Meet The Team
Victor Slickie Masanda |
Chairperson of the Board of Trustees
Victor’s journey to leading the Art of Hope Board of Trustees is anchored in a profound dedication to human dignity, psychosocial well-being, and social justice. I was inspired by Art for Hope’s vision of holistic healing and grassroots empowerment, Victor chose to align his extensive professional expertise with the organization's mission to uplift displaced and marginalized populations.
Holding a Degree in Social Work with a minor in Anthropology from the Catholic University of Malawi, Victor brings over a decade of hands-on experience in social welfare, psychosocial counseling, early childhood development, and community-based protection. As Chairperson, he combines his rich background in advocacy and case management with an unwavering commitment to emotional resilience, ensuring that Art for Hope provides vital structural leadership and lasting support for those who need it most.
- Phone:+265 888 09 04 13
- Email:masandavictor@gmail.com
Daniel Max
Training facult & Fundraiser-USA
Daniel’s journey with yoga began in his teenage years in India and has since become a lifelong practice of service. A co-founder of JP Centre Yoga in Boston, he is a certified yoga teacher (since 2005), shiatsu practitioner, and holistic health counselor.
His teaching is rooted in the Iyengar and Vinyasa traditions, with a deep reverence for yoga’s South Asian heritage. For Art for Hope, Daniel channels this experience into training faculty and supporting fundraising. He is dedicated to sharing alignment-based practices that cultivate body-mind awareness and nervous system rehabilitation, helping to create sustainable, inclusive healing spaces for the refugee community in Dzaleka.
- Email:daniel@jpcentreyoga.com
Glory Chisomo Malunda
Trustee, Malawi
Glory’s commitment to Art for Hope is driven by a deep, unwavering passion for sustainable development, grassroots empowerment, and creating tangible pathways of opportunity for vulnerable communities. Inspired by the organization’s mission to foster holistic growth and self-reliance, Glory chose to dedicate her expertise to advancing its transformative vision.
Holding a Bachelor of Arts in Sustainable Development alongside specialized training in digital literacy, Glory brings a powerful blend of environmental advocacy, digital inclusion, and operational agility. Her background includes impactful community initiatives such as mentoring girls in digital skills and collaborating on environmental and recycling projects paired with hands-on entrepreneurial experience. As a trustee, Glory leverages her multifaceted expertise in resource mobilization, strategic planning, and community development to help anchor and expand Art for Hope’s long-term impact.
- Phone:+265996391737
- Email:glorymalunda@gmail.com
Rosset Bornwell
Trustee
Rosset’s dedication to the Art of Hope Board of Trustees is fueled by a profound, lifelong passion for human well-being, mental health awareness, and community empowerment. Currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Sustainable Development, Bornwell is deeply committed to driving positive social impact through active community engagement and compassionate support. Her unwavering focus on fostering supportive, nurturing environments for mental health aligns seamlessly with Art of Hope's mission of holistic healing and personal growth. As a Trustee, Bornwell brings a compassionate heart, a dedication to sustainable development, and a powerful drive to inspire others and build resilient communities.
- Phone:+26588285179
- Email:bornwellrosseto@gmail.com
Abraham Dejene
Fundraiser & Advocator -USA
Abraham is a dedicated yoga teacher and community advocate committed to bringing healing practices to underserved populations. Trained at JP Centre Yoga (JCPY) in Boston through a scholarship from the Yoga Diversity Initiative, he teaches in Boston public schools, juvenile detention centers, and at Boston Medical Center for cancer survivors.
Through his deep connection with JCPY, Abraham supports Art for Hope by leading fundraising efforts and advocacy initiatives in the US. He works to cultivate welcoming, inclusive spaces and address social justice issues, helping to bridge resources and awareness between Boston and the refugee community in Dzaleka. His service is rooted in a belief that yoga and mindfulness should be accessible to all, especially those impacted by displacement and hardship.
- Email:fundidonatien@gmail.com
Donatien Fire Fundi
Founder & President
Donatien is a survivor, educator, and father whose personal healing journey through yoga and the arts inspired him to found Art for Hope in 2016 within Dzaleka Refugee Camp. Born from his own experience of transforming pain into purpose, he created the organization to provide refugees with the safe, compassionate space for healing he once needed.
