Country Leadership Teams
Kenya
Shaylor Mwanje
Shaylor, the current RELI Kenya Country Co-Lead, is a corporate communications and media professional with 9 years of experience in media relations, strategic communications, website content creation and management, graphics design, writing for press, editorial, event planning, social media management, and project management. Shaylor is currently working as a Communications and Information Officer at GESCI.
She has previously worked with Standard Media Group, UNESCO Regional Office for Eastern Africa, and Optiven Group bringing on board vast national and international experience in communications for development.
With a keen impact in sharing knowledge and impact, she comes up with effective ways to share feedback from programme beneficiaries by compiling news articles, videos, audio materials, and photos that tell the story of those we support through our education interventions.
She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Media Science from Moi University and a Professional Development Certificate in building strong alumni networks from Vaave Career Centre, India which has provided a strong understanding and foundation in performing my duties.
Shaylor Mwanje
Country Co-Lead, RELI Kenya
Winny Cherotich
Winny Cherotich is the Action Manager, The People’s Action for Learning (PAL) Network, and is responsible for supporting growth and ensuring the smooth functioning of the PAL Network, as well as coordinating the implementation of interventions to help children acquire foundational literacy and numeracy skills. Winny previously worked with Twaweza East Africa as a Program Officer in Uwezo Kenya. Winny’s interest is in helping children learn and enjoys seeing them smile. Winny has experience in conducting citizen-led assessments as well as interventions to help children accelerate the acquisition of foundational literacy and numeracy skills. Winny holds a bachelor’s degree in special Needs education from Kenyatta University and is currently pursuing a master’s in education management at the same institution.
Winny Cherotich
Thematic Group Co-Lead, Learner-Centred Teaching
Alice Wanjiru Ngahu
Alice Wanjiru Ngahu is a dynamic professional with a Bachelor of Commerce degree, majoring in Finance, from Egerton University. Committed to continuous learning, Alice has augmented her academic background with certificates and badges from McKinsey Academy and Philanthropy University, specializing in Youth Leadership and Program Management. Presently, she is furthering her leadership acumen through the Collective Rising Leadership Program.
Over the past 6 years, Alice has cultivated a diverse skill set through roles in Finance, Administration, Training and coordination, and Program Management within the social enterprises (clean energy) and Education sectors. Her current role as Projects Lead at EducAfrica Foundation showcases her dedication to promoting access to quality education and life skills in informal settlement schools. Additionally, Alice actively contributes to the organization’s strategic growth, fostering partnerships, and collaboration initiatives.
In philanthropy, Alice volunteers her time with the Maisha Foundation, where she empowers teenage mothers with basic financial literacy skills. Furthermore, she collaborates with the Embassy of Chile in Kenya to advance literacy through the distribution of poetry books. Notably, Alice assumes the position of Values and Life Skills Thematic Co-Lead under RELI Africa, demonstrating her commitment to shaping ethical education practices.
With a keen focus on girls’ empowerment and mental health, Alice Wanjiru Ngahu is a forward-thinking professional making significant contributions to the fields of education and social impact.
Alice Wanjiru Ngahu
Thematic Group Co-Lead, Values and Life Skills Thematic group
Madina Mohamed
Madina Mohamed is an accomplished and dedicated professional specializing in Gender Development, Governance, and Human Rights, showcasing an unwavering commitment to fostering social and gender justice. With a dynamic background and a wealth of experience, Madina emerges as a passionate advocate, particularly focused on quality and inclusive education and eradicating gender-based violence, especially against vulnerable and marginalized girls and young women.
Having honed her skills over a career spanning six years in the challenging environment of Kibra informal settlement, Madina brings a unique perspective and practical understanding of the issues faced by the community. Her work in implementing gender transformative programmes underscores not only her expertise but also her genuine dedication to creating positive and lasting change.
