Amy Altorfer - Focus on Matric Teacher
Volunteer

Amy Altorfer graduated from the University of Denver in 2007 with a degree in Hotel, Restaurant, & Tourism Management and a minor in Economics. After graduation, she moved to Jackson Hole, WY where she became a ski instructor. She came to South Africa to volunteer with Thanda ASP because she wanted to give kids hope for their futures. She helps with the Focus on Matric program by teaching economics, accounting, maths literacy and helps the children of the soccer program with their homework.

Sarah Brenner - Youth Education Program Coordinator
Volunteer

After receiving a B.A. in Sociology from Ithaca College in 2007, Sarah has returned to South Africa for her second time to work with the Thanda After-School Program. During the summer of 2006, Sarah volunteered in South Africa with Thanda’s first project at the Holy Cross Preschool. Since being introduced to Thanda, she has been an active fundraiser both at her home in Wayne, PA and in Ithaca, NY while attending school. In order to gain some insight and experience in teaching, Sarah volunteered at the Gesu School as a first grade teacher’s aide working with disadvantaged and vulnerable children in Philadelphia. Currently, she is working with students in grades 4-7 as a director of the Youth Education Program with Thanda After-School. Sarah arrived in South Africa for the launch of TASP in January 2008 and plans to stay until the end of its first year.

Holly Buchanan - Art Program Coordinator
Volunteer

Holly Buchanan received her BA in Art and Anthropology with a concentration in medical anthropology from Ithaca College in Ithaca, NY. While at school she volunteered at a local girls’ correctional facility teaching art as a mode of therapy and has been pursuing her interests in the area since. In addition, she has worked with health organizations such as Woodlands Wisdom in Minnesota, advocating personal and community development among Native American populations with a high prevalence of diabetes. Assisting with fundraising and jewelry sales, Holly was inspired by the efforts and goals put forth by Thanda. In January 2008 Holly joined Thanda for its launch of the After-School Program as the Visual Arts Director. Holly is enjoying a life of travels as she meets inspirational people and gains a variety of experiences. When she is not in South Africa she resides in Portland, Oregon.

Maya Casagrande - Program Director
Volunteer

Maya Casagrande graduated in 2005 with a BA from Colorado College. During the summer of 2005, she joined Thanda on their trip to South Africa. Maya was the organization's photographer and helped run the holiday camp at the Bishop Mansuett Biyase Preschool. Since then, Maya has been integral part of Thanda's development. She is co-director of Tanda Zulu jewelry and works to raise funds for the Thanda After-School Project. She is currently working in South Africa as Program Director for the Thanda After-School Project, also focusing on measuring student progress and community assistance.

Rose Cele - Youth Education Program Teacher

Rose Cele is a teacher for Thanda’s Youth Education Program. She teaches children in grades two and three, working with them to improve their learning skills. In addition to doing academic activities such as math, English, and writing, Rose runs activities that help the students with their development and socialization. Rose is originally from neighboring Mtwalume and is one of 8 children. She has a degree in computing and adminstration and hopes to one day be an accountant. Rose’s energy is contagious, both among the children and the staff!

Lyric Cox - Youth Education Program Teacher
Volunteer

Lyric Cox is currently studying psychology planning to concentrate on juvenile criminal reform through alternative education and self-empowerment. During her year in Americorps she served as an assistant English teacher at an alternative middle school in Nashua, NH. There she worked closely helping students control behavioral impulses in the classroom. She then spent time assisting a psychologist in Salem, MA with a play therapy group of children with Autism and Ausberger’s Syndrome to learn coping techniques to more comfortably interact in social situations. Lyric came to the Thanda Project to help integrate counseling techniques in to the after-school program.

Amanda Dlamini - Youth Education Program Teacher

Amanda Dlamini is 21 years old. She received her Matric certificate in 2005 from the nearby Kwa-Fica High School. Since graduating, she has spent time in Durban as a nanny. She has always loved working with youth of all ages and enjoys being a part of Thanda because she has the opportunity to teach young children. She dreams of one day working in the Children’s Ward at a hospital as a caregiver for infants.

