THE TEAM
Maka Chikowero
Founder & President
Maka is the founder and president of MTC Educate A Girl Inc, a junior at St Catherine University, an athlete, a member of the UN Generation Equality Youth Task Force adolescent girls leaders, and the immediate past president of the Rozaria Memorial Trust girls clubs of North America. Maka has received several awards in Zimbabwe and the USA. Among other honors was being nominated for the prestigious international children’s peace prize award in 2020. Her organization, MTC Educate A Girl Inc is a non-profit organization for girls by a girl whose main objective is to empower girls and young women in rural and peri-urban areas to support girls’ education, fight the scourge of child marriages, challenge harmful gender stereotypes, groom women leaders and level gender inequalities. MTC Educate A Girl Inc fosters volunteerism, advocacy, and community activism. It is dedicated to supporting orphaned girls and those from low-income and rural areas of Zimbabwe to stay in school, play a sport, learn some entrepreneurial skills and fight period poverty. It provides educational scholarships, school uniforms, school supplies and sanitary products to ease the educational experience of its beneficiaries. It also provides sports equipment to enable hundreds of girls in rural Zimbabwe to play a sport, especially soccer, which remains largely male-dominated. Maka, through her organization, to date, has provided sports bras and soccer equipment to several girls’ soccer teams in communities and via schools. Her organization sponsors MTC Sirens, a community-based girls soccer club that uses women coaches, a hugely popular model that Maka’s organization now reproduces across more villages. MTC Sirens soccer club reaches hundreds of girls through weekly training sessions, regular soccer matches as well as all-girls soccer tournaments. The club also provides psycho-social support to marginalized girls, survivors of child marriages and invites career mentors, community health workers and law enforcement agents to speak on issues surrounding SRHR, abuse and GBV.
Founder & President
Maka is the founder and president of MTC Educate A Girl Inc, a junior at St Catherine University, an athlete, a member of the UN Generation Equality Youth Task Force adolescent girls leaders, and the immediate past president of the Rozaria Memorial Trust girls clubs of North America. Maka has received several awards in Zimbabwe and the USA. Among other honors was being nominated for the prestigious international children’s peace prize award in 2020. Her organization, MTC Educate A Girl Inc is a non-profit organization for girls by a girl whose main objective is to empower girls and young women in rural and peri-urban areas to support girls’ education, fight the scourge of child marriages, challenge harmful gender stereotypes, groom women leaders and level gender inequalities. MTC Educate A Girl Inc fosters volunteerism, advocacy, and community activism. It is dedicated to supporting orphaned girls and those from low-income and rural areas of Zimbabwe to stay in school, play a sport, learn some entrepreneurial skills and fight period poverty. It provides educational scholarships, school uniforms, school supplies and sanitary products to ease the educational experience of its beneficiaries. It also provides sports equipment to enable hundreds of girls in rural Zimbabwe to play a sport, especially soccer, which remains largely male-dominated. Maka, through her organization, to date, has provided sports bras and soccer equipment to several girls’ soccer teams in communities and via schools. Her organization sponsors MTC Sirens, a community-based girls soccer club that uses women coaches, a hugely popular model that Maka’s organization now reproduces across more villages. MTC Sirens soccer club reaches hundreds of girls through weekly training sessions, regular soccer matches as well as all-girls soccer tournaments. The club also provides psycho-social support to marginalized girls, survivors of child marriages and invites career mentors, community health workers and law enforcement agents to speak on issues surrounding SRHR, abuse and GBV.
