Tinashe Basa grew up in difficult circumstances, picking cotton at the age of 11, spraying pesticides in tobacco fields at 15, and struggling to find the money to stay in school. Nonetheless, at 17, although sleeping on the streets, he volunteered at a small orphanage that was just opening in Bulawayo since his life’s dream was to provide others with a better childhood than what he’d had. Tinashe kept his focus and went on to co-found Zimkids Orphan Trust in 2009. Today, as director, he oversees recreational, vocational, educational, and feeding programs for 300 orphans at Zimkids’ Centre in Bulawayo, which includes a preschool, online tech center, library, sewing center, and garden. He has enabled some of Zimbabwe’s poorest orphans to further their education, attain advanced certifications, and build independent lives. He will continue that work after the Fellowship. He holds advanced degrees from what some call the ‘School of Hard Knocks’.
Maximina Jokoya has over eight years’ experience in the field of HIV/Aids. She is currently working for Africaid as a Zvandiri mentor implementing the DREAMS project in Mutare District, Zimbabwe. Maximina was born with HIV, which is what has inspired her to work with adolescents and young women who are infected with and affected by HIV. She joined the University of Zimbabwe – University of California San Francisco (UZ-UCSF) collaborative research program in 2007 as a community advisory board member, community delegate member to the Global Fund, and Women Deliver young leader, amongst many other roles. Upon completion of the Mandela Washington Fellowship, Maximina plans to continue to work in the field of HIV/Aids, improving on innovative ideas, strengthening community systems, and developing research gaps. She holds a diploma in HIV/Aids counseling care and support, and is currently pursuing a degree in Psychology with Africa University.