Will Gordon - Athletic Program Coordinator
Volunteer

A native of Durham, North Carolina, Will Gordon received his BA in Sociology from Wesleyan University in 2005. Since graduating from Wesleyan, Will has played professional baseball in Lithuania, and served as the pitching coach for the Lithuanian National Team. He recently spent three months teaching English in Beijing, China. Will first traveled to Africa during his time at University when he spent six months in Cameroon studying Sustainable Development with the School for International Training. Will is excited for the opportunity to apply his experience teaching children baseball in Lithuania, teaching English in China, and studying development in Cameroon to benefit the children of the Thanda Project. Will is currently serving as a Basketball instructor at Thanda, and is working on developing a baseball program.

Hlengiwe Mthiyane - Youth Education Program Teacher

Hlengiwe Mthiyane is a teacher for Thanda’s Youth Education Program, working with students in grade 4. She has been working with children since 2003 when she volunteered at a crèche, and then spent 3 years working at a children’s home. She also participated in a women’s project last year near Durban. Through her experiences, Hlengiwe has developed an interest in social work, and is excited to explore the possibility of becoming a social worker.

Sikhulile Saresia Gumede - Basketball Program Assistant Coach

Sikhulile, although she prefers to go by "Lungelo", graduated from the local Khathi High School in 2003 and brings lots of energy to our program. She then volunteered for the Red Cross for a year doing home based care and then volunteered at the local KwaQwabe Tribal Court as a clerk. She lives at home with her parents and younger sister. She likes working in the Basketball program because she gets to encourage the students to focus on their studies and help them find ways to earn money for university. She also encourages the students to talk to her when they have problems, "If you have a problem, you need to talk to someone. Don't be quiet because it will be dangerous- students sometimes commit suicide because they have no one to talk to. Communication is very important". Lungelo wants to be a lawyer someday "because some people don't know how to speak for themselves and need legal help- I want to help these people- especially girls who have been raped but don't have money to go to court."

Jeff Howard - Youth Education Program Teacher
Volunteer

Jeff Howard graduated from the University of Denver in 2007 where he studied Human Geography and Photography. Jeff is currently involved in the Youth Education Program, where he works with Grade 5 students. He has been involved in other non-profit organizations, from teaching in rural schools in Namibia, to working for the HART organization in the Ukraine, to helping out his local Habitat for Humanity in London with his family. Jeff enjoys sharing his love for photography with the kids and hopes to leave a lasting positive influence on the Thanda children.

Reed Howard - Basketball Program Coordinator
Volunteer

Reed Howard is a student at Colorado College, majoring in Religion. He helped to rennovate the old tennis court before establishing the basketball program. As a basketball player, he has enjoyed teaching a new sport to the students at Thanda After-School. He enjoys working with children and coordinating the Youth Sports Day. He will be returning to school in September to complete his degree.

Tyler Howard - Managing Director
Volunteer

Tyler Howard graduated from Colorado College in 2005 with a degree in Comparative Literature. His work with Thanda began in 2005 when he helped to plan and implement a summer program for orphans of AIDS and other vulnerable children at Holy Cross in South Africa. He has been fundraising, researching, and designing programs for Thanda since then and helped to establish the Thanda After-School Project at this site. He is now Managing Director of Thanda After-School and helps to coordinate all the programs, staff, volunteers, and administrative duties. He will continue working in South Africa for two years as the project becomes fully established.

Lee Jones - Soccer Program Coordinator
Volunteer

Lee Jones is 35 years old, originally from Manchester England and now lives in Colorado. He works with at risk and underprivileged children in Colorado with the Youth Foundation. He is responsible for the creation and implementation of programs for approximately 500 kids per week. Lee holds a USSF C-License in coaching, a NSCAA/USFF National Youth License, NSCAA Professional Development Certificate, Grade 7 and 8 USSF Qualified Referee License, and is a qualified Colorado Referee Instructor.