Prior to her role at the East African Centre for Human Rights, Madina served as a Programmes Officer at the Centre for Community Development and Human Rights, where she spearheaded initiatives in Human Rights, Governance, and Peace and Cohesion. Her impactful contributions were not confined to the organisation, as she actively collaborated with Members of Parliament through the Kenya Parliamentary Caucus on Human Rights, managing crucial CSO-Caucus linkages and handling administrative responsibilities at the Caucus.
Madina’s commitment to driving social change extends beyond her immediate focus, as evidenced by her active involvement with the Parliamentary Caucus on Sustainable Development Goals (SDG Caucus). Her multifaceted experience encompasses not only advocacy but also substantial expertise in programme administration and finance, acquired during her tenure at the Kenya Commercial Bank, where she dedicated more than a decade of service.
Presently, Madina holds a distinguished position on the Board of Directors at Uweza Foundation, who empower children and youth in Kibra to pursue a path to a better future through the discovery and development of their talents and abilities. Additionally, she sits on the Board of Edmund Rice Centre Nairobi, who focus on children living with disabilities to cater for their unique needs through basic learning skills, therapeutic services, and vocational training skills in the informal settlements.
Madina currently represents EACHRights as the Kenya Equity and Inclusion Thematic co-lead at the Regional Education Learning Initiative (RELI) Africa network which is a member-driven initiative working to ensure inclusive learning for all children in East Africa comprising 70+ East African organisations. The network brings together a diverse, energetic, and impactful group of members from across East Africa.
In Madina Mohamed, with a Bachelor of Commerce Degree from the University of Nairobi, the realm of Equitable & Inclusive Education, Gender Development, Governance, and Human Rights finds a luminary whose passion, expertise, and diverse experience converge to create a force for positive transformation. Her journey reflects a deep-seated belief in the power of advocacy and programme implementation to shape a more just and equitable society.
Madina Mohamed
Thematic Group Co-Lead, Equity and Inclusion Thematic group
Samwel Mwayi
Samwel holds a degree in Community Development from Egerton University and an MA in Gender and Development from UoN and is presently pursuing an MA in Project Planning and Management from UoN. Samwel has certificates in Gender, Poverty, and Development and Participatory Rural Appraisal (from Egerton University
Samwel has over 10 years of experience in implementing programs mostly in Kenya’s slums and pastoralist areas. He has served as the Head of Programs at PACEMAKER International in charge of the organization’s programs in Nairobi and Kisumu’s informal settlements. Samwel has also been the Gender Programs Manager at SHOFCO, tasked with overseeing the organization’s GBV prevention and response strategies across the major informal urban settlements in Nairobi, Kisumu, and Mombasa.
As the lead consultant at Scofield Associates, Samwel led several programs including the US State Government Funded “Community Together Initiative I &II.” His role was to design interventions that used poverty prevention including the promotion of urban farming as a strategy to Preventing Violent Extremism in the urban slums of Nairobi. He was also the lead consultant in developing a violent extremism index, funded by NIWETU currently under review for adoption.
Samwel has also been a lead or co-consultant in Life and Peace Institute, DANIDA, and Women Elect-funded projects in Kenya and East Africa. He presently works at Grassroots Nest for Innovations and Change (GRiC) where he leads MEL and supports PE&E programs in East Africa.
Samwel Mwayi
Thematic Group Co-Lead, Learner-Centred Teaching Thematic groupTanzania
Greyson Mgoi
Greyson Mgoi is an Engagement, Advocacy and Communication Lead for Uwezo Tanzania NGO. He holds a Bachelor degree in Journalism from Iringa University in Tanzania. Since 2017 he was working at Twaweza East Africa as Program Officer-Communication. Along with that, Greyson has worked as a tutor in various Journalism Colleges in Tanzania including Times School of Journalism (TSJ).
Greyson’s expertise is in communications for social change, strategic communications, children education, child protection & safeguarding policy development, social science research including citizen led data generation on learning assessment, journalism and media relations, news writing and editing, public relations, blogs and feature writing, social media, policy advocacy & engagement, community engagement for action, training facilitation, meeting & workshop moderation.
