OUR TEAM
WHO WE ARE
Standing Voice is an international non-governmental organisation working to promote the rights and well-being of people with albinism in Africa.
Founded in 2013, we have offices in Tanzania, Malawi and the UK. Our work is made possible by the hard work and passion of our staff, volunteers and partners. Read more about our teams below.
Standing Voice is driven by a dedicated team of passionate advocates, supported by three Boards of Trustees and an experienced group of Expert Advisors.
STANDING VOICE TANZANIA
Alex Magaga
Operations Director
Alex’s journey has been shaped by hardship and resilience. Orphaned at the age of four, he moved from family to family, an experience that ignited his lifelong commitment to supporting vulnerable communities, especially orphaned children. In 2014, Alex founded Lake Victoria's Children, a grassroots NGO focused on supporting vulnerable children on Ukerewe Island, a mission he continues to champion as a trustee.
With a background in education and finance, Alex began his career as a mathematics teacher in private schools. His pivotal role as Producer and Production Coordinator for the BBC documentary In the Shadow of the Sun, which spotlighted the challenges faced by people with albinism, led to his deepened commitment to advocating for the rights of this group.
As co-founder of Standing Voice Tanzania, Alex has been instrumental in the organisation’s growth, leading transformative initiatives that have significantly impacted the lives of people with albinism. Most notably he chaired the committee overseeing Tanzania's national action plan on albinism, as well as in designing and developing the Umoja Training Centre, one of Standing Voice's flagship projects.
Fluent in five languages and deeply connected to the cultures of Tanzania’s Lake Region, Alex brings invaluable lived experience to his work. His understanding of local realities ensures that Standing Voice’s approach is culturally sensitive, relevant, and effective.
Alex Magaga
Operations Director
Mary Shayo CPA
Finance and Administration Manager
Mary leads the Finance and Administration department at Standing Voice Tanzania, overseeing financial operations and administrative functions to support the organisation’s mission.
A Certified Public Accountant, Mary holds a degree in Business Administration with a specialisation in Accounting and Finance. She brings extensive experience in financial management, having previously worked as a Finance Officer for an organisation dedicated to empowering farmers with sustainable agricultural and agribusiness skills.
With a strong passion for financial stewardship and organisational efficiency, Mary is committed to ensuring the effective and transparent management of Standing Voice’s resources, enabling the organisation to maximise its impact across Tanzania.
Mary Shayo, CPA
Finance and Administration Manager
Robi Mataiga
Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Manager
Robi was born and raised in Tarime, a rural district in Tanzania’s Mara region. Driven by a passion for social impact, he pursued studies in Project Management with the goal of empowering underserved communities.
Robi has worked with the Peter Hewitt Care for Africa Foundation, helping to provide clean water, healthcare, and economic opportunities to rural communities. He also has extensive experience working with street children programs in Dar es Salaam, supporting some of the city’s most vulnerable youth.
As Standing Voice’s Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Manager in Tanzania, Robi oversees program implementation, ensuring our initiatives are impactful and responsive to the needs of the communities we serve.
Robi Mataiga
Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning Manager
Chrispine Mabwenga
Welfare Manager
Chrispine has ten years experience working with both national and international NGOs in Tanzania. His work has driven meaningful community development through initiatives focused on child and maternal nutrition, social accountability monitoring, child protection, primary healthcare, and water and sanitation.
With strong lobbying and advocacy skills, Chrispine has played a key role in amplifying the voices of marginalised groups and holding local governments accountable. His expertise in negotiation at district, regional and national levels has helped advance policies that protect vulnerable communities.
Passionate about human rights, he is committed to improving the lives of women, youth, children under five, people living with HIV/AIDS, the elderly, and people with disabilities. Chrispine currently serves as Standing Voice Tanzania’s Welfare Manager, which among other things involves managing the Umoja Training Centre on Ukerewe Island, Tanzania, where he continues to champion inclusion, empowerment, and social justice.
Chrispine Mabwenga
Social Protection and Welfare Manager
Christina Silas
Health Programmes Coordinator
Born in Arusha, Tanzania, Christina Silas is a dedicated advocate for inclusion, empowerment, and the rights of marginalised communities. She holds extensive experience working with women, youth, and people with disabilities, she brings a compassionate and knowledgeable approach to her role at Standing Voice.
Christina holds a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from the Institute of Social Work in Dar es Salaam, where she specialised in disability studies and advocacy. Before joining Standing Voice, she worked as a Helpline Officer with Under the Same Sun and the Tanzania Albinism Society, supporting individuals with albinism and advocating for their rights and dignity. She later served as a Project Coordinator at the Tanzania Federation of Disabled People’s Organisations, where she led a UNFPA-funded initiative focused on disability inclusion.