Angela Larkan - Executive Director
Volunteer

Angela Larkan graduated from Wesleyan University in December 2005 with a degree from the College of Social Studies. Originally from South Africa, she witnessed the poverty experienced by many South Africans while growing up. She began researching models of care for orphans of AIDS in 2003, after which she co-founded Thembanathi to raise funds and awareness for children in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Her research led to the conclusion that the school was the best location for delivering care to vulnerable children, leading to development of the Thanda After-School model. In 2007 Angela established Thanda as a separate organization to support both Holy Cross with funding and launch the Thanda After-School Project. She moved to South Africa in 2008 to help start the Thanda After-School Project and will continue to direct the project until it can be run locally. She continues to raise funds for this project and co-direct Tanda Zulu Jewelry.

Jonathan Leland - Technology Director
Volunteer

Jonathan Leland graduated from Wesleyan University in 2005 with a BA in Psychology. He joined Thanda in the fall of 2005, and functions as the Director of Technology. He created the Thanda websites and established the Thanda After-School Project computer education course. He assembled a computer lab on the grounds of Sacred Heart Childrens Home and will launch a staff training program and an introductory computer course for community members as well.

Nokukhanya Rittah Mdabe - Youth Education Program Teacher

Nokukhanya, known to everyone as "Dudu", worked at Sacred Heart Children's Home for 10 years as a caregiver and then at two more children's homes. She has 3 children and lives with her mother and younger brother. She enjoys working at Thanda because she likes her colleagues and she likes working with children. She is particularly good at helping children that have experienced problems in their lives because she knows how to counsel them and change negative behavior. Dudu brings a lot of experience and local knowledge to the Thanda After-School Project.

Thandeka Mdabe - Art Program Assistant Teacher

Thandeka Mdabe is Thanda’s Art Program Assistant. She plays an active role in designing the curriculum for each term, working with the students individually to improve their skills, and helping with homework assistance. She is an alumn of Khathi High School herself, and so is in a good position to understand the situations of the students in the Thanda Project. Prior to coming to Thanda, Thandeka worked at a primary school. Her father moved to the city to find work and helps Thandeka support her mother and 3 younger siblings. She hopes to be a teacher or a social worker.

Simiso Mfeka - Soccer Program Coordinator

Simiso Mfeka, 30, is director of Thanda’s Soccer Program. He coaches between 30 and 150 students everyday, teaching them not only about the game of soccer, but also about teamwork and cooperation. Before joining Thanda, Simiso worked as a volunteer for 6 years in a hospital after 4 years of unemployment. Simiso’s enthusiasm and hard work are reflected in the attitudes of his students, and his constant smile has been a welcome addition to the Thanda office!

Delisile Mqadi - Feeding Program Coordinator

Delisile Mqadi is Thanda’s Feeding Program Coordinator, and is responsible for over 200 children a day. The Thanda Program is Delisile’s first job, and she is now able to support her one year old daughter, her disabled father, four sisters, and her cousin’s three orphaned children. She hopes to one day be a social worker. Delisile’s organization and responsibility have helped the program run smoothly, and she brightens everyone’s day with her radiant smile!

Hlakaniphile Mqadi - Feeding Program Coordinator

Hlakaniphile Mqadi, or Hla, is 25 years old. She lives locally at Kwa-Qwabe Tribal Authority and in 2002 she received her Matric certificate from Sibongimfundo High School. Hla continued her education at Esayidi FET College and graduated in 2004 with her N5 in business management and entrepreneurship. She has experience working with the Workforce Company and as a clerk at the local Khathi High School. She enjoys her position with the Thanda Project because it empowers her and further develops her skills of managing people. Hla plans to pursue a career in business.

Sibusiso Msimango - Focus on Matric Teacher

Sibusiso Msimango, 18, works for the Thanda Education Program, teaching physical science, mathematics and life science. He graduated first in his class from Khathi High School, Thanda’s partner school. He was the only student in his class of 81 to get matriculation exemption, a success widely recognized by fellow students and community members. Sibusiso is the only one in his family of seven that is employed and is now responsible for supporting his entire family. He hopes to go to university to become a doctor, but his concern for his family’s survival may prevent him from pursuing higher education. An exemplary recent graduate, Sibusiso serves as a role model for his students.