In addition to having extensive experience in communications activities, he has over 9 years working experience with national and international NGOs since 2010 to date, including Daraja Development Limited (national NGO based in Southern Highlands of Tanzania), Twaweza East Africa, and now at Uwezo Tanzania. His Engagement and Advocacy initiatives at Twaweza and in Uwezo Tanzania have contributed greatly to influence education policy and curriculum reforms to prioritize the teaching of foundational literacy and numeracy skills to improve learning outcomes for children in Tanzania.
Moreover, Greyson is a writer and content creator, he has produced a number of articles in Education that were published in Newspapers and blog posts, produced children stories booklets at Uwezo Tanzania, research report (student) at IUCo as well as reviewing and editing research reports at Twaweza and Uwezo. Also, he has worked as Newspaper Editor in Tanzania.
Greyson is fluent in English and Swahili and he has enormous experience in translation of publications from English to Kiswahili. Along with that, Greyson has vast experiences in designing & producing newsletters in various ways including mailchimp Newsletters and also, he has good experience for social media especially twitter, kindly follow @mgoi_grey.Dar es Salaam (2019 to 2022), Board member of School of Spatial Planning and Social Science-Ardhi University (2020 to date). He currently works at HakiElimu as the Head of Programs and in the Regional Education Learning Initiative, Godfrey is the thematic group lead in the accountability cluster.
Greyson Mgoi
Thematic Group Co-Lead, Teacher Development Support
Digna Mushi
Digna Mushi is the Education Programme Manager at Organization for Community Development (OCODE) in Dar es Salam Tanzania. Digna is a community development social worker, devoted to work with children, women, and smallholder farmers both in rural and urban areas in addressing various social problems and come up with implementable innovations. Dedicated to work with community and likeminded organization for collectively addressing social issues that affect majority or minority of the community. Committed to work with rural farmers to address barriers to inputs, markets, and price for agriculture products. Committed to support marginalized children in realization of their rights to education and other rights. Knowledgeable in Human Right Based Approach, Policy Research, Programme design, monitoring learning and evaluation, participatory methodologies, community mobilization and organization, organizational capacity assessment for partnership selection. Skilled in Management, Programme and financial management, teamwork, and work under pressure with minimum supervision.
Digna holds a Diploma in Education, from Morogoro Teachers College, degree in Sociology from University of Dar res Salaam and master’s degree in development studies from University of Dodoma. She currently works at OCODE as the Education Program Manager overseeing the delivery of projects related to building capacity of teachers where she led the adoption of Teaching at the Right Level to selected schools in Dar es Salaam and strengthening capacity of teachers to use the TaRL approach to support learning to the children furthest behind to achieve learning outcomes.
In RELI Tanzania Digna is the co-lead in the accountability cluster that brings together five organisations to champion the accountability of duty bearers in the education sector from the policy formation level to implementation at community level.
Digna Mushi
Accountability Co-Lead
Benedicta Mrema
Benedicta Mrema is a Program Officer in the Department of Media Engagement and Advocacy at HakiElimu -Tanzania. She is Media and Communication personnel with 14 years working experience in media houses and NGOs in Tanzania. She holds a B.A Degree in Public Relations and Advertising and master’s degree in mass communication both from The University of Dar es Salaam.
Benedicta’s experiences are anchored on Media and Communication, Public Relations, TV and Radio program preparation and presentation, Documentary V/O narration, media negotiations and buying, events organizing and facilitation as well as public speaking. At HakiElimu Benedicta worked with RELI Tanzania as Assistant Program Officer responsible for coordinating and supporting RELI Tanzania learning activities.
In her current role as a program officer at HakiElimu, she is responsible for coordinating and facilitating major media survey on the implementation of re-entry guideline in Tanzania, organizing and facilitating media engagement including press conferences, coordinating Good School Kit Project in Masasi District, organizing and facilitating production of short video clips on education issues for HakiElimu YouTube channel, organizing and supporting HakiElimu to participate in various National and international education events and exhibitions.
