Mentees

Intake 3 Mentees 2024

B. E. Sauda

B. E. Sauda is from Ghana and has a Masters Integrated (Coursework & Research) degree.

B. E. Sauda is driven to assist with the eradication of human suffering and to carry on the empowering traditions of her ancestors. As a seasoned professional, she has over 20 years of experience assisting at-risk populations. She has lived in a variety of places and has adapted to each environment while striving for continual personal growth. She is an advocate for wellness, servant leadership, rural development, and youth empowerment. She is appalled by the continued oppression of girls and women; indigenous groups, the disabled, and other at-risk persons faces on a global scale. Working in underprivileged environments has allowed her to develop culturally sensitive work skills while using a lifelong learning approach. She hopes this opportunity allows her to engage in formal social work research which is focused on African-centered social work practise.

My research Interests are African-centred social work practise, gender studies, positive youth development, family dynamics, global social inequality, community development, and vulnerable and at-risk population service delivery.

Chika Ikeorji, Nigeria

Chika Ikeorji is a Nigerian Social Work educator, a PhD student at the University of Calgary and a Research Assistant at the McEwan University, Alberta Canada. She obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from the University of Calabar in 2015; a Master’s degree in Gerontology from the University of Southampton, UK from a Commonwealth Scholarship in 2019 and a Master’s degree in Medical Social Work from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka in 2022. She was employed at the University of Calabar in 2017 and with seven years of experience she uses a teaching philosophy of empathy and relational pedagogy to impact valuable knowledge to students.  Her research interests include gerontology, youth work, mental health, and women development. Chika is the National Project Coordinator for PECi, a Non-Governmental Organization that provides care, training and support to older adults and their caregivers. She is passionate about research, academic writing and bringing hope to vulnerable individuals. She has volunteered in various events and functions to show her commitment towards restoring dignity and equity during service. Chika started her research role with little knowledge on the basics and hope to improve through mentorship. As a critical thinker and a great communicator, Chika believes that if she cannot reach people to help and support them, through her writings she can make an impact.

Abdulkerime Mohammed – Ethiopia

Abdulkerime Mohammed, Lecturer, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia. Dynamic and knowledgeable professional with extensive experience teaching a variety of undergraduate and graduate courses, conducting and presenting researches, and implementing community service projects. Skilled in developing engaging lesson plans that challenge students and promote critical thinking. Proven ability to create and implement innovative teaching methods to enhance the
student learning experience.

Intake 2 Mentees 2022-2023

Danzel Rademan – South Africa

Danzel is a newly-minted social work graduate from the University of the Free State (UFS), Bloemfontein, South Africa. As a student social worker, Danzel was involved in several student and community-outreach organisations such as enke: Make Your Mark, UFS Health and Wellness Peer Educator, Umoja Ambassador, and Student Volunteer: International Association for Social Work with Groups Conference. In addition to this, Danzel is an experienced Academic Facilitator/Tutor in the Faculty of the Humanities where he taught English Academic Literacy and Psychology to undergraduate students at UFS, Bloemfontein Campus. Currently, Danzel serves as the Chairperson of the Social Work and Development Conference where he participates in collaborative networking with social work students and scholars from the African continent to plan and organise the conference by designing material, make a call for presenters, invite guest speakers, review abstracts, moderate and chair sessions. During this conference, Danzel delivered a presentation titled “Personal Experiences of a Fourth-Year Social Work Student: Insights into South African Social Work Education and Professional Development.” Danzel aspires to become an accomplished scholar in the field of social work with a keen research interest in Employee Wellness, Mental Health, and Community Development.