Marta Brigham
Vice President
Marta Mae Tabootay Brigham is a college student in Minnesota. During her high school years, she was attending Madison College’s Early STEM College Academy. ESCA is a dual-credit program provided to select Madison, WI juniors and seniors and allows students the chance to receive an Associates' degree while finishing high school. Marta is proudly a part of the Rozaria girls club. She also sits as a board member in charge of youth engagement for MTC Educate a Girl, a non-profit organization led by a teenager, to empower other girls in rural areas and support their education. MTC Educate a Girl is dedicated to supporting orphaned girls and those from low-income and rural areas of Zimbabwe to stay in school, play a sport, learn some entrepreneurial skills, and fight period poverty. It provides educational scholarships, school uniforms, school supplies, and sanitary products to ease the educational experience of its beneficiaries. Marta enjoys helping less-privileged girls so that they can also stay in school and participate in sports. Marta believes challenging oneself through education and participation in sport boosts self-confidence
Marta Brigham
Vice President
Marta Mae Tabootay Brigham is a college student in Minnesota. During her high school years, she was attending Madison College’s Early STEM College Academy. ESCA is a dual-credit program provided to select Madison, WI juniors and seniors and allows students the chance to receive an Associates' degree while finishing high school. Marta is proudly a part of the Rozaria girls club. She also sits as a board member in charge of youth engagement for MTC Educate a Girl, a non-profit organization led by a teenager, to empower other girls in rural areas and support their education. MTC Educate a Girl is dedicated to supporting orphaned girls and those from low-income and rural areas of Zimbabwe to stay in school, play a sport, learn some entrepreneurial skills, and fight period poverty. It provides educational scholarships, school uniforms, school supplies, and sanitary products to ease the educational experience of its beneficiaries. Marta enjoys helping less-privileged girls so that they can also stay in school and participate in sports. Marta believes challenging oneself through education and participation in sport boosts self-confidence
MTC BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Joseph Chikowero
Board Chairperson
Joseph Chikowero is a graduate of the University of Zimbabwe (B.A. Hons. in English, M.A. in English) and the University of Wisconsin-Madison (Ph.D. in African Literature).
Joseph has a deep respect for the resilience of rural communities.
Joseph is excited to help steer a team of emerging and proven champions in their different professions to accomplish the goals of MTC Educate A Girl Inc.
Board Chairperson
Joseph Chikowero is a graduate of the University of Zimbabwe (B.A. Hons. in English, M.A. in English) and the University of Wisconsin-Madison (Ph.D. in African Literature).
Joseph has a deep respect for the resilience of rural communities.
Joseph is excited to help steer a team of emerging and proven champions in their different professions to accomplish the goals of MTC Educate A Girl Inc.
Ramatoulie Kujabi Barry
Senior Youth Engagement Director- USA/Gambia
Ramatoulie Kujabi Barry is a freshman college student from Madison, Wisconsin. She is interested in the visual arts, sports, dance, music and creating a more just, equitable and humane world for all of its inhabitants.
She is compassionate, sensitive to the needs of others and is always willing to support members of the community that need allies in challenging times. She is learning about the power of organizing and how to work within a collective as a member of the Girls Scouts and the Rozaria Memorial Trust Girl Club of North America. As a Rozaria Memorial Trust member, she attended the Young Women and Girls Conference at UN Commission on Status of Women 2017
through 2019. This opportunity afforded Ramatoulie the chance to network with international leaders and peers, engage in a multitude of experiences and ultimately learn community development strategies that she can draw from in her civic engagement work. Rama played soccer for years and now plays volleyball competitively for her middle school team. She has participated in Girls on the Run 5K spring 2015 through 2017 and now serves as a junior coach. She understands the benefits of playing sports and that inspired her to advocate for greater access and opportunities for girls to play sports. In January 2019, Rama was awarded the Outstanding Young Person award by the Urban League of Greater Madison.
Senior Youth Engagement Director- USA/Gambia
Ramatoulie Kujabi Barry is a freshman college student from Madison, Wisconsin. She is interested in the visual arts, sports, dance, music and creating a more just, equitable and humane world for all of its inhabitants.
She is compassionate, sensitive to the needs of others and is always willing to support members of the community that need allies in challenging times. She is learning about the power of organizing and how to work within a collective as a member of the Girls Scouts and the Rozaria Memorial Trust Girl Club of North America. As a Rozaria Memorial Trust member, she attended the Young Women and Girls Conference at UN Commission on Status of Women 2017
through 2019. This opportunity afforded Ramatoulie the chance to network with international leaders and peers, engage in a multitude of experiences and ultimately learn community development strategies that she can draw from in her civic engagement work. Rama played soccer for years and now plays volleyball competitively for her middle school team. She has participated in Girls on the Run 5K spring 2015 through 2017 and now serves as a junior coach. She understands the benefits of playing sports and that inspired her to advocate for greater access and opportunities for girls to play sports. In January 2019, Rama was awarded the Outstanding Young Person award by the Urban League of Greater Madison.
Hana Bohling
Assistant Youth Engagement Director
Assistant Youth Engagement Director
Tim Wszalek
Business Partnerships Director
Tim Wszalek has been coaching youth soccer in the Madison area since 2014. He currently serves as the Assistant Director of Operations for Regent Soccer Club and coaches with Madison 56ers Soccer Club. He holds a BS in Sports and Recreation Management from the University of Minnesota Crookston. During his time with Regent SC, Tim coached Maka for 2 years and got to know her, the Chikowero family, and their mission to empower young women around the world. Tim is excited and honored to bring his knowledge of the sports industry to support a worthy cause. He fills the role of Tournament Director for MTC's annual tournament.