In Tanzania RELI leadership team Benedicta is a co-lead in VaLi thematic group where she helps to bring members together in the implementation of thematic group plans.
Benedicta Mrema
Thematic Group Co-Lead, Values and Life-Skills
Deogratius Francis Makoti
Deogratius is a Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Officer (MEL Officer) and Uraia Wetu Project coordinator at MTWANGONET. In the RELI Tanzania leadership Deo is co-lead in the Equity and Inclusive Education (EIE) thematic group. He is employed by Mtwara Non-Governmental Organization Network (MTWANGONET) based in Mtwara, Tanzania as MEL Officer.
Deo is a medical professional specialized in medical radiation therapy and previously in 2008 he worked as a clinical officer in the government hospital in Mtwara but his passion to work in the education sector has moved him to focus on the development field. He has attended several project management and leadership skills trainings and succeeded to coordinate and implement several projects in civil society sector in Tanzania. Deo was the co-founder and first executive director of Volunteer for youth in health and development (VOYOHEDE) and Mtwara Nongovernmental Organization Network (MTWANGONET) and succeeded to register the network and implemented several advocacy projects with GIZ, AMREF, STARTOIL, WAJIBU Institute, RELI, HakiElimu and Foundation for Civil Society in Tanzania. For over 15 years he has been an activist specialized in Primary and Secondary school advocacy projects, he first attended Public Expenditure Tracking System (PETS) and Social Accountability Monitoring (SAM) trainings in Education sector organized by TACOSEDE in 2009. He then attended short course trainings in Education at Mwl Nyerere and Muhimbili University organized by Tanzania Youth Coalition (TYC) in Dar es Salaam and implemented several projects in Education sector implemented by VOYOHEDE, GIZ and MTWANGONET in Dar-es-salaam and Mtwara regions.
He is currently the MTWANGONET focal person in Equity and Inclusion thematic group in RELI and MEL officer responsible for program or project Monitoring and evaluation. He is also a capacity building officer and Education sector policy analyst of MTWANGONET. These roles are contributing into RELI’s strategies by sharing education policy implementation status, success, and challenges at local level for higher position advocacy especially for Equity and Inclusive Education in Tanzania.
Deogratius Francis Makoti
Thematic group Co-Lead, Equity and Inclusion thematic Group
Faraja Kotta Nyalandu
Faraja is a resourceful social entrepreneur passionate about developing innovative social and educational programs that support young people and women’s development. With over 20 years’ experience in developing partnerships with public and private sectors, mobilizing communities and leading strategic advocacy. In 2013, she established Shule Direct, an award winning not for profit social enterprise providing comprehensive digital educational platforms offering national curriculum-based learning content to millions in and out of school youth. Faraja has also co-founded Ndoto Hub, Tanzania’s first start up innovation hub exclusively for women entrepreneurs.
She is the current elected Chairperson for the Tanzania Education Network, the official national education CSOs network. She is also the elected representative for Africa in the Global Campaign for Education (GCE) Board. Faraja leads teachers’ development and support cluster for the East Africa’s Regional Educational Learning Initiative (RELI), Tanzania chapter.
Recognized globally, World Economic Forum nominated her as a Young Global Leader Class of 2020, tenure for 5 years. In 2022, she was appointed to serve on the Young Global Leaders Advisory Board. She has been awarded the Leading Woman in Technology in Africa award for her work with Shule Direct, Tanzania Leadership Awards’ Hall of Fame Woman of the Year and a System Innovator for systemic change in digital learning in Secondary School education in Tanzania. Africa Youth Awards has consecutively named Faraja among 100 Most Influential Young Africans.
In 2022, the President of Tanzania appointed Faraja to serve on the End Malaria Council for three years.
Faraja is a qualified Lawyer with a Bachelor of Laws LLB. and Master of Laws LLM. In Human Rights and Migration.