With a deep commitment to fostering resilience and independence, Christina plays a vital role in advancing Standing Voice’s health programs, ensuring equitable access to healthcare and support for those who need it most.
Christina Silas
Health Programmes Coordinator
Ramadhan Hajj
Health Programmes Coordinator
Born in Kilimanjaro and raised in Dar es Salaam, Ramadhan works across all of Standing Voice's Programmes. Ramadhan's previous experience in youth development projects, combined with his background in accounting and finance, make him an ideal leader of community collaboration.
Ramadhan Hajj
Health Programmes Coordinator
Innocent Mwandu
Health Programmes Coordinator
Born and raised on Ukerewe Island, Tanzania, Innocent Mwandu is passionate about social impact and advocacy. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Tourism and Cultural Heritage from Dodoma University.
Before joining Standing Voice, Innocent worked on projects supporting women living in extreme poverty, caregivers of orphans, and HIV-positive mothers for organisations including the Canada Africa Community Health Alliance (CACHA). His dedication to human rights and social justice led him to Standing Voice, where he was inspired by the organisation’s commitment to ending human rights abuses against people with albinism.
As Health Programmes Coordinator at Standing Voice Tanzania, Innocent works to ensure equitable access to dermatological healthcare for persons with albinism, fostering resilience and inclusion through his work.
Innocent Mwandu
Health Programmes Coordinator
Jane Mkongoma
Finance Officer
Jane Mkongoma holds a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce with a specialisation in Accounting from the University of Dar es Salaam.
Before joining Standing Voice, she worked as an Assistant Auditor at Zaidi Accounting and Auditing, where she gained valuable experience in financial analysis, compliance, and auditing practices. Now, as Finance Officer at Standing Voice, Jane plays a key role in ensuring the organisation’s financial operations run smoothly and efficiently.
With a strong foundation in accounting and a commitment to financial integrity, she contributes to the effective management of resources that support Standing Voice’s mission across Tanzania.
Jane Mkongoma
Finance Officer
Vedastus Zangule
UTC Support Officer
Vedastus originally became involved with Standing Voice following his starring role in the documentary In the Shadow Of The Sun. Since then, he has completed secondary school with the support of Standing Voice’s Education Programme and is now pursuing a career in radio production and journalism. As our UTC Support Officer, Vedastus provides on-the-ground assistance to many of our operations at the Umoja Training Centre on Ukerewe Island.
Vedastus Zangule
UTC Support Officer
Mashaka Tuju
Education Support Officer
Mashaka Tuju brings both professional expertise and lived experience to his role at Standing Voice. As a passionate advocate for the rights and inclusion of people with albinism, he served for eight years as the Secretary General of the Mwanza branch of the Tanzanian Albinism Society, working to empower and support his community.
Tuju has been a dedicated educator since 2009, teaching at Kirumba Primary School while pursuing his own academic journey. As a beneficiary of the Standing Voice Education Scholarship Fund, he successfully earned a Bachelor’s degree in Arts with Education, equipping him with the skills to further support students facing similar challenges.
Now, as Education Support Officer, Tuju plays a vital role in guiding ESF students through Standing Voice’s education, health and advocacy programs. His personal experience and deep commitment to disability rights make him a powerful champion for equitable education and social inclusion in Tanzania.
Mashaka Tuju
Education Support Officer
Theresia Nkumilwa
Field Officer
Theresia Nkumilwa first joined Standing Voice as a volunteer in Mwanza before becoming a Field Officer 2018. With a background in human geography and poverty alleviation, she brings valuable expertise to her role in supporting the organisation’s health programs across the Tanzanian Lake Zone.
She holds a Bachelor’s degree from Mwenge Catholic University in Moshi and a certificate in Psychosocial Counselling. She is dedicated to improving access to healthcare and social support for marginalised communities. Through her work, Theresia plays a key role in ensuring the effective delivery of Standing Voice’s programs across .
Theresia Nkumilwa
Welfare Officer
Valelia Mambya
Field Officer
Valelia Mambya holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Statistics from Mwenge Catholic University in Moshi.
Before joining Standing Voice, she worked as a Mathematics teacher at Mzigu School in Mwanza, where she developed strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Now, as a Field Officer, Valelia plays a vital role in supporting the organisation’s programs, applying her expertise to enhance data-driven decision-making and program implementation.
Her commitment to community development and passion for meaningful impact drive her work in advancing Standing Voice’s mission across Tanzania.
