SFHC Staff of Ekwendeni Hospital
Lizzie Shumba - Project Coordinator
Lizzie joined SFHC as the Project Coordinator in 2003. Although she is from Lilongwe, she enjoys working in Ekwendeni, where she lives with her husband and two young sons. Lizzie is currently studying at the Natural Resources College in Lilongwe, working towards a diploma in nutrition and agriculture. She looks forward to sharing what she learns with her colleagues when she returns to Ekwendeni during the summer months. During her spare time, Lizzie enjoys cooking and singing.
Laifolo Dakishoni – Accountant
Laifolo, or ‘Dak’ as he is commonly called, started working with SFHC in November 2001. Dak studied at the Malawi College of Accounting, where he earned a diploma in accounting. His passion for community involvement and participation drove him to become involved with the project. Since 2001 he has enjoyed being part of the project’s evolution, and has been greatly motivated by the farmers’ eagerness to learn and try new things. He lives in Mzuzu with his wife and children. During his free time he enjoys visiting with his friends and family.
Rodgers Msachi – Community Promoter
Msachi joined the project as a participating farmer and FRT member in 2000. His passion and dedication impressed the office staff, and in 2005 he became the project’s Agricultural Promoter. Msachi enjoys interacting with the participating farmers in the villages on a daily basis, and takes pride in their successes: it is evident that the quality of their soils has improved because of their hard work. When he is not promoting the project, Msachi keeps busy as the leader of the New Apostolic Church. He enjoys preaching, singing, and dancing.
Zacharia Nkhonya – Food Security Supervisor
Mr. Nkhonya Started with the project in September 2007. From Karonga area, moved to Ekwendeni in September to work with SFHC. Is married and has three children. Attended Natural Resources College (in Lilongwe - 1996), where he earned a certificate in agriculture. He enjoys working with SFHC because he likes interacting with the people in the various communities. Earned a diploma in Business Studies from Chamber of Commerce and Industry by correspondence (located in the UK – 2003). When not working, Mr. Nkhonya spends his time reading and preparing to write exams to earn a diploma in Rural and Community Development.
Penjani Kanyimbo – Driver and Research Assistant
Penjani has been part of SFHC since the project began in 2000. He enjoys working with the project because he likes researching in the villages and learning new things from the farmers and staff. He particularly enjoys translating interviews for project staff, as it is an opportunity to learn about new issues. Penjani was married in December 2007, and lives in Ekwendeni. In his spare time, he enjoys watching movies, reading novels, and spending time with his friends.
Collaborating Researchers
Dr. Rachel Bezner Kerr, SFHC Research Coordinator, Department of Geography
University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario Website: http://geography.uwo.ca/faculty/beznerkerrr
Rachel is the SFHC Research Coordinator, and is committed to the participatory, interdisciplinary and social justice focus of the SFHC project. Rachel helps to design, conduct and analyse SFHC research, and conducts her own related research on varied topics, from seed access, to AIDS-affected agriculture, to agricultural history. Now based in the Department of Geography at the University of Western Ontario, Rachel has a PhD in Development Sociology, a MSc in soil science and international development and a BSc in International Development. Rachel is married to Wayne and they have two children, Carmen and Miriam. She loves reading, gardening, hiking and practising her Tumbuka!
