Breaking Silence, Restoring Hope Together
About Us
At Mufaro Foundation, we support women navigating infertility by breaking the silence, challenging stigma, and creating safe spaces for healing, connection, and hope. We believe infertility is a shared journey that deserves compassion, understanding, and support.
Understanding the Weight of Silence
Our Story
Infertility can bring intense pressure, shame, and isolation—especially in communities where childbearing is heavily emphasized. At Mufaro Foundation, we believe infertility is a shared challenge that deserves compassion, understanding, and support. We create spaces where women can speak openly, find community, and access programs that protect their physical, emotional, and social wellbeing.
Our Vision
Creating a world where every woman living with infertility is empowered, valued, and given the opportunity to lead a fulfilled life.
Our Mission
To restore hope among women living with infertility by creating a supportive and empowering environment, ensuring their physical, emotional and social wellbeing through comprehensive programs and services.
Our Objective
To provide a holistic transformation of people living with infertility from disadvantaged communities by offering training, empowerment and exposure to life-changing innovations.
From Silence To Sisterhood Support
How We Create Impact
Our approach combines compassion with practical action. We create moments where women can speak freely, access guidance, gain skills, and feel part of a community that understands. Each activity is designed to reduce isolation and strengthen emotional wellbeing through connection, storytelling, and supportive spaces.
Compassionate Leaders Behind The Mission
Our Team
Mufaro Foundation is led by a dedicated team committed to restoring hope and breaking the silence surrounding infertility. Each member brings compassion, professionalism, and a shared belief that no woman should walk this journey alone. Together, we work to create safe spaces for healing, learning, and empowerment within the community.
Jestina Gandawa
Founder and Executive Director
Jestina Gandawa is the Founder and Executive Director of Mufaro, a purpose-driven foundation committed to empowering women living with infertility while also advancing community development through education and support for vulnerable children.
Her leadership is shaped by deep lived experience, having personally navigated an infertility journey spanning over 43 years. This reality inspired her to establish Mufaro as a safe, compassionate space where women affected by infertility can find healing, dignity, advocacy, and a sense of belonging in communities where infertility is often stigmatized or misunderstood.
Jestina is an alumna of the Kanthari one-year leadership program, where she strengthened her skills in social innovation, inclusive leadership, and community-driven solutions. This training continues to inform her people-centered, impact-focused approach to development work.
Beyond women’s wellbeing, she leads initiatives focused on learning support, mentorship, and holistic care for marginalized children, reflecting Mufaro’s broader commitment to nurturing hope and opportunity for future generations.
She brings experience in project development, community engagement, and partnership building, working with local stakeholders, faith-based institutions, and development partners to deliver sustainable, meaningful impact. Her work is grounded in empathy, service, and purpose-led leadership.
Jestina is a devoted family woman who believes strongly in restoring hope, affirming worth beyond societal labels, and transforming personal pain into collective healing.
Nthokozo Gudu
Director of Operations and Communications
Nthokozo Gudu is the Director of Operations and Communications at the Mufaro Foundation, where she oversees the day-to-day operations of the organization and leads its communications, advocacy, and public engagement efforts.
She is a qualified journalist and public speaker, bringing strong skills in storytelling, media engagement, and strategic communication. In her role, Nthokozo ensures that the voices and experiences of women living with infertility are shared with dignity and accuracy, while also amplifying Mufaro’s work with children and communities.
Nthokozo is actively involved in advocacy and community engagement, facilitating conversations, awareness campaigns, and dialogue that challenge stigma, promote inclusion, and foster understanding around infertility and women’s wellbeing. Her advocacy work is grounded in empathy and lived community realities, enabling meaningful connections with diverse stakeholders.
Operationally, she coordinates programs, supports implementation teams, and strengthens internal systems to ensure effective service delivery and mission alignment. She plays a key role in translating Mufaro’s vision into practical, community-centered action.
Lee Alison
Programs Manager
Lee Alison is the Programs Manager at the Mufaro Foundation, where she leads the design, coordination, and implementation of the Foundation’s programs in support of women living with infertility and broader community development initiatives.
She is a qualified social worker, bringing professional expertise in psychosocial support, case management, and community-based interventions. Her work is centered on safeguarding, ethical practice, and ensuring that programs respond effectively to the emotional, social, and practical needs of women and families served by Mufaro.
In her role, Lee works closely with communities, facilitators, and partners to deliver programs that promote healing, resilience, and inclusion. She plays a key role in monitoring program impact, strengthening support systems, and ensuring that services are delivered with care, professionalism, and cultural sensitivity.
Lee is deeply committed to advocacy, community empowerment, and social justice. Her approach is grounded in compassion and evidence-based practice, ensuring that Mufaro’s programs uphold dignity and create safe, supportive spaces for all participants.
Patience Kasaira
Logistics Coordinator
Felistas Chinhengo
Operations & Administration
Michelle Manyeku
Counselling and Engagememnt Administration
Together We Break the Silence
Join the Movement
We extend heartfelt gratitude to our partners, donors, and volunteers whose generosity makes our work possible. Together, we are breaking stigma, restoring hope, and building a future filled with possibility. We invite you to walk with us as we continue creating a safe and supportive community for women living with infertility.