Valelia Mambya
Monitoring and Evaluation Officer
Elizabeth Kampala
Field Officer
Elizabeth Kampala holds a Diploma in Community Development from Buhare College in Mara. Prior to joining the staff team, she was a recipient of the Standing Voice Education Programme, and gained valuable work experience volunteering at the Community Development Department of local Government Offices. In her role at Standing Voice, Elizabeth is dedicated to supporting the delivery of frontline field work. She is an invaluable asset to Standing Voice, working hard to enhance the well-being and inclusion of people with albinism in Tanzania.
Elizabeth Kampala
Field Officer
Victoria Deodatus
Field Officer
Born in Mwanza, northern Tanzania, Victoria holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Statistics from Mwenge Catholic University.
Before joining Standing Voice, Victoria gained valuable experience as a Research Assistant at the Mwanza Intervention Trial Unit, working under the National Institute for Medical Research. In this role, she contributed to important research initiatives that informed public health strategies and interventions.
As a Field Officer at Standing Voice, Victoria applies her strong analytical skills and research background to support the organisation’s programs, ensuring effective data collection, monitoring, and evaluation. Her dedication to improving community health and wellbeing drives her work in advancing Standing Voice’s mission across Tanzania.
Victoria Deodatus
Project Officer
Thelma Rashid
Patient Support Officer
Thelma is passionate about improving the lives of vulnerable communities in Tanzania. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Community Economic Development from the Open University of Tanzania, as well as a diploma in International Relations and Diplomacy.
In her role as Referrals Support Officer, Thelma plays a pivotal role in supporting the welfare of patients referred for skin cancer treatment. She provides essential logistical support, helping to improve health outcomes for patients with albinism. Her dedication to enhancing the lives of those affected by skin cancer is at the heart of her work.
With academic foundation and unwavering commitment to community well-being, Thelma is instrumental in ensuring that individuals supported through the Skin Cancer Prevention Programme receive the care, resources, and attention they need.
Thelma Rashid
Patient Support Officer
Jaqueline Hubert
Head of House
Jaqueline Hubert
Head of House
Thomas George
Guard
Thomas George
Guard
Simon Mwalukimba
Guard
Simon Mwalukimba
Guard and Gardener
James
Guard
Driver
Sharif Zangule
Driver
Hamad Rashid
Driver
Hamad Rashid
Driver
Deus
UTC Guard
Lettie
UTC housekeeper
STANDING VOICE MALAWI
Tuntufye Juma
Head of Programmes
Tuntufye is an experienced professional with a strong background in project and partnership management. Before joining Standing Voice, she worked with Save the Children as an Inclusive Education Technical Specialist and Inclusive Education Manager, where she played a vital role in supporting vulnerable communities, particularly children with disabilities and those facing inequality and discrimination.
Passionate about inclusion, Tuntufye finds motivation in seeing children thrive through interventions that empower them to participate fully in society. She holds an MSc in Management Studies from the Malawi School of Government and now leads programme development and implementation for Standing Voice in Malawi.
Tuntufye Juma
Senior Programmes Manager
Dr Ndamiwe Kaseko
Health Programmes Manager
Ndamiwe leads the delivery of Standing Voice’s health programmes in Malawi, overseeing medical initiatives that enhance the well-being of people with albinism. She is dedicated to ensuring that individuals receive the essential care and support they need.
Before joining Standing Voice, Ndamiwe worked as a Dermato-Venereology Officer at Kamuzu Central Hospital in Lilongwe, where she ran specialised clinics for people with albinism. Her extensive experience and commitment to inclusive healthcare drive our efforts to provide accessible and high quality medical services to all persons with albinism in Malawi.
Dr Ndamiwe Kaseko
Health Programmes Manager
Eric Munthali
Finance & Operations Manager
Eric Munthali is Standing Voice’s Finance and Operations Manager in Malawi, bringing over a decade of experience in financial management and operations. Born and raised in Lilongwe, he has dedicated his career to supporting vulnerable communities through his expertise in finance.
Before joining Standing Voice, Eric worked with African Vision Malawi, where he played a key role in improving the lives of children and marginalised groups. Passionate about social impact, he sees his role at Standing Voice as a unique opportunity to help defend the rights of people with albinism.
Eric holds a Bachelor’s degree in Applied Accounting, Auditing, and Information Systems from Malawi College of Accountancy.
Eric Munthali
Finance & Operations Manager
Owen Mchekeni
Monitoring and Evaluation Officer
Owen is Standing Voice Malawi’s Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, bringing over four years of experience in project planning, implementation, and impact assessment.
