Our Team

School Psychosocial & Child Protection Officer
Amélia Castro is a compassionate sociologist dedicated to protecting and supporting vulnerable and displaced children affected by crisis in Cabo Delgado. With experience working alongside humanitarian actors such as the World Food Programme and the World Health Organization, she has developed strong skills in psychosocial support, safeguarding, and community engagement.
Her passion lies in helping children heal from trauma, regain confidence, and feel safe enough to learn and grow. Within the school project, Amélia will play a vital role in creating a protective and nurturing environment by supporting children’s emotional wellbeing, strengthening child protection systems, and working closely with caregivers and teachers to ensure displaced learners are not left behind.
Her contribution will help transform the school into a safe space where children can recover, belong, and rebuild their future.

Founder
Gustavo Dias is the Founder of Thembainitiative, an organization dedicated to building Colégio Chuiba, a school that will provide quality education and opportunity for children in Cabo Delgado, including support for internally displaced persons (IDPs) affected by conflict. With over 10 years of experience in the NGO sector, Gustavo has led initiatives in education, community development, and humanitarian programming. He brings expertise in school management, project design, donor engagement, and scholarship programs. In addition to shaping the vision and partnerships for the school, he serves as Lead Computer Instructor, guiding digital literacy and training teachers in IT skills. His passion for building schools, supporting vulnerable communities, and integrating technology into classrooms reflects his commitment to transforming education and empowering futures.

Learning Through Play & Physical Education Specialist

Armando Chifica is Professional with over 10 years of experience.
He holds a Degree in Physical Education and Sports.
He specializes in integrating Learning Through Play methodologies into the school curriculum, using structured games, sports, and participatory activities to strengthen academic performance, life skills, and psychosocial wellbeing. His approach promotes inclusion, teamwork, leadership, and active engagement—particularly for vulnerable learners.
Within the project, Armando will lead the implementation of play-based learning strategies, support teachers in adopting interactive methods, and create safe, structured spaces where students learn by doing. His contribution will help improve both educational outcomes and student resilience in a sustainable and scalable way.

School Principal

Inês Gimo is a passionate and dedicated education professional who has been serving as a teacher for over 15 years, demonstrating a strong commitment to academic excellence, student wellbeing, and inclusive learning environments. She holds a Degree in Linguistics, which strengthens her capacity to support language development, effective communication, and quality teaching practices.
Throughout her career, Inês has taken on important leadership responsibilities, previously serving as Deputy School Director, where she contributed to academic coordination, teacher mentorship, student discipline, and school administration. Her leadership style is collaborative and supportive, focused on creating safe, inclusive, and motivating environments where both learners and educators can thrive.
As School Principal, Inês is committed to strengthening school governance, improving learning outcomes, and promoting child-centered and inclusive education. She is particularly passionate about teacher development, community engagement, and ensuring that all students — especially the most vulnerable — have access to a safe and empowering learning environment.
Her experience, dedication, and vision make her a key driver of sustainable school improvement and positive community impact.