Sara Murphy - Youth Education Program Coordinator
Volunteer

Sara Murphy is a student at Colorado College, majoring in Biology.She helped to establish the Youth Education Program and now teaches the Grade R and 1 students from Umsinsini Primary School. She also coordinates the Youth Sports Day on Fridays. She will return to the United States in July to complete her degree and hopes to go to medical school.

Philani Victor Mzizi - Soccer Program Assistant Coach

Philani graduated from the local Khathi High School in 2004. He then volunteered with his brother in Durban, setting up a community soccer team until his brother sadly passed away. He lives with his mother, younger sister, and niece at home and says he would like to work for Thanda forever! He likes Thanda After-School because he likes the staff and working with people in the community. He also talks to the students about other issues, like what they want to be in the future. He says many of the children see themselves as soccer stars in 2010! Philani believes that soccer is important in this community "because it helps young people not to do bad things so they end up in jail".

Xolani Ngubane - Focus on Matric Teacher

Xolani Ngubane, 22, is originally from Durban and is a graduate of the Sacred Heart Children’s Home. Upon matriculating in 2006, Xolani spent a year teaching English and Geography at Sizanayo High School. He now works for the Thanda Education Program teaching students Geography, Business Economics, and English to help them improve in school and prepare them for their matriculation exam, necessary to graduate High School. His motivation and passion for teaching and learning are clear, and serve as a great example for his students.

Viktorija Simaityte - Netball Program Coordinator
Volunteer

Viktorija Simaityte is 23 years old and is from Kaunas, Lithuania. She received her BA in 2007 from Kaunas Medicine College with a degree in Kinesiotherapy/Physical Therapy. During college she did practical work as a specialist in several health clinics and rehabilitation centers, working particularly with accident victims, special needs children, and the elderly. She has a passion for helping people and working with children, and particularly enjoys rehabilitative care with children. Throughout high school and college, Viktorija was active in school sports. She has six years of experience playing volleyball. As a part of the Thanda After-School Project Viktorija will be working alongside Nosipho to facilitate the Netball Program. She will work specifically on the physical training aspects of the Netball sessions, and on developing English lessons to enhance study sessions.

Delisile Sithole - Community Assistance Coordinator

Delisile Sithole is Thanda’s community assistance coordinator. She does needs assessment with the children in the Thanda program, visiting their families to determine their home situations. She also educates the families on disease, sanitation, and government grants. Delisile worked as a volunteer with the Red Cross for three years, and then was made the Red Cross HIV/AIDS Facilitator in 2000, where she stayed until coming to Thanda in 2008. Delisile is the only one working in a household of 10, so she supports the family that adopted her at the age of 3, as well as her two daughters. Her commitment to assisting children from the community and their families has been instrumental in implementing Thanda’s vision for community assistance. Her knowledge and level of professionalism has been invaluable to Thanda!

Nosipho Sithole - Netball Program Coordinator

Nosipho Sithole is the head of Thanda’s Netball Programme, and very excited about it! She has been raised by her grandmother since the age of 8, and is now supporting her and her disabled uncle. She hopes one day to go to school to become a mechanical engineer. Nosipho is responsible for the creation of the Thanda Netball Programme, which came about because of her dedication, enthusiasm, and love for the students and for the game. Nosipho has formed a noticeable bond with her students and uses this relationship as a platform from which to reach the girls in her programme on more personal levels. She regularly speaks to them about the issues and challenges that face them, encouraging open dialogue.

Zeb Zankel - Education Program Coordinator
Volunteer

Zeb Zankel graduated from Wesleyan University in 2005. He recently finished his masters degree in After-school Education and a job with Citizens Schools in Boston (an after-school program for kids in the city). He is traveing to South Africa in January to help run the Thanda After-School Project, focusing on program design and community outreach.