“IF YOU WANT TO GO FAST, GO ALONE. IF YOU WANT TO GO FAR, GO TOGETHER.”
— African Proverb
Staff
Alemi Charles
Co-Executive Director
Charles joined the staff in July, 2016. As a resident of the Yei community, Charles became familiar with Africa ELI’s work in 2009.
Charles possesses a background in business administration and communications. Before joining Africa ELI, he worked for 13 years at the Crop Training Center in Yei, during which time he served as the Gender Focal Person. Charles is a staunch advocate for gender mainstreaming. His experience and wisdom, his devotion to our students, his gentle and compassionate demeanor, and his steadfastness make Charles a vital member of the Africa ELI team.
Zaharah Namanda
Co-Executive Director
Zaharah Namanda joined the Africa ELI team in February, 2018. As Co-Executive Director, Zaharah provides overall leadership and strategic direction. She is responsible for program planning, student recruitment, and the academic, social, and physical wellbeing of the students. She acts as a liaison between school administrators and students, and provides the students with mentoring and support.
Zaharah has a background in youth development, civic engagement, business, and social advocacy. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda, and has completed the Rhett Entrepreneurship Training at the U.S Embassy in Kampala and Civic Leadership Training through the Young African Leadership Initiative. She is an alumna of the Young Women Leaders’ Camp, part of the Forum for Women in Democracy.
Zaharah is a Mandela Washington Fellow studying at Kansas State University during the summer of 2019.
Anita Henderlight
Senior Advisor
Anita is a development professional, humanitarian, and advocate for human rights and gender equality. She has been with Africa ELI since 2006, serving first as Mobilization and Advocacy Director before taking the position of Executive Director in 2010. She directs overall operations, fundraising, development, asset allocation, and mobilization.
Anita is a highly effective communicator, and travels often throughout the U.S. educating people about Africa ELI’s mission and building support for our students. She also makes regular visits to South Sudan in order to work directly with our students, cultivate community relations, and develop partnerships with local stakeholders.
Anita has a Technical Diploma in Tourism and Hospitality Management from Stevens Institute of Business and Arts, and has completed coursework in Sociology at George Washington University and in Non-Profit Management and Business Administration at the University of Tennessee.
In 2015, Anita was presented with a Human Rights Award by the United Nations Office of Church Women United. In 2018, she received recognition as a Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow.
Advisory Council
Our board members have seen the vast needs of the young people of South Sudan, and know that they will flourish if given access to education. Each board member is an advocate for our students and responsible for Africa ELI’s good governance, networking, and fundraising.
Tami Carsillo
Council Member
Amanda Goodwin
Council Member
Amanda holds a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from the University of Tennessee. She currently works as a Market Business Development Manager for Barnes & Noble. She has been directly involved with Africa ELI since 2010.
Lauryn Bragg
Council Member
Lauryn Bragg works at Oak Ridge National Laboratory with the Geographic Information Science and Technology Group. Since joining the group in 2014, Lauryn has conducted population density research for countries all over the world in many different categories. She received a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from The University of Tennessee in 2012, and is currently working on a GIS Graduate Certificate from the University of Denver, which she expects to receive in 2018. Afterward, she plans to pursue a masters degree in International Development.
Cheyenne Summers
Council Member
Cheyenne received a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from the University of Tennessee in 2012. Over the past five years, she has spent her time working with displaced and forgotten peoples on the island of Hispaniola, as well as refugees and impoverished families in the inner city communities of Knoxville, TN. Currently, she works as Program Specialist for Girl Scouts of the Southern Appalachians.
Grayson Martin
Council Member
Grayson is a Program and Education Director with the Vestal and Montgomery Village Boys & Girls Clubs. He has been a part of the Boy & Girls Club movement for over 20 years. Grayson graduated in 2012 with a degree in public relations from The University of Alabama. He is also a freelance photographer and videographer for numerous businesses and nonprofits in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Serena Cannon
Council Member
Serena has been instrumental in planning and organizing fundraising events for Africa ELI since 2017. She currently works as an Assistant Manager at Barnes & Noble, where she has been employed for 18 years. Her work reflects her passion for reading and education, which drives her commitment to our students and their success.
Founders
Robert Lair and Atem Deng
Co-founders
In January 2006, Atem Deng, a former Sudanese refugee, and Robert Lair, a social entrepreneur and educator, founded our organization. It was created after a Comprehensive Peace Agreement was signed in 2005, bringing the conflict in southern Sudan to an official close. The CPA created a critical opportunity for development to take place in this region. In 2004, Deng and Lair asked Sudanese they met at refugee camps throughout East Africa what was most needed in their homeland. “Education” was the resounding answer they received.