Before joining Standing Voice, he worked with the Government of Malawi in various development roles for three years. His dedication to promoting the rights and well-being of people with albinism drives his work, ensuring that program are effective and impactful.
Owen holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Management and a certificate in Psychosocial Counselling. His passion for monitoring and evaluation plays a crucial role in advancing Standing Voice’s mission in Malawi.
Owen Mchekeni
Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Officer
Godfrey Mabvundo
Programs Officer
Godfrey brings eight years of experience in data collection, entry, and management, playing a vital role in monitoring and evaluation of our programmes in Malawi. He has worked with the National Statistics Office as an Enumerator, the National Registration Bureau as a Registration Officer, Save the Children International as a Data Entry Clerk, and Catholic Relief Services (CRS), gaining extensive expertise in research and data handling.
With a strong foundation in information technology, which he obtained in 2015, Godfrey’s skills ensure efficient data management, contributing to the effective implementation of Standing Voice’s programs.
Godfrey Mabvundo
Projects Officer
Daisy Chikowi
Social Welfare Officer
Daisy is a committed professional with extensive experience in social welfare, public health, and advocacy. As Community Support and Counselling Officer at Standing Voice Malawi, she works directly with individuals with albinism, providing essential support and addressing their unique needs.
Passionate about social justice and community empowerment, Daisy plays a key role in promoting the well-being and inclusion of people with albinism. She holds a Bachelor of Social Science in Anthropology from the Catholic University of Malawi and a Certificate in Psycho-Social Counselling.
Daisy Chikowi
Community Support & Counselling Officer
Lexxa Zacharia
Social Welfare Officer
Lexxa Zacharia is Social Protection Officer at Standing Voice Malawi, bringing over a decade of experience in community programs and human rights advocacy. Committed to justice and inclusion, she has worked with organisations such as the Association of Persons with Albinism in Malawi and the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace, championing the rights and well-being of people with albinism.
With a strong passion for mental health and social support, Lexxa blends her advocacy expertise with psycho-social care to empower the individuals and communities she serves. She holds a Certificate in Psycho-Social Counselling and Diploma in Hotel Management and Catering.
Lexxa Zacharia
Social Protection Officer
Carol O’Dea
Health Programmes Coordinator
Carol is the Practice Manager at Edenpark Surgery, a progressive GP training practice serving a disadvantaged community in North Dublin. With a background in business administration and large-scale project management in both Dublin and London, she brings extensive expertise in healthcare operations and community engagement.
As a board member of the community organisation SAFE, Carol has dedicated years to supporting marginalised groups within her practice area. She has also actively volunteered and fundraised for various charities, both in Ireland and internationally. In 2013, she and her family spent six months in Malawi, where she taught English at a village secondary school. This experience provided her with firsthand insight into the NGO sector and the severe challenges faced by people with albinism in the country.
Since then, Carol has been committed to improving access to essential skincare services for people with albinism in Malawi. She has played a key role in supporting the expansion of Standing Voice’s Skin Cancer Prevention Programme, ensuring life-saving dermatological care reaches those most at risk.
Carol O’Dea
Volunteer training Coordinator
Swerd Chikuse
Finance and Admin Assistant
Swerd is Standing Voice Finance and Admin Assistant. He holds a diploma in Financial Management. Before joining Standing Voice he worked as a Chef at Alpine Caterer's Company, and was a Distribution Supervisor for Flexopack Limited. Swerd has a passion for mathematics and is currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in accounting. Swerd plays a crucial role in supporting the Standing Voice Malawi finance and programmes teams, by conducting general day to day admin tasks, such as helping to maintain stock rooms, supporting the finance team and running errands.
Swerd Chikuse
Finance and Admin Assistant
STANDING VOICE UK
Harry Freeland
Executive Director / Founder
Harry is the Founder and Executive Director of Standing Voice, a globally recognised human rights organisation dedicated to promoting the rights and well-being of people with albinism in Africa. A renowned British documentary filmmaker and photographer, Harry’s award-winning work has focused on human rights issues, taking him to some of the most remote and challenging corners of the world.
His feature length documentary In the Shadow of the Sun, which aired on BBC and PBS in 2012, brought international attention to the plight of people with albinism, and helped spark a global movement that led him to founding Standing Voice 2013. Since then, under Harry's leadership, Standing Voice has grown into one of the foremost charities addressing the challenges faced by individuals with albinism, implementing pioneering programs that have transformed lives across Africa.
With 13 years of experience leading the charity, Harry oversees the strategic direction of the organisation, providing executive management across its operations, and cultivating key relationships with partners, funders, and stakeholders. His passion for advocacy, combined with his deep commitment to social justice, has driven Standing Voice’s success in advocating for systemic change and improving the lives of those most in need.