Business Partnerships Director
Tim Wszalek has been coaching youth soccer in the Madison area since 2014. He currently serves as the Assistant Director of Operations for Regent Soccer Club and coaches with Madison 56ers Soccer Club. He holds a BS in Sports and Recreation Management from the University of Minnesota Crookston. During his time with Regent SC, Tim coached Maka for 2 years and got to know her, the Chikowero family, and their mission to empower young women around the world. Tim is excited and honored to bring his knowledge of the sports industry to support a worthy cause. He fills the role of Tournament Director for MTC's annual tournament.
Virginia Lee Barry
Community Engagement
Virginia V. Lee is a passionate advocate of youth development, particularly programs
that foster academic achievement, the pursuit of higher education and promote civic engagement. She has nineteen years of experience developing and facilitating youth
programs for nonprofit organizations and institutions of higher learning including
Americorp, Madison School and Community Recreation, Reach Dane, The Met School,
University of Wisconsin-Madison and Edgewood College. As an alumnus of Yale
Universities Ulysses S. Grant Foundation youth program and the Ronald E. McNair
Post baccalaureate Achievement Program, Virginia understands first-hand the benefits
of participating in programs that support achievement and appreciates having the
opportunity to create similar spaces for youth.
Sidney Moore
Global Policy Youth Adviser
Sidney is 16 years old and a junior in high school. She will be attending Madison College's Stem Academy which is a dual-credit program that gives students a chance to complete their associates degree while finishing high school. Sidney's an advocate for women and girls empowerment and very passionate about it. She's a member of Rozaria Memorial Trust. Through RMT she attended and spoken at the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women in New York many times and was nominated and chosen to be a girl moderator at the International Day of the Girl conference at the United Nations in October of 2023. Additionally she's an entrepreneur and a swimmer. She was recognized as the youngest person to complete the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Small Business program, WARF Upstart program at just 10 years old. In the summer of 2023 she traveled to The Gambia with CEO's of Tomorrow, to teach high school kids there how to start and launch their own businesses and more about entrepreneurship. She's very grateful for all the opportunities she's had and wants to give back to her community and communities around the world. Sidney believes that girls in rural areas deserve every opportunity to play sports and get education because those experiences and knowledge shape their personal development and future success!
Global Policy Youth Adviser
Sidney is 16 years old and a junior in high school. She will be attending Madison College's Stem Academy which is a dual-credit program that gives students a chance to complete their associates degree while finishing high school. Sidney's an advocate for women and girls empowerment and very passionate about it. She's a member of Rozaria Memorial Trust. Through RMT she attended and spoken at the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women in New York many times and was nominated and chosen to be a girl moderator at the International Day of the Girl conference at the United Nations in October of 2023. Additionally she's an entrepreneur and a swimmer. She was recognized as the youngest person to complete the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Small Business program, WARF Upstart program at just 10 years old. In the summer of 2023 she traveled to The Gambia with CEO's of Tomorrow, to teach high school kids there how to start and launch their own businesses and more about entrepreneurship. She's very grateful for all the opportunities she's had and wants to give back to her community and communities around the world. Sidney believes that girls in rural areas deserve every opportunity to play sports and get education because those experiences and knowledge shape their personal development and future success!
Advisory Board
Dr. Dan Malone
Patron
Dr. Dan Malone cares for patients with Rheumatologic disorders, diagnosing and
treating arthritis and related autoimmune conditions. He has special expertise in
diagnostic musculoskeletal ultrasound and ultrasound-guided procedures, and he
is recognized as one of the leading Rheumatology ultrasonographer practitioners and teachers in the nation. He earned his MD from the University of Illinois Abraham Lincoln School of Medicine in Chicago and did a fellowship in basic
scientific immunology research at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, MD. He was on the faculty of the University of Wisconsin, Madison, for 23 years and then chose to join the private sector. He is the current president of the Wisconsin Rheumatology Association, the state-wide scientific Rheumatology Organization. Dr. Malone, being semi-retired, sees patients one day a week at Prairie Ridge Health, Columbus, WI, and he volunteers seeing Rheumatology patients at the BSP Specialty free clinic, Middleton, WI, one day per month. He enjoys playing soccer, and occasionally he scores goals!
