Petauke district as Agro-officer and part-time EMD manager. In my formal job as Agro-officer at Jacana in Lundazi I gained a lot of experience and enjoyed working on the field with motivated farmers. I hold a certificate in agriculture, carpentry and joinery, fire and rescue services and I am also a holder of a bachelors degree in business entrepreneurship. I guide farmers on how to improve and run their businesses using local materials, for example using organic type of farming and agro-forestry. Currently pursuing a diploma in agro-ecology at Kasisi under University of Zambia (UNZA).

Hello I am Patson Banda, together with my wife I take care of of 3 daughters and 3 sons. I am a security officer at Jacana, I run a farm and I am making all kinds of pots and buckets from metal sheet.

My name is Moses E. Zimba. I am a water engineer by profession and I studied project management. At Jacana foundation, I am a technical officer at Chipata 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.

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.

My name is Mercy Zulu, I am a water engineer by profession and recently completed my tertiary education at Natural Development College (NRDC) in 2024.
I am a person who loves studying, learning new survival skills, solving problems, appreciating hard work and learning more about nature. I am a new member of staff and work as a junior technical field officer at one of Jacana’s branch within Eastern province in Petauke. I am passionate about clean/renewable energy, agriculture and solving water related problems. I look forward to improving the livelihood of my fellow Zambians with Jacana Business Foundation.

I am Sarah Banda, I am a mother of a girl and a boy. 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 daily tasks at Jacana are cooking for the staff and clean the office. I also arrange tea and lunches for trainings and workshops. 

My name is Keshias Manza. I am married with six children. I have worked for the forestry department at Masupe Forest Reserve assisting in potting of tree seedlings and planting. I am now working for Jacana Foundation as a security Guard.
In my spare time, I enjoy gardening where I grow different types of vegetables, like cabbage, tomatoes and carrots, etc.

​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.

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.

My name is George Mbewe. I am married with 6 children. I am a skilled security guard with 11 years of working experience. Previously, from 2009 to 2020 I was working for the Food reserve agency (FRA) as a senior security officer. Later in 2021, I started my own vegetable garden within Petauke to earn an income for my children after the contract ended at FRA.
Currently, I am working for Jacana Foundation as a security guard and general worker and I’m now in charge of the vegetable garden at Jacana Petauke office.

Hello, I am Ria de Vries and I am the chairperson of stichting Jacana in the Netherlands. 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 retired and before I was working as occupational therapist in a nursing home.

Hello, I would like to introduce myself. I am Wim Melenberg, the treasurer of the Jacana Foundation in the Netherlands. I am a chartered accountant by profession. In addition, I have been involved as a volunteer with many organizations in health care and education for many years. Also involved as chairman of the Microprojects Foundation in Emmen for over 15 years. For this foundation I have been to Burundi and other African countries several times. And fell in love with Africa. What a beautiful continent and what nice and lovely people I was able to meet there! In my position I hope to be able to contribute in my own way to a healthy future for the Foundation and thus to building a future for the people of Zambia.

Hi, my name is Floor. I was born in May 2000 and I am the newest member of the Dutch board of stichting Jacana. At the moment (Sep 2022) I am finishing my bachelors degree in international development at Wageningen University & Research. I plan on using the knowledge that I gained during this bachelor at stichting Jacana.
Furthermore I think of myself as an enthusiastic, spontaneous person, who likes to undertake many things and is always up for new projects. Besides this, I am the youngest board member at Jacana, which can bring new insights or plans on how to execute something, for both parties.
During my life I have travelled a lot and I have been involved with several development projects. I am curious to see what working at stichting Jacana will bring.

My name is Annemarieke Maltha, board member of stichting Jacana in the Netherlands.

I have worked for more than twenty years as a researcher and product manager for an international company, until I decided to change my career because of the desire to be more socially engaged. A project at the SMART Centre in Tanzania convinced me of the sustainability of self-supply and the positive impact of training local entrepreneurs in the production and marketing of SMARTechs. The impact of the work of Jacana on local communities, their sound and transparent way of working and their openness to share their knowledge are the main reasons for me to join.

Mr. Benedicto Phiri has worked as in many International NGO management teams.

Mr. Zulu has a chartered Institute of Bankers Qualification in banking and at the moment he is retired. He had 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  a retired 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.

Mwai Treenetar Phiri Kawimbe is an experienced lawyer, who holds a bachelor’s degree from Cavendish University Zambia. Prior to joining Jacana in November of 2021, Mwai had previously worked with Thandwe Legal Practitioners where she held the position of Legal Assistance from 2018 to 2021 as well as the Zambia Centre for Communications Program under the KWATU umbrella, a non-profit locally based multi-media communications organization, which uses the power of the mass media and social mobilisation to reach the Zambian population and to affect social and behaviour change.

My name is Brian Kalindi an Engineer by profession and a Board Member of Jacana Foundation in Zambia.

I have over 10 years’ experience in the Water and Sanitation sector working for both Government Departments and Non-Government Organization (NGOs) by providing monitoring, capacity building and technical support in WASH.

Additionally, i do possess/ provide extensive experience in hydrogeological investigation/ siting, boreholes drilling and construction and dam construction/ rehabilitation technical backstopping.