MEET THE TEAM

Manny and Rachael, a love story with an upcycling twist.

A corporate dynamo, Rachael voluntarily hung up her high heels in 2011 and travelled to Livingstone as a volunteer. Livingstone worked it’s charm and by April 2012 Rachael had accepted an Operations and Advisory position with The Happy Africa Foundation and African Impact. Rachael is an expert on the topic of meeting community needs by providing sustainable development.

Manny is a Cape Town-ian welding up a storm in Zambia.. A certified welder and fabricator, Manny arrived in the region to build aluminium boats but heard his calling with Pure Skills back in conception phase. Manny was instrumental in the set-up of Pure Skills and day-today operations, he oversees training and is a keen supporter of providing opportunities in life. Manny and Rachael met in Livingstone in September 2012 and married two years later.

Trevor and Anita, Co-Directors & More

Trevor and Anita provide a home to the Pure Skills workshop in Livingstone. This young entrepreneurial couple are never short a word of advice or encouragement as local business owners within the community, The Old Farmhouse Deli.

KELVIN

Kelvin came to Pure Skills as a student in 2015. Upon completion of the course he was selected to stay on firstly as an apprentice and then in 2017 was promoted to workshop assistant for the welding workshop. Kelvin supports Pure Skills through fabrication, translation and teaching support for welding students.

PRISCOVIA

Priscovia has been with the team since 2017 when the soap project was launched. First as a student then volunteer and now she works three mornings a week making and packaging Pure Soap. She lives with her husband Harison and two children in Linda South/Sakubita where they have built their own house.

CECELIA

Cecelia lives with her daughter Cecelia 2 in the Linda Farm Community. Cecelia was one of the first students to be trained in re purposing of glass. She continued after her training volunteering with Pure Skills as she is a firm believer and supporter of the work and skills training. Cecelia has honed her skills and is an expert in cutting and drilling glass. She was also trained in 2017 in soap making and now overseas production and training on the “Arts and Crafts” side of the workshop.

AGNES

Joining the team in late 2016 Agnes supports Cecelia in re purposing of glass and making of bamboo straws. She lives with her husband and 3 daughters in Mulala. Agnes was unable to complete school due to a lack of funds in her family and continues to strive to learn she’s enrolled in Adult Literacy Classes.

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