Introducing Team #AtoZed2016 !

Introducing Team #AtoZed2016 !

The A to Zed team consists of our core staff, educators, and volunteers who are helping to continue the work of our mission: to enrich the lives of  children, beginning in Zambia, by providing them the tools, exposure, and education they need to live inspired and empowered lives.

[Back row, left to right: Kondi Sibande, Clavis Anderson, Michelle Shackleford, Vanessa Whitehead, Lusungu Sibande-Simwinji. Front row left to right: Marciá Gridine, Lisa Boykin.]

A to Zed is a 501c3 organization founded by sisters Kondi Sibande and Lusungu Sibande-Simwinji.

As a Registered Nurse and Health Care Administrator, Kondi specializes as an educator on feminine reproductive health and hygiene on behalf of A to Zed. A second grade teacher and professor at the University of South Carolina, Lusungu brings her expertise as a reading interventionist for children and a reading coach for teachers to the table.  Both sisters collaborate with leaders in their respective areas of focus to offer techniques for identifying and improving diverse challenges fellow Zambian educational professionals face.

Kondi and Lusungu consider themselves blessed to have a unique team of volunteers to join #AtoZed2016 for the 2016 mission trip to Zambia. This month they will travel to Zambia with Kondi and Lusungu to fulfill the organization’s original mission. Team #AtoZed2016 includes four extraordinary and accomplished volunteers: Clavis Anderson, educator; Lisa Boykin, high school teacher; Vanessa Whitehead, seamstress and home economics teacher; and Marciá Gridine, elementary school teacher.

Our stateside volunteers lend their talent and skills to provide support in the most fundamental areas. Safiyaa Bennu-Ma’at Pearson, also known as ShYne, procured and donated “brown books” with uplifting and relatable images for the children of our partner schools and is also a writer and editor for our site. Ron Moses donated teaching aids and posters for our #postersforZambia initiative. Michelle Shackleford helped interview staff for #AtoZed2016 and provides invaluable support in other areas of administration. Kareem Reed adeptly designs and manages our website and Helese Smauldon shares her skills and experience in media, communications, and writing.

Our blog will keep you up to date on what’s happening with us on the ground in Zambia, and check our Facebook page for status updates. See our About page for more in-depth bios of team #AtoZed2016 !