Featured Members
Rasel serves as the President of AGEN-USA Inc, as well as Executive Director of AGEN (he also serves as the website administrator to keep up and update it). He can be reached at rasel.madaha@agentz.org Rasel’s detailed CV can be accessed here.
As a lecturer at the Sokoine University of Agriculture located at Morogoro (click here), Tanzania, Rasel has been serving as the Departmental Chair of the Website Content Committee in the Department of Agricultural Extension and Community Development and Representatives to College of Agriculture Website Content Committee of Sokoine University of Agriculture since July 2020. He has enabled the Department to rise to the best of all academic departments in terms of website ranking at the university. Prior to that, he served as the Departmental Chair of the Undergraduate Studies Committee and Representatives to the College of Agriculture Undergraduate Studies Committee from July 2017 to July 2020. He facilitated the review and eventual approval of the curricula for BSc. Applied Agricultural Extension, and Bachelor of Community Development. The review led to increased enrolment of undergraduate students in the department from around 50 students prior to 2019 to nearly 500 students in 2020. Rasel has a career as an academician, researcher, author, consultant, and not-for-profit entrepreneur. As a researcher, academician, and author, Rasel has been engaging in multidisciplinary action research, social experiments, cross-sectional surveys, and ethnography since 2007. He authors over 12 articles (as a single author), published in refereed international journals and as chapters in international peer-review books. He is a recipient of several academic grants, which have enabled him to share his research findings in over 30 international conferences across countries located in North America, South America, Europe, the Middle East, West Africa, South Africa, and East Africa. Rasel has expertise in community development, gender and development, development economics, rural development, African studies, social anthropology, political economy, and agricultural extension. Rasel holds a Ph.D. in Development Studies from the University of Dar es salaam. He also holds two Masters Degrees, which are MA Global Gender Studies of the State University of New York, USA, and MA Rural Development of Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania. He also holds a BSc. in Agricultural Education and Extension of Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania, and a Diploma in Education from Morogoro Teachers’ College, Tanzania. Rasel has served as faculty for several higher learning institutions since 2007. As of 2014, he has been serving as a lecturer at Sokoine University of Agriculture located in Morogoro, Tanzania. He has supervised dissertations of over five postgraduate students (or graduate students) and has taught more than 10,000 undergraduate students in his areas of specialization. He holds membership in some reputable regional and international professional associations.
As a consultant and a not-for-profit entrepreneur, he has been engaging in the not-for-profit industry in Africa and the United States of America since 1996. He has developed a grassroots microfinance model that has been empowering grassroots entrepreneurs since 2011. He has also gained a national and international reputation by undertaking over 30 consultancy assignments for seven international NGOs and five local national NGOs. Professional consultancy services have been offered to reputable international not-for-profit NGOs such as fhi360 (Family Health International), German Agency for International Cooperation (GTZ), AFRICARE, and Norwegian Church Aid (NCA). He has also served as an employee of reputable international not-for-profit organizations such as the International Rescue Committee (IRC) and World Vision. He has also offered services to national not-for-profits such as Tanzania Gender Networking Program (TGNP), Legal and Human Rights Centre (LHRC), Village Community Banks (VICOBA) Federation of Tanzania in Tanzania as well as Jewish Family Services in New York, USA. The not-for-profits are located in both the Global South and Global North. Rasel is the founder of the Tanzania Chapter of the scaleWAYS- East Africa Community of Practice (CoP) with the support from the International Institute of Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA), the Lake Victoria Basin Commission of the East African Community (LVBC), the International Crops Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), and Austrian Development Cooperation.
Finally, Rasel, with excellent command of both English and Kiswahili languages, is a recipient of several prestigious awards including Fulbright, Champion of Women Economic Development for the year 2012, and the American Political Science Professional Development Award (two times). He has won several travel grants to present his work across the world. Rasel is married to Happy Faith Madaha. He has three daughters whose names are Miriam, Mariana, and Rachelmaria, and one son whose name is Justine.
Babalwa Dano
Babalwa Dano is a lecturer in the Department of Social Work at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, where she has been teaching since 2003. Babalwa is a PhD candidate at the State University of New York (Stony Brook), where she is a Fulbright Fellow. She completed her Masters and Undergraduate degrees in the University of KwaZulu – Natal, South Africa.
Her research interests include HIV/AIDS (focusing on Serodiscordance, Elderly, Care Givers, and Youth), Teenage Pregnancy, Organisational Change in Higher Education, Teaching and Learning in Social Work, and Women in Academia. She has published papers on HIV Serodiscordance, and around HIV/AIDS Management, this includes a manual on HIV Management for Care Givers, HIV/AIDS Manual for Traditional Healers (AIDS Foundation), and co-edited a book on HIV/AIDS in Africa.