Faraja Kotta Nyalandu
Thematic Group Co-Lead, Teacher Development Support
Godfrey Boniventura
Godfrey is a holder of B.A. and M.A. Economics from the University of Dar es Salaam. He has over 18 years of experience in Programme Development and Implementation, Policy Analysis and Advocacy, Partnership Management and Organizational Development, as well as 13 years of experience in senior management.
He has served as Convener of the Budget Working Group Tanzania, hosted by the Policy Forum to advance policy and budget advocacy in Tanzania (2012-2017), as Country Lead of Regional Education Learning Initiative (2018-2020), Chairman of the Board of Trustee of Center of Behavioural Studies-University of Dar es Salaam (2019 to 2022), Board member of School of Spatial Planning and Social Science-Ardhi University (2020 to date). He currently works at HakiElimu as the Head of Programs and in the Regional Education Learning Initiative, Godfrey is the thematic group lead in the accountability cluster.
Godfrey Boniventura
Accountability Co-Lead
Samson Sitta
As a project management specialist, researcher, evaluator, design thinker and learning facilitator; Samson has over 7 years’ experience working for both government and NGO sector in Tanzania mainland and Zanzibar. He has managed several transformative education programs for local NGOs such as CBEI – Community Based Education Intervention in Dar es Salaam. In 2018 he led a study on covid 19 impact on learners during school closures in Ngorongoro and Longido districts, Arusha which let into design of a Rapid Learning Approach (RLA), an innovative approach to assist the left behind learners. RLA is currently being tested in Ngorongoro district – Arusha.
Samson is a national advisory committee member for Schools2030 Project in Tanzania and a trainer on Human Centered Design in Tanzania mainland and Zanzibar. Sitta is part of the team that is pioneering contextualized assessment of life skills and values in East Africa under the novel ALiVE Project. He currently works with Milele Zanzibar Foundation (MZF) based in Zanzibar as the Coordinator for ALiVE Project.
In the RELI Tanzania leadership, Sitta leads the Values and Life Skills thematic group.
Samson Sitta
Thematic group lead, Values and Life SkillsUganda
John Mary Vianney Mitana, PhD
John is the Founder and Executive Director of JM Education and Research Centre (JMERC), Kampala –Uganda. Prior to founding JMERC, John was the Principal at Luigi Giussani Institute of Higher Education (LGIHE) since its formal recognition as an institution of higher learning from 2014 to December 2021. John is an adaptive leader and an ardent lover of continuous professional learning and improvement, particularly for teachers and school leaders. He has research in educational leadership, gender in education, teacher education and professionalism, contextualization and decolonization of education in Africa, and assessment and development of social and emotional skills. John holds a Ph.D. in Education (Makerere University), an M.A. in Education Leadership (Walsh University), and a B.A in Education (Makerere University).
He was elected as a Co-Lead for RELI-Uganda in November 2023. As a researcher, he envisions strengthening RELI’s role in contributing to evidence for policy dialogue and advocacy. As a professional teacher, he also has a keen interest in developing teacher capacity for quality teaching and learning so that every child in Uganda can learn, achieve, and thrive.
John Mary Vianney Mitana, PhD
Country Co-Lead
Akongo Rose Stella
Akongo Rose Stella is the current Principal of the Luigi Giussani Institute of Higher Education (LGIHE), a research and training Institution in Kampala, Uganda. Stella has a rich background and experience in designing and managing research and development projects in education, livelihood, and positive youth development across varied contexts. Prior to joining Luigi, Stella was a lecturer at Africa Renewal University (2017-2020) and a program manager for an integrated child and youth development program (2008-2016) that modeled Positive Youth Development programming in design and implementation. Since August 2022, Stella has devoted a part of her time to the RELI Initiative, Actions for Life Skills and Values in East Africa (ALIVE) where she currently serves as the Regional Learning Manager.
