Staff
Please move the mouse above a staff member to display more information.
Back Row left to right: Alistar Harris, Mthunzi Funo, Trevor Johnston, Wiebke Nedel, Coleridge Daniels, Allison Brown, Cindy Jansen, Sherol van der Poll, Nokuzola Mnyani, Lerato Kossie
Middle Row left to right: Lali Milli, Mark Williams, Siphelele Chirwa, Gillian Wilton, Linda Mtshibe, Milly Churchill, Anita Williams, Jackie Titus, Chez Pool
Front Row left to right: Duncan Souchon, Ralph Titus, Marian Goodman
Alistar Harris
Operations Manager
His spirit of adventure takes him up mountains as well as on marathons. He is kind, clear, brave and brings a quality of mentoring and leadership to operations and to programmes which makes things feel safe and manageable.
Mthunzi Funo
Programme Manager
Strong, warm and compassionate leader who touches hearts and lives in a positive and lasting way. Trained mountain guide, rites of passage facilitator, and qualified HIV/AIDS educator. Has been with Educo Africa since the beginning.
Trevor Johnston
CEO
Holds advanced qualifications in all aspects of mountaineering instruction and outdoor education, as well as years of experience as a teacher, expedition member and adventure-based educator. Applies strict care to Educo’s staff training, standards and safety management. Also ensures that laughter and fun are daily fare.
Wiebke Nedel
General Manager
Imported from Educo Germany, bringing with her a wealth of experience in outdoor school management and teaching skills. Epitomizes efficiency and quality control with a smile and a zany twist.
Coleridge Daniels
Programme Manager
Qualified guide of Wilderness Rites of Passage / Vision Quest. His passion is the work of deep inner healing, using the Four Shields methodology in the wilderness setting. His presence and reputation in working with youth at risk is legendary.
Allison Brown
Training Coordinator & Course Leader
An import from Educo Canada with over 10 years experience leading Outdoor, educational programmes. She works on courses in all of Educo's different projects, and coordinates the training of staff. Allison holds qualifications as a Wilderness Rites of Passage Guide, Wilderness First Aid Responder, Teacher's Diploma and has an M.Ed.
Cindy Jansen
Development Manager
With an arm around all aspects of marketing, public relations, campaigns and fund generation, her skills and ability for multiple action are combined with a deeply compassionate heart and a dedicated sense of service to humankind.
Sherol van der Poll
Financial Manager
Financial wizard, ballroom dancer and teacher, expert juggler of work and family life, always sunny and smiling.
Nokuzola Mnyani
Logistics Assistant
We mourn the loss of our beloved Nox, who passed away in October 2007. Her rich spirit lives on in Educo and in the hearts of people she has touched, all over the world.
Lerato Kossie
Programme Instructor
A graduate of the Youth Service Programme, he allows his own success story of overcoming challenging circumstances to serve as an inspiration and role model for the youth and adults on his programmes.
Lali Mili
Course Leader
A graduate of the Youth Service Programme; has represented Educo at international youth conferences; brings excellent focused leadership and mentoring skills to courses. His special focus is HIV/AIDS work.
Mark Williams
Course Leader
Mark specializes in the Child and Youth Care field, but is an all-round capable process facilitator, moderator, outdoor guide and energizer. He is equally at home working with youth or adults.
Siphelele Chirwa
Programme Instructor
A graduate of the Youth Service Programme, she brings style and strength to programmes, with special focus on the Sisonke HIV/AIDS work. She carries a compassion and wisdom that belies her youthfulness.
Gillian Wilton
Child and Youth Care Project Coordinator
Brings much experience in youth at risk work; her main focus is the Child and Youth Care Transformation project. Passionate about development, sustainability, spirituality, she networks and connects this work with the broad realities of the sector.
Linda Mtshibe
Programme Instructor
A graduate of the Youth Service Programme, she is a bright and energetic course instructor. Has a love for the outdoors, conservation, youth leadership and sport.
Milly Churchill
Receptionist
A still point in the midst of great activity. Her love of people and nature, as well as her creative artistry, has her covering a wide base and providing a ready listening ear and an efficient assistance to all facets of the organisation.
Anita Williams
Bookkeeper
Anita is the latest asset to the Financial Team – efficient and thorough with figures, she also brings a deep caring for people and community which makes a perfect Educo combination.
Jackie Titus
Basecamp Assistant
Always a welcoming and bubbly person, Jackie keeps a tight ship at Basecamp ensuring its cleanliness and lending a warm homely touch.
Chez Pool
Development Coordinator
Fun loving, a free and creative spirit with a passion for children. Her positive support and energy makes every task light and pleasurable.
Duncan Souchon
Project Coordinator
Duncan is a dynamic, versatile individual. Besides the expertise that he brings to the programmes, he is also a published author and a musician!
Ralph Titus
Basecamp Manager
Another graduate of the Youth Service Programme, Ralph is efficient and is dedicated to upgrading the standards at Basecamp, and covering all aspects of conservation.
Marian Goodman
Founding Director
Sees to the overall organizational management and development, fundraising, human resources, public affairs and corporate work. Has been crafting Educo into a ‘learning organisation’, where people are able to grow and emerge into their fullest potential, understanding natural cycles and life-affirming practices.
Board of Trustees
Mr Stephen MacDonald - Chairperson
Director of Pick ‘n Pay Family Store, Stellenbosch Square
Ms Elke Geising-Bergen
Executive Director of Nala – Partners for Entrepreneurship
Mr Thembekile Joe Ndiki
Community Development Consultant
Mr Aaron Hobongwana
Programme Facilitator with Development Action Group
Mr Rory Wilson
Retired Director of media and publishing houses
Ms Sorayah Martin
Consultant in Human Resource Development
Ms Marian Goodman (ex officio)
Founding Director, Educo Africa
Mr Trevor Johnston (ex officio)
CEO, Educo Africa
Chairperson’s Remarks
What’s remarkable to me as a Trustee, is that Educo has always stayed true to itself. Despite its growth, it has never lost its heartbeat, its essence. And the capacity it has built as an organisation has been as a result of the capacity built in its people - to take on new projects, develop in new areas. Educo has always had the fundamental belief that the people can do the job – never denying anyone the opportunity to expand, fulfill their potential. The space is as big as one wants it to be.
Steve MacDonald, Chairperson of the Board, and Trustee since 1996
In Pursuit of Excellence
The safety and wellbeing of our participants are of utmost importance to us at Educo Africa. We are scrupulous to maintain the highest level of safety on courses, with a great deal of time and money spent on staff development and training. At Educo Africa we will settle for no less than total commitment to excellence.
In addition to Educo’s own extensive internal staff training courses, staff members are also required to have the following external training that meets industry standards.
Course Leader Qualifications:
- 21 years of age minimum
- Level 3 First Aid + CPR
- AMWL (Advanced Mountain Walking Leader) Certificate
- Lifeguard Award
- ASA (Abseiling Supervisor Award)
- Single Pitch Supervisor
- Counselling Course (min. 90 hours)
- Driver’s License + PDP (Professional Driver’s Permit)
- Facilitation Training
- Mountain Rescue Training
Programme Instructor Qualifications:
- 19 years of age minimum
- Basic First Aid + CPR
- BMWL (Basic Mountain Walking Leader) Certificate
- Capable swimming ability (25m pool)
- ASA (Abseiling Supervisor Award)
- Counselling Course (Life Line) or equivalent (min. 90 hours)