Ashely Ropafadzo Tome, Zimbabwe

Ashely Ropafadzo Tome is Zimbabwean social worker who is passionate about research, writing and working with Persons with Disabilities. She has a BSc in Social Work Honors Degree with the University of Zimbabwe and is currently studying for an Master of Social Work program with the same University. Ashely is registered with the National Association of Social Workers in Zimbabwe. She has two published works and these include a novel of fiction entitled Knell. Ashes. Seppuku which was published in Cameroon and an article called A Beautiful Silence in Danger which was published by Medicus Mundi, a Swiss Journal. Ashely was once a Programs Officer for Miss Deaf Pride Zimbabwe Trust an NGO which focuses on empowering and advocating for the rights of Deaf young women and girls. This shows another of her passions for gender activism as she is also a Director for Wakanaka Trust an NGO which works with young women and girls in sex work but want to quit the practice. The organization offers them rehabilitation services and helps them adopt decent ways with which they can generate income. The motto  for the organization is fighting the cocoon to realize full potential. Ashely has a deep passion for social work as she believes that her profession can help her get in contact with many marginalized groups and transform their lives.

Edward Muzondo, Zimbabwe

Muzondo Edward – is a Zimbabwean, registered social worker who holds a Bachelor of Social Work Honours degree (2017) and a Master of Social Work (2019) both from the University of Zimbabwe. He is currently serving as a Lecturer in the Department of Social Work, University of Zimbabwe where he is also pursuing his PhD studies. Edward is also a visiting Clinical Social Worker at Haval Children’s Home in Harare. His research interests lie in occupational social work, clinical social work, social work and disability and mental health. He has extensive knowledge of psychosocial support and crisis intervention when working with client groups with special needs.

Intake 1 Mentees – 2021

Oluwagbemiga Oyinlola, Nigeria

Oluwagbemiga is a Nigerian Medical Social Worker, passionate about care and support for disadvantaged and vulnerable group, he has special interest in mental health services across age group, psycho-social support services, social interventions in the management of chronic health condition, electronic social case management. He became registered as a Medical Social Worker in Nigeria in 2010. Currently, a Principal Medical Social Worker at the University College Hospital, Ibadan and pro bono Director of Programs of the Mandate Health Empowerment Initiative (MHEI) (a not-for-profit making organisation) and also Director of Social Services, ASIDO Foundation.  He is an Alumnus of the WHO training on Mental Health Leadership and Advocacy Program (MhLAP). He was elected in 2016 as the Board member of the Human Services Technology Association (HusITa) (Texas, USA).  He was also elected as the National Assistant General Secretary of the Association of Medical Social Workers of Nigeria (AMSWON).  He is the founder and Steering Chair of Social Work Technology in Africa (SoWTechA).  He was awarded the 2018 Commonwealth Fellowship to study Global Ageing and Policy at the University Of Southampton, UK.

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G. Nokukhanya Ndhlovu (Khanya), South Africa

Dr. G. Nokukhanya Ndhlovu (Khanya) – “I hold a PhD (2020) in Social Work from the University of Fort Hare, a Masters (2011) and Honours (2009) degree in Social Development from the University of Cape Town. I also hold a B.A. Honours (2005) in English and Communication from the Midlands State University. I have worked in the NGO, NPO and private sector mainly focusing on improving the lives of the vulnerable, hard to reach and socially excluded communities. I am passionate about social justice which has shaped my research interests to include exclusionary development, structural violence, institutional systems, gender and people centred development. I have a background in journalism, which I use alongside my research skills to create knowledge on pertinent development issues, raise awareness and tell high impact stories to ensure more Africans lead better lives. As a creative thinker, I have been able to come up with ideas for manuscripts, abstracts, news stories, newsletters and press releases.”

Tanatswa Silvanus Chineka, Zimbabwe

Tanatswa Silvanus Chineka is a qualified social worker registered with the Council of Social Workers and affiliated with the National Association of Social Workers. He holds a Bachelor of Social Work Honour Degree and a MSc in Social Work from the University of Zimbabwe, where he is currently pursuing doctoral studies. His practice experience spans five years in both government and civil society organisations undertaking various roles focused on development work and policy practice. He teaches social work for undergraduate and postgraduate classes. His research interests lie in the areas of economics, social protection, community development, mental health and child protection. Tanatswa has a deep-seated passion for transforming the lives of communities-at-risk and the development of the social work profession. He values dedication to duty, integrity, human worth and social justice.