Babalwa has taught various undergraduate modules in Social Work (Fields of practice in Social Work, HIV/AIDS and Gender Violence, Mental Health, and Family Therapy), and across disciplines (taught Psychosocial and Health Care Module to Dentistry and Pharmacology undergraduate students). She has also taught abroad, where she taught Masters in Research Methodology module at the Social Work Department in SUNY (Stony Brook), USA, and has been a visiting lecturer in the Department of Social Work, Jonkoping University in Sweden (2007).
Babalwa is a mentor to a cadre of youth who are promising leaders. This is a project where she ploughs back to the community by providing guidance, identifying a network of other mentors who can be role models to the youth, and also guide the youth on life skills (such as self-branding, networking, self-love and respect, and reading books that are motivational).
She has been serving as a board member of AGEN USA Inc (overseeing global operations) since 2011 to date. Beginning on August 2016, Babalwa serves as a Vice President for Volunteer Programs for AGEN-USA Inc
Divine Muragijimana
Divine Muragijimana, a Burundian native, is a Marketing Strategist and Events Development consultant who has also dedicated her life to training and investing in young African leaders. Currently, Ms. Muragijimana is also the president of The Council of Young African Leaders (The CYAL) and organization she co-founded with Okenfe Lebarty in 2011. Concurrently, she serves as Editor-in-chief of Applause Africa, a magazine whose mission is to bring news to the African community in the Diaspora, and put Africans and African initiatives at the forefront. Over the last 5 years, Ms. Muragijimana has been working with an extensive network of African organizations and African Businesses including nurturing and advising student organizations across the United States. While she enjoys her work in marketing and event planning, Ms. Muragijimana driving force is her love for Africa and appreciation of the political process and the role it plays in African societies.
Ms. Muragijimana is also a strong advocate for women’s rights and youth empowerment with a specialization in post-conflict zones in Africa. She now holds a BA in Liberal Arts from Malone University and Masters in Urban Policy and Administration from CUNY Brooklyn College. “My mother used to tell me that the strength of Africa and its greatest wealth is its people. It was not until I was almost done with my undergraduate studies that I saw the wisdom in her words. The African people are Africa’s greatest resource, and my life mission is develop as much of this resource as possible, because I strongly believe that together, we can see Africa move beyond the first frontier into a new horizon”. Ms. Muragijimana now serves as Vice President- United States of America Operations and Vice President- Administration and Finance for AGEN-USA Inc to oversee global operations.
Finance Professional with years of experience in financial analysis, financial reporting, financial modelling and budgeting. He started his career in management consulting where he worked in client engagements across three service lines i.e. strategy & operations, human capital and technology integration. He has experience in telecoms industry having worked with market leader in Tanzania and later on moved to finance role in mining industry also working with market leader in Tanzania and one of the largest gold producers in the world. Currently, he works in manufacturing sector for market leader and 2nd largest brewer in the world. From his experience, he has been working with large multi-national companies and has been consistently scoring above average performance rating manifested through understanding of the business and his roles, hit the ground from day one. He is ACCA member with MBA and Statistics degrees, and completed Swedish Institute Management Program. Andrew serves as the Chair of the board of directors for AGEN&AGEN-USA Inc.
Damilola Agbalajobi
Damilola Agbalajobi, was born on the 11th of August in Oyo, Nigeria. After early education in Ilorin, Kwara State, she proceeded to the University of Ilorin, Kwara State where she bagged B.Sc and M.Sc degrees in Political Science in 1997 and 2006 respectively. She is presently a Ph.D student at the Department of Political Science, University of Lagos. She initially worked at the Redeemer’s University as assistant lecturer from 2006 to 2012. She joined the services of Obafemi Awolowo University on the 1st of March, 2012, where she is presently a lecturer I. Her area of research interest is International Relations; Democracy and Human Rights; Politics of Development, Gender and Women Studies. She has written a copy of article on The Role of Women in Conflict Resolution and Peace building; Gender, Power and Political Participation; Gender and Corruption: Insight from Nigeria Democracy; Gender Disparity and the Challenges of Governance. She has ongoing research on Gender and Elections in Nigeria and the Geopolitical Analysis of the participation of women in Nigerian politics. She also has keen interest in multi-method research designs. She serves as Vice President of Advocacy and Sustainability for AGEN-USA Inc. She can be reached at damilola.agbalajobi@agentz.org
Bi. Amina Mnenge Mlawa
Ms Amina Mnenge Mlawa – Holder of Masters of Arts– Education – University of Dar es Salaam , Diploma in Leadership Development (specialization in Advocacy and Citizen Engagement, Community Based Conflict Transformation and Peace Building, and gender and Development) – Coady International Institute , University of St. Francis Xavier – Canada.