His academic journey reflects his commitment to service and growth. Donatien holds a Diploma in Liberal Studies from Regis University (Denver, Colorado), an Associate of Arts Degree in Business from Southern New Hampshire University, and a Bachelor of Arts in healthcare management with a specialization in communication from Southern New Hampshire University.
Beyond Art for Hope, Donatien is an active leader in the Burning Fire Scout Group within Dzaleka Camp, where he contributes to leadership development, scout training, social media management, and secretariat work. This role reflects his dedication to empowering youth and strengthening community structures.
As a father and community leader, he blends academic knowledge with lived experience to guide Art for Hope's vision. Under his leadership, what began as small yoga sessions has grown into a comprehensive program providing Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS), education, and creative wellness to thousands of refugees fostering dignity, resilience, and hope, one life at a time.
- Phone:+265 991 306 413
- Email:fundidonatien@gmail.com
Asifiwe Alfred
Athletic Coach & Fundraiser-Canada
Alfred joined Art for Hope in 2018 as an athletic coach, bringing with him a passion for running and a vision to unite the Dzaleka community through sport. Known throughout the camp as a dedicated mentor, he organized children and youth, training them to compete in tournaments outside Dzaleka—giving young athletes opportunities to showcase their talent beyond the camp's borders. A passionate runner himself, Alfred played a central role in leading Art for Hope's annual running events, including the Global Run for Freedom and the Dzaleka 5K Run/Walk and Games. He coached aspiring professional runners, helping them develop discipline, confidence, and hope for the future. Though Alfred was resettled in Canada with his family, his heart never left Dzaleka. He continues to advocate for the community through fundraising and material support, and still offers his coaching skills remotely—proving that distance cannot break the bonds of dedication. His journey from coach to transcontinental advocate reflects the enduring spirit of Art for Hope: once part of the community, always part of its family.
Heid Campbell Rachel
Homeschooling Program Director – Malawi
Heidi is a passionate advocate for children's education and a devoted mother of twin boys. Her journey with Art for Hope began during one of the most challenging periods in Dzaleka's recent history know as the Forced Re-Encampment of Refugees in 2023. Witnessing the heightened hardship within the camp, Heidi connected with Art for Hope to create an immediate, tangible response.
Together, we developed the Dzaleka Homeschooling for Hope program to address a critical crisis. Thousands of children were unable to access public schools, and families could not afford private options. Heidi took action, organizing a team of teachers from within and outside Malawi to reach the camp.
What started as a lifeline for 250 children has grown into an impactful annual program that launches at the beginning of each academic year.
Her dedication goes far beyond coordination.
Heidi tirelessly leads fundraising efforts and material drives, collecting toys, coats, blankets, clothes, and food for the children. She organizes special Christmas drives, ensuring each child receives gifts and educational materials. Understanding the need for sustainability, she also helped teachers market themselves to cater at major events across Malawi, generating profits to support their own stipends.
Through her compassion and relentless energy, Heidi has helped Art for Hope build vital connections across the country, ensuring the program's sustainability. She believes every child deserves to flourish, and through her work, hundreds of young lives in Dzaleka are given that chance.
Clemence Kisose
Yoga Teacher
Clemence's journey with Art for Hope began when she arrived in Dzaleka Refugee Camp after fleeing violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo, having lost her husband and other relatives. Seeking healing from profound trauma, she joined Art for Hope's mental health program, where she discovered the support needed to begin rebuilding her life.
After her recovery, Clemence felt a deep calling to give back. She volunteered to share her expertise in accounting, budgeting, and financial management—knowledge vital to sustaining the organization's growth. Her dedication and skill were quickly recognized, and in 2024 she was appointed as Board Treasurer, a role in which she has helped the organization flourish through sound financial stewardship.
Driven by her belief in the programs that healed her, Clemence later trained as a yoga and mindfulness teacher. She now serves both the community and schools within the camp, guiding others on their own healing journeys. Her life reflects a full circle of transformation: from trauma survivor to healer, from program participant to organizational leader.
- Email:ckisose@gmail.com