Hi, we're the

FRIENDSHIP BENCH TEAM

Carriers of connection and empathy. Driven by the belief that if we can create safe spaces in communities where people can find a sense of belonging, then we can change the lives of millions of people to enhance their mental wellbeing and improve their quality of life.

DIRECTORS

Prof. Dixon Chibanda

Friendship Bench

Founder & CEO

Martha Mashonganyika

Friendship Bench

Director of Finances

Lena Zamchiya

Friendship Bench

Director of Operations & Franchise

OPERATION LEADS

Nanzeni

Mudzengi

Friendship Bench

Administration

Ephraim Chiriseri

Friendship Bench

Monitoring & Evaluations

Manager

Chengetayi Nyamukapa

Friendship Bench

Country Scale Up

Coordinator

Jean Turner

Friendship Bench

Media & Communications

Manager

CORE TEAM

Rhulani Tsakani Beji-Chauke

Providence Jongwedzvuku

Tiny Kamvura

Innocent Marimo

Silindweyinkosi Chinoda

Kelly Tavaziva

Gogo Sarah

Sandra Mboweni

Charmaine Chitiyo

Thembile Gola

Jermaine Dambi

Duncan Majichi

Bernice Chawira

Georgina Chapoterera

Clara Chambalamba

RESEARCH ASSISTANTS

Portia Chiuyu

Tichaona Gumunyu

Jesca Tapfumaneyi

Ruth Ndoorwi

Onismus Mudanwa

Dorothy Msipha

Claudious Mukoki

Tendai Mvarume

Nyaradzo Goba

Sandra Mugwira

Mazviita Makanda

Leeroy Shoniwa

Mary Munetsi

EXTERNAL COLLABORATORS

Prof. Melanie Abas

Professor of Global Mental Health

Prof. Ricardo Araya

Professor of Global Mental Health

Prof. Martin Prince

Professor of Epidemiological Psychiatry

Dr. Bradley Wagenaar

Acting Assistant Professor,

Global Health

Dr. Victoria Simms

Assistant Professor of Epidemiology

frances-cowan n.jpg

Prof. Frances Cowan

Professor of Global Mental Health

Prof. Helen Weiss

Professor of Epidemiology

Lorna Gibson

Assistant Professor of Epidemiology