James Laizer is the founder and a Chief Executive officer (CEO) of Imunyi Foundation. He is a conservationist and natural resources management expert. His work is grounded in deep understanding of both the ecology and cultures of east Africa and an appreciation of the need for symbiosis between the two. With experience of over 20 years working in East Tanzania and Africa, he acquired knowledge in strategies development, conservation programme design, natural resources management and policy development. He understands wildlife key issues such as Climate change, habitat loss and poverty issues for the local communities living within Wildlife roaming areas and adjacent to protected areas.
Beginning his working life in local government at the grassroot level as a Village Executive Officer, he worked in promoting community development, empowerment, participation and poverty alleviation, then worked as a Wildlife Ranger, dealing specifically in mitigating key wildlife issues such as Human Wildlife conflicts, Illegal wildlife trade and poverty reduction through alternative livelihoods development such as eco-tourism, improved livestock and agribusiness initiatives. James worked consistently in community development, stakeholder’s engagement, Community Based Natural Resources Management (CBNRM); specialized more on Land use plans and Management, Participatory Forest Management (PFM), Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs), Beach Management Units (BMUs) and Sustainable Livelihoods development. He also worked in assessing community climate change resilience mitigations and in developing community strategic measure programs.
James then moved to socio-economic and ecological research. He became head of communications and strategy for a private agribusiness, then a tourist camp manager, before setting up Kilimanyika and co-leading a dynamic private consultancy business for many years. James then took on a senior position in the natural resources extractives sector, working for a significant gold mining investor and operator as the corporate social responsibility manager. James then became Managing Director of Sound and Fair Tanzania, an initiative focused on the trade of certified hardwoods from community managed, certified forests. He is also a Co-Founder of Nature Investment Group, a company focusing in building a collaborative network of investors that supports long term conservation of important nature and wildlife areas in East and Southern Africa, both land and marine based.
James holds a Master’s Degree in Community Development from Tengeru Institute of Community Development, Arusha, Tanzania An Advanced Diploma in Wildlife and Natural Resources Management from Mweka College of Africa Wildlife Management, A Diploma in Tourism and Hospitality Management from the Dar es Salaam Institute of Hotel and Business Management.
Peniel Laizer is a board member and Secretary of Imunyi Foundation, he is born and raised in Arusha, Southern Tanzania. He is also the founder and Managing director of Lights on Africa Destinations and Safaris, one of the best travel companies in Tanzania. Peniel is a motivated entrepreneur focusing in sustainable utilization of nature to create jobs and conservation aspirations for his fellow Tanzanian.
He is a professional tour guide and Safari planner. For many years, he has worked intensively in Travel & Tourism industry and in community development, using his small earned income to support the local community projects and sponsoring less disadvantages youth to further their education as corporate social responsibility from his Safari company. Peniel’s passions is children, especially the vulnerable ones, he spends most of his free time working and playing with orphanage children, giving them hope and aspiration for their bright future ahead, he believes that supporting the next generations to access better education is one of the best solutions toward achieving the sustainable world for all. He is a dynamic and self-driven person with experience across a wide spectrum of services, especially in hospitality industry, community development and responsible tourism. He studied Hotel Management in Arusha, Travel and tourism marketing and customer services at the institute of commercial Management in the UK.
Theriesia Urio is a board member and treasurer of Imuniyi Foundation, she is conservationist with many years of experience working in different position in the Government of Tanzania. Theresia began her conservation carrier in earlier 2005 as a Game Warden in Selous Game Reserve, which is one of biggest game reserve in Tanzania and designated as Man and Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO. She then moved to Pande Game Reserve, in Dar es salaam where she worked as Principal Game Warden and then a Game Reserve Manager. Theresia worked in Pande Game reserve for a number of years, where she carried out various conservation, tourism and administrative activities. She then moved to Tourism and Business Office, Tanzania Wildlife Management Authority (TAWA) in Dar es salaam. Currently, she is working with the same Organization (TAWA) as Administrative and Human Resources Officer at TAWA Special Detach Zone, Dar es Salaam.
Theresia is a dedicated and trustworthy person, entrepreneur with experience in financial management, Human resources management and communications skills. She holds a multi- disciplinary Master degree in Natural Resources Assessment and Management, Assessment from The Open University of Tanzania, a Bachelor degree in Industrial Relations (labour Relations and Public Management) from the Institute of social work, and diploma in Wildlife Management from the Collage of Africa Wildlife Management-Mweka, Moshi Tanzania.
Dorcus Ngenda works as volunteer at Imunyi Foundation. She supports in project management and outreach programmes. Miss Dorcus is a self-motivated youth, aspiring to become a self-entrepreneur and motivate her fellow youth and women to become self-reliance and productive in the society. Dorcus has volunteered in different NGOs before and that gives her experience in managing different community development project in rural areas.
She is an excellent speaker, a project manager, strategic planning, monitoring and evaluation, holding a bachelor degree in Project Planning, management and community development from the University of Dodoma (UDOM), and she is completing a Master’s degree in Project Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation at Tengeru Institute of Community Development (TICD), Arusha Tanzania.
Elihazina Sembosi work as a Volunteer at Imunyi Foundation, he is trained as teacher holding a Bachelor of science with education from St. John’s university - Tanzania. For the last four years, he worked as a teacher in various Secondary schools across Tanzania including Charlotte secondary school in Morogoro and Singe secondary school in Manyara. In addition, he worked in a number of of community development projects in rural areas and as an environmentalist, supporting students’ trees planting initiatives and trees plantings and management campaigns in rural areas.
Combining his education career and project planning, monitoring and evaluation, Mr. Sembosi has gained capacity building experience in teaching, Educational psychology, Educational Guidance and Counselli, Project cycle management. He holds a Bachelor of science with education and he is currently completing a Master’s degree in Project Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation at Tengeru Institute of Community Development (TICD), Arusha Tanzania.
Elibariki Ringo works as volunteer at Imunyi Foundation. He supports our education programmes in Arusha region, as an artist, Elibariki use his paints to inspire School children. He a self-made local travel organiser, upcoming both Safaris & Mountain tour guide. Elibariki is born in Mtwara region, Southern Tanzania, he started battling for life when he lost his father from accident. When he was only 13 years old, he relocated himself to Kilimanjaro region where he was struggling to survive alone, and at the age of 17 years, Elibariki started climbing Mount Kilimanjaro as a porter-responsible for carrying Tourists luggage’s and food to Mount Kilimanjaro. He is now living in Arusha, and work as the independent local tour guide, artist and entrepreneur.