She is an experienced community worker with extensive experience in education, facilitation (training) and research undertakings in education, gender, health, leadership, good governance, poverty and development amongst others. For a number of years she has accumulated rich experience in working with grassroot communities (youth, children, and women) to improve their livelihoods. She is also involved in lobbying and advocacy work that aimed at citizen engagement in development agenda.
Member of a Group of Women Research and Documentation Association (WRDP). A Women’s research based Organization dealing with Multi Sectoral researches. She is Board Member of of the Tanzania Coalition on Debt and Development.
Currently Bi. Amina serves as one of the Director of Networking Marketing and Promotions and Executive Management Team of AGEN-USA Inc.
Dr. Juhi Roy
Originally from Bihar/Jharkhand in India, Juhi Roy started her career as a very young teacher in a private school due to financial difficulties faced by her family by the sudden demise of her father. Both her and her sibling tutored and taught at educational institutions to support their small household and at the same time tried to complete their necessary education. Later she worked for non-profits at the grassroots and policy level as well. She paved her path to the United States on an International Institute of Education(FFF)Fellowship and acquired her PhD (International Development) at University at Buffalo. She teaches courses on human rights, gender,environment, social change, health and poverty. Her interest area in research includes, gender poverty, human rights, health, environment,labor and policy. She represented GSEU/CWA as President for University at Buffalo for several terms.She actively participates in community service and other non profit events.
Juhi serves as Vice President- Gender Empowerment for AGEN-USA Inc.
Kidani is a holder of BA public Administration and international relations working as, programme officer, at Tanzania Network of Community health Funds (TNCHF), PPP/National health insurance funds coordinator of mutual health insurance scheme i.e. community health financing scheme.
She served national NGO network as board of directors for 4 years (Policy Forum)
Currently serving at the steering committee team of Tanzania coalition on debt and development.
She also promotes gender equality, do policy and budget analysis, social accountability monitoring and advocacy. In the past she served as a journalist at The Guardian Newspaper.
She now serves as Senior Director of Networking, Marketing and Promotion and board Member for AGEN-USA Inc.
Zakayo M Shaudo, a graduate from the University of Dar Es Salaam, holds a Bachelor Degree of Commerce in Tourism and Hospitality Management.
He had a 3 months volunteering opportunity to work for Community Conservation Services (CCS) at TANAPA attached to Mikumi National Park as a part of his field work. Here he worked in different departments and among them are Community Conservation Services (CCS), Marketing and Ecology.
He has conducted a few researches and among them is a paper titled “Social and Economic Impacts of Youth Migration to Mining Areas” a case study of Mererani 2013 University of Dar Es Salaam.
He works with Off Grid Electric Tanzania Limited (M-POWER) www.mpower.co.tz as a Regional Service Officer. Before coming to service department, he worked as a Regional Sales Officer for 6 months.
He now serves as one of the Directors for Networking, Marketing and Promotion for AGEN to oversee Tanzanian operations and as board member for AGEN-USA Inc responsible for international operations.
He is a Member of Tanzanian Parliament for Kisarawe constituency since 2010. He also serves as a Minister for the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania.
Hon. Jafo serves as a board member for both AGEN and AGEN-USA Inc.
Robert Hamis Shejamabu was born at Kibena, Njombe (Southern Of Tanzania). He can be reached at p.o.box 11 Njombe, phone no.+255765080801, email rshejamabu@gmail.com/ sheja.mabu@agentz.org. He is an active member in his community. He has received many awards following his active participation in grassroots community matters. He has developed professional skills in entrepreneurship, leadership, volunteerism, trainer of trainers, peer health education, strategic health communication, laws and village coordination. He has gained experience from working as basic member with Kibena Youth Fellowship (KYOFE), legal adviser with Sustainable Economic Conservation (SECO), Volunteering as researcher with TWAWEZA TANZANIA, Volunteering as General Secretary with Njombe Youth Network (NJOYONE), as a fellow with John Hopkins University (Center for Communication Programs) since March 2014 to March 2015, Volunteering as peer health educator with Highland Hope Umbrella (HHU) and Highlands Hope Umbrella (HHU) as Communication Officer of the Organization. He serves as Field Coordinator for AGEN responsible for overseeing Southern Tanzania. He has the following interests including reading books, Traveling with purpose, Watching television and movies, Politics issue, Discussing different development issues, Helping Young People in their difficult issues, To obtain knew Knowledge from my elders and To work on the community in order to achieve the goals
Bio of Adriano Clement
Adriano Clement has the following attributes work independently and in teams, Adaptive, Creative, Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, Self-discipline strong work ethics and trust, and Highly organized and detail-oriented. He holds a Bachelor of laws and works as Legal Officer for Elite Attorney. He has leadership skills in students Loan affairs, students ‘elections, Anti – Corruption, library management, and project management. He now serves as a board member for AGEN & AGEN USA Inc.
