José Armando Manuel da Conceição  lhas been involved in community development work since the 1980s. He co-founded KULIMA, a Mozambican NGO established during the period of the post-independence civil war in Mozambique.  José was Director of the Zambézia branch focussing on small business management within the cooperative movement.  José’s first contribution to the work of the Zalala Foundation was as a trainer for the members of local Savings and Credit groups focussing on small business development. In 2016, following this initial collaboration, Joséwas contracted as Community Coordinator. In this capacity, he set up the two Community Associations in Idugo and Supinho. Besides his contributions as a guide and trainer in the local communities, Jose has played a major role in raising the profile of the Foundation at the district and provincial levels, in particular with the Ministries of Health, Education and Women and Girls. With his support, the  Fundação Zalala has achieved recognition as one of the leading NGOS in the province and, in 2024, was awarded a Diploma of Merit as a mark of gratitude for the Foundation’s contributions to the District of Quelimane.

Verónica is a Quelimane native. Before joining the Fundação team, she worked for KULIMA, a Mozambican NGO,  supporting microcredit and small business management.  Veronica continues to support the Credit and Savings Groups in both Supinho and Idugo. After joining the team, Veronica attended seminars in Nampula Province focussed on the mobilisation of young girls using a participatory methodology. Using this methodology, Veronica instigated the widespread mobilisation and empowerment of young girls and boys in the local communities. Under her dedicated leadership, girls and boys in the two communities have been trained as spokespersons and youth leaders. In addition to her major contribution to youth empowerment in both communities, Veronica also works closely with our Community representatives in Idugo and Supinho, as well as the local community leadership and the staff of the Maternity Centre and the community-based health promoters.

Dercio completed a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting and Auditing at the Catholic University of Mozambique in 2022. He has completed courses in computer science, business administration, marketing and client management, English language, psychosocial support, HIV and AIDS prevention. Dercio joined the Fundacao Zalala team as an assistant to the Finance Officer in early 2023 and by the end of 2023 took over as Finance Officer. Dercio reports regularly to the Finance Officer of the Fundacao Board of Trustees.

Lasmim is a youth activist and educator.  She completed her Teacher Training in Quelimane where she specialised in primary education and in adult education. She has a strong interest in the promoting the rights of children and of girls and women. She was a member of the Children’s Parliament and helped to training the members of the Girls’s Association of Zambezi (ARZ). She also collaborated with NAFEZA – the Nucleus of Girls and Women’s Organisations of Zambezia. In addition, she worked in girls empowerment, education, mentoring, collaboration, facilitation, community leadership and social mobilisation with a focus on the prevention of violence against girls and teenage pregnancy.