Harry Freeland
Executive Director and Founder
Ruth Ayarza
Head of Programmes and Partnerships
Ruth leads Standing Voice’s Programmes and Partnerships, ensuring the effective delivery of initiatives and the development of strong collaborations. With 25 years of experience in public health, she has worked extensively with marginalised communities facing stigma and discrimination. Her expertise spans sexual and reproductive health, HIV, disability rights, social inclusion, neglected tropical diseases, social and behaviour change, and organisational strengthening.
Most recently, Ruth managed an advocacy fund focused on policy reform in sexual and reproductive health, social inclusion, gender equality, and diversity. Originally from Ecuador, she has worked globally, including across multiple countries in sub-Saharan Africa. She holds an MA in Gender and Development and is committed to driving sustainable change for vulnerable communities.
Ruth Ayarza
Head of Programmes and Partnerships
Alfred Thomas
Finance Manager
Alfred Thomas is Standing Voice’s Finance Manager, overseeing financial activities, records, and accounts across the UK, Tanzania, and Malawi. With over 20 years of experience in financial management, he has worked with multiple NGOs and INGOs in the UK, including Action Against Hunger, building a strong track record of success in nonprofit finance.
Alfred holds a master’s degree in Professional Accounting and is passionate about using his expertise to drive positive change. His strategic approach to financial management ensures Standing Voice operates efficiently and sustainably, maximising its impact in supporting people with albinism.people with albinism.
Alfred Thomas
Finance Manager
GOVERNANCE
Anton Bilton
Founder and Patron
Anton Bilton is an economics graduate of City University London. Anton is Executive Deputy Chairman of London Stock Exchange-Listed Raven Russia Ltd. He has been a founder and director of three other public companies that have floated on London's AIM. Anton's philanthropic efforts are focused through his own charity, The Bilton Charitable Foundation, and through Standing Voice, which he was inspired to co-found after watching In the Shadow of the Sun.
Anton Bilton
Founder and Patron
Sabine Zetteler
Chair of the UK Board of Trustees
Sabine is a PR professional with over a decade of professional publicity experience. She is the founder of Zetteler Creative Publicity, a London-based agency specialising in PR, marketing, filmmaking and events for people, brands and institutions operating in the fields of design, craft and art. She holds a degree in management and sustainability, and is closely involved with a number of charitable initiatives alongside Standing Voice, including Hackney Winter Night Shelter and Crisis at Christmas.
Sabine Zetteler
Chair of the UK Board of Trustees
Gurmeet Kaur
Treasurer of the UK Board of Trustees
Gurmeet brings a wealth of experience from her background in finance and international development. She started her career in finance and switched to international development almost a decade ago, driven by her passion for providing opportunities to those who are less privileged. Most recently, she headed up Impact Funds investments at the CDC Group where she was responsible for setting up the investment strategy and building a portfolio of investments in East Africa, West Africa and South Asia. As a result, Gurmeet has spent a large amount of time across Africa and Asia looking at businesses that serve the poor and marginalised. Prior to this role, she worked at the Children's Investment Fund Foundation where she was responsible for grants targeting significant maternal and child health improvements in Africa.
Gurmeet Kaur
Treasurer of the UK Board of Trustees
Innocentia Mgijima-Konopi
UK Board of Trustees
Innocentia is Zimbabwean-born human rights lawyer whose work focuses on advocating for the rights of persons with disabilities in Africa. Having earned a Law degree from the University of Witwatersrand in 2010, Innocentia was awarded the Open Society Disability Rights Scholarship in 2013 which enabled her to study towards a Masters in International and Comparative Disability Law and Policy at National University of Ireland, Galway. This laid the groundwork for her to advance and foster the formulation, implementation and domestication of disability rights on the content, including the rights of persons with albinism. Her contribution to albinism has included providing research support to the UN Independent Expert on Albinism, editing the first journal on economic, social and cultural rights of persons with albinism in Southern Africa and supporting countries in the development of their National Action Plans. Inocentia is currently pursuing her PhD studies at the University of Witwatersrand.
Innocentia Mgijima-Konopi
UK Board of Trustees Trustee
Harry Freeland
UK / Tanzania - Board of Trustees
Eshita Uadkat
UK Board of Trustees
Eshita is of Indian origin, born and raised in Tanzania, and now residing in London. With a strong background in the charity sector, she has held various frontline roles, including addressing health inequalities through social prescribing in partnership with NHS England.