Mary Alex Mpangala
I am a community development person, strongly experienced in Economic empowerment, having a Bachelor of Science background. I have 9 years’ experience in community economic empowerment for vulnerable households in Tanzania, children and Youth included. I am also an experienced trainer and facilitator in areas of Economic strengthening and community resource mobilization, I have good mentoring and coaching skills, I have worked with Pact in establishing grounds for integrating Economic empowerment in the OVC programs, first the 5 years program which had the goal of responding to the emergence needs of Most Vulnerable Children, which then transitioned to the Coordinated care program, a system Strengthening program to ensure comprehensive care for Most Vulnerable children and their families . I have played a great role in training and mentoring other recruited staff engaged to support sub grantees across Pact areas. I have also participated in review of Economic Strengthening materials, monitoring and evaluation tools and adopting some to the friendly context for field use. I have highly contributed to the scale up of Economic empowerment activities to reach more vulnerable households and communities.
I have worked closely with Government Technical working groups to support activities which aim to support vulnerable families and HIV infected and affected community members. I have worked as consultant to a number of projects in contextualization and translation of community training materials.
Project Coordination Team
Enock Pingu
I am Enock Gwanchele Pingu. I hold a Bachelor of Community Development of Sokoinne University of Agriculture (SUA). I specialize on community development (empowering, mobilization, organization, advocacy and lobbying), sociology, anthropology, psychology, community, computer science, financial management (marketing, entrepreneurship, project planning, evaluation monitoring and appraisal) and administration and interpersonal skills. I have a great ambition to support community living in hash conditions. I have participated several capacity building trainings including project management, gender empowerment, proposal development, agro ecology, and national building army. I conducted my field attachment at Mbuyuni ward in Morogoro municipality. I offered training and professional counselling to the disadvantage group on education, gender, group formation, and entrepreneurship. I serve as Senior Project Coordinator for AGEN response for overseeing all projects and programs.
Email. enock.pingu@agentz.org
Anjelina Abeli Mpina
I am Anjelina Abeli Mpina. I hold a Bachelor of Community Development of Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA). I specialize on Gender; community development, Community organization and mobilization; Advocacy and lobbing; Conflict management and resolution; Project management and planning; and Adult learning. Other skills include: computer: Excellent in MS-Office, Internet, E-mail and MS-Power Point; Organization, Planning and Coordination; Decision Making; communication, Interpersonal; and leadership skill. I serve as Project Coordinator for AGEN response for overseeing gender empowerment.
Email: anjelina.mpina@agentz.org
Irigo Fahamuel Onesmo
FAHAMUEL holds B.sc. Information and record management. He has expertise on information and record management. He can manage information and record from creation to disposal. He had his practical training on management of physical and electronic records at the Sokoine National Agricultural Library (SNAL) for a year. He also served as a record officer at the college of Veterinary medicine of Sokoine University of Agriculture SUA for six weeks. He has strong skills on information technology, desktop design, web design, database design, legal issue, copyright and infringement, and land records. He has been serving as a Project Coordinator overseeing Information and record management at AGEN since 1st July 2023.
Detailed Specialization and Expertise
- Research: Participatory Action Research (PAR); Social Science Research Methodology and Methods; Quantitative and Qualitative Multi-Method Research; ethnography
- Economics: Social economics, Development Economics; market economy; Agricultural economics; financial management, economic appraisal, entrepreneurship and cooperative
- Political Science: political concept skill leadership and group formation, administrative and interpersonal skill
- Technology: computer application ,information searching, and statistical application on the community
- Education: Elementary Education,and social education, extension method education and interpersonal skill communication education
Email: irigo.fahamuel@agentz.org
Semshitu Amiri Zapare
My name is Semshitu Amiri Zapare. I am a passionate community development professional with a Bachelor’s degree in the field, specializing in participatory project planning and management. I am driven by a strong commitment to inclusive development, ensuring that all members of a community have the opportunity to participate in and benefit from development initiatives. Apart from working as an academician at the Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA), I serve as Project Coordinator at AGEN overseeing participatory project planning and management at AGEN.
My core areas of interest include:
Gender equality: I believe in creating projects that empower women and address gender disparities within communities. Sustainability: I am committed to designing and implementing projects that are environmentally and socially responsible, ensuring their long-term impact. Participatory approaches: I value engaging communities in every step of the development process, from needs assessment to project implementation and evaluation. I am eager to leverage my skills and experience to contribute to positive change and build thriving communities to bring about sustainable development.
Email: semshitu.zapare@sua.ac.tz and semshitu.zapare@agentz.org