Akongo Rose Stella
Thematic Group Co-Lead, Values and Life Skills
Jane Nantayi Sebuyungo
Jane Nantayi Sebuyungo currently serves as the Co-Lead Teacher Development and Support at RELI in Uganda. She is the Associate Head of Design and Programme Readiness at STIR Education based in Uganda which partners with governments to create a world where teachers love teaching and children love learning.
Jane is a passionate educator, trainer, and gender specialist with a wealth of experience. Her expertise encompasses codesigning programs with governments and partners, curriculum design, and innovations, grounded in a deep understanding of teaching and learning pedagogy and gender-responsive approaches. She excels in incorporating principles of intrinsic motivation into educational systems and leveraging edtech for teacher professional development.
In her multifaceted career, Jane has demonstrated proficiency in project management, programme design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, gender and inclusion initiatives radio and blended teacher development, girls’ education advocacy, mentoring, leadership, and youth skills training. Her roles have included serving as a program coordinator, Regional Program Officer, Senior Programme coordinator, school academic and career guidance teacher, and as a dedicated classroom teacher. Jane is adept at coaching and mentoring, facilitating workshops, and influencing and training of trainers. Jane holds a Masters in Gender Studies and a BA in Education, Literature, and English Language from Makerere University and is an Unlock Impact Fellow. Currently pursuing a Master’s in Curriculum Studies at Makerere University, she continues to deepen her knowledge and skills in the field.
In her current capacity, Jane plays a pivotal role in the Co-Lead Teacher Development and Support at RELI. She also spearheads the Associate Head of Design and Programme Readiness role at STIR Education, contributing significantly to the organization’s objective of creating an environment where both teachers and students thrive.
Jane is more than an accomplished professional; she is a collaborative leader, sharing learnings, an inspirational speaker, a motivator, and a coach with entrepreneurial skills. Passionate about collaborative efforts, she seeks to strengthen education systems, ensuring intrinsic motivation is at the core. Her commitment extends to supporting girls’ education and marginalized learners, creating an inclusive and intentional learning environment for all.
In summary, Jane Nantayi Sebuyungo stands as a dynamic educationist and collaborative leader, dedicated to transforming education systems for the better. Her multifaceted skills, coupled with her passion for intrinsic motivation and inclusive learning, make her a valuable asset in the pursuit of quality education for all.
Jane Nantayi Sebuyungo
Thematic Group Co-Lead, Teacher Development Support
James Ogwang
James has a background and experience in community development with a bias towards education and skills development. Areas of expertise, spanning over 20 years, include teacher training, community-led Education, Agriculture, and Youth economic empowerment programs.
He holds a Master of Institutional Management and Leadership from Uganda Management Institute, a Postgraduate Certificate in Integrated Rural Planning and Development, and a bachelor’s degree in social sciences from Makerere University Kampala.
James is the co-lead of the Teacher Development and Support thematic cluster in RELI. In his current role as Education Advisor in VVOB, he aids co-creation of a blended Continuous Professional Development (CPD) course for in-service secondary school leaders and school teachers in Uganda with National Teachers Colleges of Mubende and Unyama.
He contributes to learning, evidence generation, and collaborations with other RELI member organizations and colleagues including Policy advocacy regarding the institutionalization of the CPD framework in line with the National Teacher Policy (2019) and the Teacher Bill (Act when enacted).
James Ogwang
Co-lead Teacher Development and Support Cluster, RELI Uganda
Grace Musiimire
Grace Musiimire serves as the Fellows Program Manager, building off her previous portfolios as Inclusive Education Program Manager and as a Regional Fellows Coordinator. After completing a Bachelor of Records and Archives Management at Makerere University and earning several certificates in Social Entrepreneurship, Leadership, and Creative Participation. She also holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Project Planning and Management from Uganda Management Institute. Grace joined Building Tomorrow in 2017 as a Fellow in the third cohort of the Building Tomorrow Fellowship Program. At Reli, Grace serves as the equity and inclusion cluster co-lead. She works closely with the different member organisations to collaborate and co-create efforts that ensure inclusive learning for all children.