A passionate advocate for the rights and inclusion of people with albinism, Eshita has been actively campaigning for awareness, particularly during Albinism Awareness Day. Each year, she encourages friends, family, and colleagues to wear white and share a fact about albinism, promoting understanding and breaking down misconceptions.
Eshita has created an inclusive environment for herself by openly voicing her needs and advocating for change. She serves on the board of the UK Albinism Fellowship, furthering her commitment to raising awareness and advancing the rights of individuals with albinism.
As a Trustee of Standing Voice, Eshita is dedicated to continuing her advocacy work, striving for a more inclusive world for all.
Eshita Uadkat
UK - Board of Trustees
Jonathan Beale
UK Trustee
Jon Beale has extensive experience promoting social justice through organisations in Africa and in the UK. Jon has worked with a number of groups facing societal challenges, including torture survivors, political detainees, asylum seekers, orphaned children in rural Kenya, children with autism and ADHD, and people with albinism in Tanzania. Jon is also an experienced researcher, with a particular interest in the cyclical nature of trauma in society and the impact of conflict and extremism on human rights in Africa.
Jon was a founding member of Standing Voice, spending 12 years working as a staff member. First as an Operations Manager and later as their Director of Development, where he helped propel the organisation to where it is today. Prior to joining Standing Voice Jon worked as Swahili Translator on the organisations founding film, In the Shadow of the Sun. He holds a First Class degree in African Language (Swahili) and Culture from SOAS (School of Oriental and African Studies), London. Following Jon’s departure from the UK staff team in 2024, we are delighted Jon has chosen to join the UK Board of Trustees.
Jonanthan Beale
UK / Malawi - Board of Trustees
Alex Magaga
Tanzania - Board of Trustees
Sister Martha Mganga
Tanzania - Board of Trustees
Sr. Martha Mganga is a dedicated community support worker and advocate based in Arusha, Tanzania. Born as the seventh child in her family, but the first with albinism, Sr. Martha faced significant ostracism and discrimination throughout her childhood. Despite these early challenges, she persevered, enrolling in a religious training program in Kenya, and later committing herself to the protection and empowerment of children with albinism.
Sr. Martha’s work is rooted in family counselling and community sensitisation, advocating for the rights and inclusion of individuals with albinism. She is the founder of Peacemakers for Albinism and Community, a grassroots organisation focused on empowering people with albinism through community advocacy, vocational training, and education.
With her lived experience as a woman with albinism and her extensive expertise as a community mobiliser, Sr. Martha brings invaluable insight and leadership to the Board of Trustees. Her deep commitment to advancing the rights of marginalised communities strengthens the mission of Standing Voice and its work in Tanzania.
Sister Martha Mganga
Tanzania - Board of Trustees
Tadala Peggy Chinkwezule
Malawi - Board of Trustees
Tadala Peggy Chinkwezule is a trained lawyer with over 10 years of practice experience and the current President of the Women Lawyers Association of Malawi. Tadala holds a Bachelor of Law Degree Hons from the University of Malawi, and a Masters in Human Rights and Democratisation (LLM) from the University of Pretoria. She works for the AHL Group PLC as Legal Services Manager and serves as Company Secretary for one of the subsidiaries AHL Commodities Exchange. Prior to working at AHL, Tadala worked as Legal Counsel for the Malawi Revenue Authority and as a Senior Legal Aid Advocate for the Malawi Legal Aid Bureau, then under the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs. Tadala is passionate about the promotion and protection of human rights, especially the rights of people with albinism, women and children.
Tadala Peggy Chinkwezule
Malawi - Board of Trustees
Hon. Grace Tikambenji Malera
Malawi - Board of Trustees
Honourable Grace Tikambenji Malera is the current Ombudsman for the Republic of Malawi, a position she has held since 2021. With a distinguished career spanning 19 years, she is a seasoned lawyer and human rights expert with extensive experience in both the public and nongovernmental sectors.
Grace holds a Bachelor of Law (LLB Hons) from the University of Malawi and a Master of Law (LLM) from the University of the Free State, Republic of South Africa. She was called to the Malawi Bar in 2002, where she has since practiced law in both the Supreme Court of Malawi and subordinate courts.
Before her appointment as Ombudsman, Grace held several significant leadership roles, including serving as the Executive Director of ActionAid International Malawi from 2017 to 2018. She was also the Executive Secretary (Chief Executive Officer) of the Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC) from 2012 to 2017, and held various roles in legal services at the MHRC from 2003 to 2012, including Director and Deputy Director of Legal Services.
