(full bio)

JANICE ASHBY

Founder - Eco Africa Social Ventures
In 1997 Ashby started the skills training programs which have helped hundreds of women in Zimbabwe to become paper makers and paper crafters. In 2007 EASV was incorporated in New York as a 501(c)(3) non profit to raise funds for essential quality-of-life upliftment projects to help artists and crafting artisans survive the challenges of an economy in steep decline.

ALISON ANTHOINE

Founding Board - Eco Africa Social Ventures
Alison runs a law practice in New York City. With a committed interest in Africa and in helping people there she became one of EASV’s three founding board members. Through her legal skills EASV became incorporated and subsequently registered as a 501(c)(3) non profit organization in 2007.

ANNA MORRIS

Founding Board - Eco Africa Social Ventures
Anna was born in the UK, spent many years in South Africa and now lives in New York where she had a business background before reinventing herself as a professional photographer in 2003. http://www.AnnaShoots.com. During her time in South Africa she spent many years as Executive Director of a large Non Profit organization. As an intrepid follower and supporter of Eco Africa Crafts since its inception her participation and support in the start of Eco Africa Social Ventures has been an invaluable resource of advice and encouragement.

Anonymous Angel
Many organizations making a difference in the world are enabled through the generosity of “angels” who provide seed money and other forms of support in order for the founders to pursue and continue their dreams. Eco Africa Social Ventures is no exception.

USA - ADVISORS

BOBBIE KRAUS

Advisory Fundraising - Eco Africa Social Ventures
After a lifetime of New York fundraising Bobbie’s expertise has been generously offered to EASV in an advisory capacity. Our fundraising activities are strengthened through her wise counseling.

JANICE PAGE

Advisory Financial - Eco Africa Social Ventures
As partner in her accounting practice Janice has been a willing friend and counselor on financial matters, particularly for the successful Non Profit incorporation and 501(c)(3) application process.

MICHAEL MARGOLIS

Advisor – Brand Storytelling/Social Entrepreneurship - Eco Africa Social Ventures
Michael is the President of THIRSTY-FISH , a boutique story consultancy that helps revitalize companies in the midst of transition, growth, or turnaround. Previously, Michael helped start two social enterprise nonprofits in the fields of public service and workforce development. Michael is based in New York City, with historical family ties to Zimbabwe.

NTSIKI KABANE

Volunteer - Eco Africa Social Ventures
Ntsiki Kabane-Langford is South AFrican and an educator, organizer, and longtime human rights activist who has received numerous honors for her anti-apartheid and political/social/economic justice work. She was the first organizer of the Free South Africa Movement in the New England area of Massachusetts. Her passion for justice and strengthening of civil society is legendary.

DOROTHY HOPKINS

Development Director - Eco Africa Social Ventures
With a background in public relations New Yorker Dorothy has taken the reins of development including fundraising, grant writing, public relations and recruitment of volunteers. With her tireless efforts in driving the various projects her involvement is hands on in the startup and evolution of EASV.

VOLUNTEERS - USA

HILLA BENZAKEN

Volunteer - Eco Africa Social Ventures
Hilla Benzaken is college student who spends free time helping Eco Africa in a variety of ways. She forms part of the team of young volunteers who tackle what ever it takes to help us to achieve our goals. She says; “Eco Africa is a unique organization that I’m proud to be a part of. Eco Africa works on long-term solutions to solving poverty in a country where many have given up. Eco Africa works closely with Zimbabweans to develop a comprehensive initiative that employs women in a culturally appropriate way. Years of work have been dedicated to ensure that these women receive food packages even in the toughest times. Volunteers at Eco Africa have become a family. The warm volunteer environment is unequivocal. it is a pleasure working with Eco Africa”.

BROOKE PIERCE

Volunteer - Eco Africa Social Ventures
Brooke is a freelance writer, editor, researcher, and journalist in New York City. Her interest in international issues and art led her to Eco Africa Social Ventures, and she is happy to be helping out Janice and the EASV team with everything from writing and PR to brainstorming ideas and working fundraisers.

YVONNE (Eddie) MAZARURA

Volunteer - Eco Africa Social Ventures
Born in Zimbabwe, Eddie has traveled extensively and now lives in New York City. Along with a degree in Advertising and Marketing Communications she brings with her public relations experience, graphic design expertise and a desire to help. She remembers that Zimbabwe used to be known as the jewel of southern Africa with a robust economy and where people did not have to worry about food and medical care. She now feels the suffering of those left behind and looks forward to helping in any way she can. As a crafter and as a Zimbabwean, volunteering with EASV is a perfect match.

ZIMBABWE

TRUST MARANGWANDA

Director and coordinator - Eco Africa Crafts
Trust organizes the various crafting groups - both on and off the mission campus. He has been with the programs since the inception of Eco Africa in 2003. He was born and raised in Zimbabwe and was sponsored aged 21 by Young Africa Skills Training to spend two years in India to study Human Resources and Entrepreneurial Management. These skills have held him in good stead for the many tasks he has in coordinating the crafters for Eco Africa projects.

CHRISTOPHER SAMUTI

Master Paper Maker - Eco Africa Crafts
Chris learned his trade during the early days of paper-making in Zimbabwe and his skills at his craft are exceptional. In turn he trains his team of artisans to be as meticulous as he in the ways and means to create handmade paper from the dried plant fibers and cotton waste materials that contribute to the paper-making process.

MARIA DEDZA

Purchasing and Women’s Issues - Eco Africa Crafts
Maria works with Trust to purchase or acquire the many materials required in the production of the Eco Africa product lines. Her background includes several years in administration in a paper and die-cutting organization. Maria is a compassionate person who is happy to be involved in an organization that promotes women’s empowerment and offers understanding and support for the various women’s issues that arise during the course of time and which include organizing workshops to help address these issues.

JANE PARSONS

Advisor - Spokesperson - Eco Africa Social Ventures
Jane has for many years been deeply involved with the crafting communities of Zimbabwe and runs a social venture herself as well as assisting the crafting communities with programs to promote their products in both the local market and to the world outside Zimbabwe. She is committed to the upliftment and maintenance of these communities to help them cope with the challenges they now face. Jane works with Eco Africa Social Ventures as advisor both in crafting and the projects that are in progress.

TAITI MARONDERA

Production Supervisor - Eco Africa Crafts
Taiti started as a paper crafter with Eco Africa’s crafting artisans at its mission station headquarters at its inception in 2003, In 2007 she oversaw and supervised the start of the African Paper Dolls project and trained thirty women to become expert at producing the Dolls. She was promoted to overall supervisor of the crafting group at St Alois Mission at the end of 2007 and coordinates all of the the work in production working closely with Trust and Maria.