ABOUT US
VISION
Improving quality of life for rural communities
Mission Statement
To create a gender friendly environment through empowering communities with knowledge and life coping skills, peace building and promoting human rights thereby eradicating gender-based violence, poverty and child abuse to curb spread of HIV/AIDS.
Background
Nyahunure Community Organisation is a registered community based non-governmental organization operating in Mashonaland East Province in Zimbabwe. It was born out of the UNWOMEN (UNIFEM) gender empowerment project with the main goal to enhance human security through ensuring that gender equality and human rights are integrated into key policies, programs and activities that address HIV and AIDS at community level.The organisation started its formal operations in 2006 as a trust with the name Nyahunure Community Trust and managed to upgrade to a PVO status under Zimbabwean Ministry of Labour and social development in 2021 changing the brand to Nyahunure Community Organisation.The Organisation have a long trail record of sustainable and diversified development with major focus in the gender, economic empowerment, income generation activities development,environmental management, social accountability and governance
OUR TEAM
Nyahunure Community Organisation is driven by a passionate, multidisciplinary team of development practitioners, field facilitators, and community leaders. Our team combines deep local knowledge with technical expertise in agriculture, public health, gender, and community empowerment. Together, we work hand-in-hand with communities to design and deliver impactful, inclusive, and sustainable solutions.
FRANCIS PAWANDIWA
Project Coordinator
Nyahunure Community Organisation was founded by Mr Francis Pawandiwa, a passionate community development practitioner and social entrepreneur from Mutoko District. Driven by a vision to uplift marginalized rural communities, she established NCO in 2006 to address the interlinked challenges of poverty, food insecurity, and gender inequality. With over two decades of experience in grassroots mobilization, women's empowerment, and sustainable agriculture, Mr Francis Pawandiwa has been instrumental in shaping the Organization’s mission and expanding its reach. Her hands-on leadership and deep connection to the communities NCO serves continue to inspire and guide the organization’s transformative work.
JIHAD MTSILIZAH
Agribusiness Value Chain Officer
Mr Mtsilizah plays a pivotal role in strengthening rural livelihoods through the development of inclusive, climate-resilient agricultural value chains as the Agribusiness Value Chain Officer at Nyahunure Community Organisation. He holds a BSc Hons Degree in Crop Science and a MSc in Food Security and Sustainable Agriculture (Production). His responsibilities include identifying market opportunities, supporting smallholder farmers to increase production efficiency, driving value addition, and linking producer groups to profitable markets. With a solid foundation in agronomy, agribusiness development, and rural enterprise support, he facilitates training in post-harvest handling, quality control, and financial literacy. He also works closely with farmer cooperatives, youth, and women-led enterprises to promote sustainable agricultural practices and improve access to inputs, technology, and market information. Through his efforts, value chain development directly contributes to higher incomes, stronger food security, and greater economic empowerment for rural households.
Lenister Dangarembizi
Monitoring Evaluation Research Learning Officer
As the MERL Officer at Nyahunure Community Organisation, he leads the design and implementation of robust monitoring and evaluation systems that track project performance, outcomes, and impact across all programmatic areas. He is currently persuing an BSc Hons Degree in Development Studies. He is responsible for developing data collection tools, managing databases, and ensuring data quality, analysis, and timely reporting to support evidence-based decision-making. He conducts baseline, midline, and endline assessments, as well as ongoing participatory monitoring to ensure that project activities are aligned with community needs and donor expectations. Through his strong analytical and research skills, he generates actionable insights that inform adaptive programming, learning agendas, and organizational strategy. He also supports capacity building of staff and community structures on data use, documentation of success stories, and knowledge sharing, ensuring that learning is integrated across the entire project cycle.
Millicent Chamboko
Dairy Development Officer
Millicent Chamboko as the Dairy Development Officer at Nyahunure Community Organisation, she plays a central role in coordinating and overseeing the implementation of community-based projects across target wards within the district. She holds a BSc Hons Degree in Animal Science and a MSc in Management of Development - Rural Development and Food Security. She provides strategic leadership at the local level, ensuring that all program activities are aligned with community priorities, organizational objectives, and district development plans. Her work involves mobilizing community stakeholders, facilitating planning meetings, monitoring field activities, and supporting effective delivery of interventions across thematic areas such as food security, health, and women’s empowerment. With strong interpersonal and facilitation skills, she builds trusted relationships with traditional leaders, government departments, and community-based structures to promote ownership, participation, and sustainability. Her leadership ensures that Nyahunure’s work remains responsive, inclusive, and impactful at the grassroots level.