Grace’s wealth of legal and human rights expertise, combined with her leadership experience, makes her an invaluable member of our Board of Trustees. Her dedication to justice and human rights continues to inspire her work in both the national and international arenas.
Hon. Grace Tikambenji Malera
Malawi - Board of Trustees
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Andrew Sharp
Chair of the Advisory Committee
Andrew Sharp was raised in East Africa, undertaking his surgical training in the UK and Zimbabwe. For many years he combined general practice with a hospital surgical post in Leicester, UK. In 2014 he left general practice to focus on his role in skin cancer management and surgery in the Department of Dermatology in Leicester. He is a member of the British Society of Dermatological Surgeons, a Fellow of the Royal College of General Practitioners and a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh.
Owing to his strong interest in skills-training for medical professionals who manage skin cancer in people with albinism, he first joined Standing Voice as a volunteer in 2017. Dr. Sharp now leads in the development of surgical training in Standing Voice’s Skin Cancer Prevention Programme.
Dr Andrew Sharp
Chair - Dermatology & Surgery (UK)
Bonface Massah
Advisory Committee
Bonface holds a degree in Agriculture from Bunda College, a Master's in Disability and Rehabilitation Studies from Stellenbosch University in South Africa, and a certificate in leadership from the University of Virginia Presidential Precinct under the Mandela Washington Fellowship. Bonface has over fifteen years' experience working in senior management positions and civil society leadership in Malawi. He has worked on disability programmes and as an advocate for the rights of persons with albinism in Malawi and across Africa. He has received a number of awards and accolades in recognition of his contribution to the protection of human rights in this area.
Bonface Massah
Senior Advisor - Human Rights (Malawi)
Dr. Melissa Kanchanapoomi Levin
Advisory Committee
Dr. Melissa Kanchanapoomi Levin is a board-certified dermatologist practising in New York City, a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology, clinical attending professor at New York University Langone Health, clinical instructor at Mount Sinai Hospital in the Department of Dermatology, and Founder and Director of Entière Dermatology. She is committed to the education and training of dermatologists by serving as a reviewer for numerous medical journals, performing clinical research trials, and lecturing at national professional meetings. Dr. Levin’s interest in training local healthcare providers in Africa began when she spent a year performing research in Kaposi’s Sarcoma in Uganda. Since that time, she has undertaken research, delivered dermatological care, and taught dermatology in Thailand, Botswana, and Uganda.
Dr. Levin plays a leading role in Standing Voice’s contributions to research and training in skin cancer prevention.
Dr Melissa Kanchanapoomi Levin
Senior Advisor - Dermatology (USA)
Dr Daudi Mavura
Advisory Committee
Dr. Daudi Mavura is the current Principal of the Regional Dermatology Training Center (RDTC) and Senior Lecturer of the Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College in Moshi, Tanzania. Dr. Mavura holds a Medical Degree from the University of Carlos J. Finlay (Cuba) and a Master's of Medicine degree in Dermatovenereology from Tumaini University (Tanzania). Dr. Mavura specialised in dermatosurgery, developing his knowledge at UKT-Germany and the Univesidad de Alcalá de Henares in Spain. Dr. Mavura has published and co-authored several papers, primarily in tropical dermatology.
Through Standing Voice’s partnership with the RDTC, Dr. Mavura plays an instrumental role in developing the expertise of community dermatologists enrolled in Standing Voice’s Skin Cancer Prevention Programme.
Professor Daudi Mavura
Senior Advisor - Dermatology (Tanzania)
Dr Charlotte Baker
Advisory Committee
Dr Charlotte Baker is Professor of French and Critical Disability Studies at Lancaster University. Charlotte’s research focuses on disability and stigma in sub-Saharan Africa, with a particular interest in albinism. She has published widely on the socio-cultural realities of living with albinism, cultural representations of albinism, and the human rights abuses against people with albinism. She led the Wellcome Trust funded Albinism in Africa project (2014-2017) and she is currently leading the Disability and Inclusion in Africa project, funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council, which foregrounds the importance of alternative explanations for disabilities in African contexts.
Professor Charlotte Baker
Senior Advisor - Disability Rights (UK)
Mark Fish Advisory Committee
Returning to the UK, Mark began working with survivors of torture and other gross human rights violations at London-based NGOs Freedom from Torture and the Helen Bamber Foundation. In 2007, Mark founded Room to Heal, a therapeutic community for survivors of torture and worked as its Director until 2018. In the same year, Mark set up Groupworks International, to both further disseminate the Room to Heal model of community healing and to provide therapeutic support and supervision to human rights organisations in regions of greatest need.
Mark has 30 years experience working as a counsellor and group therapist in the voluntary, statutory and private sectors in the UK. Between 2002-04 Mark worked as the Country Representative for QPSW in Northern Uganda, helping build peace initiatives with local NGOs, developing trauma healing programmes for people affected by conflict.
Mark Fish
Senior Advisor - Mental Health (UK)
Dr Patricia Lund
Advisory Committee
Dr Lund is Associate Professor at Coventry University’s Faculty of Health and Life Sciences. While working as a lecturer in genetics at the University of Zimbabwe in the early 1990s, Dr Lund initiated a project investigating the inherited condition oculocutaneous albinism. Since then she has explored genetic, health, educational and social issues surrounding albinism in southern and central Africa, publishing countless research studies to provide the evidence base to inform policy and attitudes to albinism. Dr Lund’s research has largely defined scientific discussions relating to albinism over the past 30 years. Dr Lund has worked with the SV for many years on projects targeting community perceptions of albinism, through the development of awareness-raising materials and methods to grow community understanding of genetic inheritance relating to albinism. Dr Lund has worked with the Standing Voice team on research and advocacy projects funded by the International Foundation of Applied Disability Research (FIRAH) and the Wellcome Trust.
Dr Patricia Lund
Senior Advisor - Genetics (UK)
Liz Roberts
Advisory Committee
Dr Elizabeth Roberts completed her medical training at St Bartholomew’s Hospital in 1995, before moving to Leicester to undertake training in general and emergency medicine. She worked as a General Practitioner for many years, before retraining in dermatology, gaining her CCT in 2020. She now works as a Consultant Dermatologist at the University Hospitals of Leicester. Her interests include Phototherapy and Photodynamic therapy. She is a core member of the regional skin cancer team, and has been involved in a national pilot of the use of artificial intelligence in diagnosing skin cancer. Dr Roberts has a PGCE in medical education, and has provided training to local medical officers in Tanzania in the identification and surgical management of skin cancers in people with albinism. She has published novel research on the use of photodynamic therapy to treat actinic field change in people with albinism.
Liz Roberts
Senior Advisor - Dermatology (UK)
Dr Mark Wheeler
Advisory Committee
Dr Mark Wheeler is a GP with a particular interest in dermatology. He worked as a GP in Australia before becoming a GP Principal in Hove, UK. In 1997 he moved with his family to Ireland to practise in Dublin. He is the Senior Partner at Edenpark Surgery, a progressive teaching and GP-training practice in Dublin. He serves on the Board of the Irish Skin Foundation and is a member of both the Primary Care Dermatology Society of Ireland and the Primary Care Surgical Association. Dr Wheeler was also the medical adviser for the Irish charity To Russia with Love and is currently the doctor for the Howth RNLI in Dublin. In 2013 he undertook a sabbatical working as a volunteer doctor in a clinic in Malawi. Since then, he has been collaborating with Malawian dermatologist, Dr Kelvin Mponda, to develop a skincare programme for people with albinism in Malawi. In Spring 2016 he joined forces with Standing Voice to pursue this shared goal.
Dr Mark Wheeler
Senior Advisor - Dermatology (Ireland)
Professor Bayaki Saka
Advisory Committee
Professor Saka is a Togolese Dermatologist and Professor in Dermatology at the Centre Hospitalier-Universitaire (CHU) Sylvanus Olympio de Lomé, Togo. Professor Saka has made vital contributions to the prevention and management of skin diseases among people with albinism in Togo. He is a member of the Togolese Society of Dermatology (SOTODERM) and the French Society of Dermatology (SFD), and has over 90 publications in international and African medical journals. Professor Saka provides vital support and guidance to the Committee and implementation team on the international replication of the Skin Cancer Prevention Programme in Francophone African countries.
Professor Bayaki Saka
Senior Advisor - Dermatology (Togo)
Dr Rebecca Kammer
Advisory Committee
Dr Rebecca Kammer has been an Associate Professor of Optometry and Chief of Low Vision at the Southern California College of Optometry (SCCO) for thirteen years. She has Diplomate status in the American Academy of Optometry and several awards for leadership in the field. That same year, she completed her PhD in Education, which focused specifically on innovative teaching that promotes critical thinking. Since 2010 Dr Kammer has provided vision care to over 600 people with albinism in Tanzania. She resides in the U.S. but visits Tanzania at least twice a year to oversee delivery of the Standing Voice Vision Programme.
Dr Rebecca Kammer
Senior Advisor - Low Vision (USA)
Dr Kelvin Mponds
Advisory Committee
Kelvin Mponda
Senior Advisor - Dermatology (Malawi)