Patron
Dr. Dan Malone cares for patients with Rheumatologic disorders, diagnosing and
treating arthritis and related autoimmune conditions. He has special expertise in
diagnostic musculoskeletal ultrasound and ultrasound-guided procedures, and he
is recognized as one of the leading Rheumatology ultrasonographer practitioners and teachers in the nation. He earned his MD from the University of Illinois Abraham Lincoln School of Medicine in Chicago and did a fellowship in basic
scientific immunology research at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, MD. He was on the faculty of the University of Wisconsin, Madison, for 23 years and then chose to join the private sector. He is the current president of the Wisconsin Rheumatology Association, the state-wide scientific Rheumatology Organization. Dr. Malone, being semi-retired, sees patients one day a week at Prairie Ridge Health, Columbus, WI, and he volunteers seeing Rheumatology patients at the BSP Specialty free clinic, Middleton, WI, one day per month. He enjoys playing soccer, and occasionally he scores goals!
Luci Chikowero
Communications Officer
Luci Chikowero grew up in Harare and Gweru in Zimbabwe. She enrolled for a degree program in Health and Gender Studies before joining her family in Madison, WI. Luci works for a health diagnostics services company in Madison. Away from her work, she directs the North American operations of the Rozaria Memorial Trust, a non-profit organization that fights child marriages in Murewa, Zimbabwe. Luci has been involved in policy-making at the UN Women and, since 2017, has been a core group member of the North American and European Caucus of the United Nations Commission on Status Women. The 7-member core group is tasked with the management and communication of the caucus business in between annual conferences. Luci also coordinates annual participation to the UN Youth Conference at the Status of Women and Girls(CSW) in New York City by a group of Madison-based schoolgirls. Luci is inspired by seeing young women and girls taking up leadership positions regardless of class or geographical location. She believes that given the right support, everyone has something valuable to offer which is why she is excited to work with MTC as a communications officer. Luci brings her extensive organizational experience, open-mindedness, progressive outlook, gender and inter-generational leadership across different fields to MTC Educate A Girl Inc. A self-described soccer and swim mum, Luci enjoys watching her daughter and son compete in soccer and swim events. In her spare time, Luci enjoys watching her favorite club Manchester City.
Communications Officer
Luci Chikowero grew up in Harare and Gweru in Zimbabwe. She enrolled for a degree program in Health and Gender Studies before joining her family in Madison, WI. Luci works for a health diagnostics services company in Madison. Away from her work, she directs the North American operations of the Rozaria Memorial Trust, a non-profit organization that fights child marriages in Murewa, Zimbabwe. Luci has been involved in policy-making at the UN Women and, since 2017, has been a core group member of the North American and European Caucus of the United Nations Commission on Status Women. The 7-member core group is tasked with the management and communication of the caucus business in between annual conferences. Luci also coordinates annual participation to the UN Youth Conference at the Status of Women and Girls(CSW) in New York City by a group of Madison-based schoolgirls. Luci is inspired by seeing young women and girls taking up leadership positions regardless of class or geographical location. She believes that given the right support, everyone has something valuable to offer which is why she is excited to work with MTC as a communications officer. Luci brings her extensive organizational experience, open-mindedness, progressive outlook, gender and inter-generational leadership across different fields to MTC Educate A Girl Inc. A self-described soccer and swim mum, Luci enjoys watching her daughter and son compete in soccer and swim events. In her spare time, Luci enjoys watching her favorite club Manchester City.
Adv. Knowledge Renzva
Legal Affairs - Zimbabwe
Legal Affairs - Zimbabwe
Blessed Mudhaka
Business, Partnerships and Community Engagement - Zimbabwe
Blessed Mudhaka Co-founder Girls and Goals Passionate about empowering the girl child through sports, Blessed has dedicated his life to creating a level playing field for young girls to thrive. He has pioneered a movement that harnesses the power of sports to build confidence, resilience, and leadership skills in girls from marginalized communities. With a background in sports management, Blessed has spent over 5 years working with girls and young women, designing and implementing programs that tackle gender inequality, challenge societal norms, and promote gender-sensitive policies. He has provided girls with access to quality coaching, mentorship, and education. Blessed is a firm believer in the transformative power of sports and its ability to break down barriers, challenge stereotypes, and create positive change. He has collaborated with local organizations, and community groups to advocate for policies and programs that support girls' empowerment through sports. Education: - Honors degree in Theology and Religious Studies [Midlands State University]
Business, Partnerships and Community Engagement - Zimbabwe
Blessed Mudhaka Co-founder Girls and Goals Passionate about empowering the girl child through sports, Blessed has dedicated his life to creating a level playing field for young girls to thrive. He has pioneered a movement that harnesses the power of sports to build confidence, resilience, and leadership skills in girls from marginalized communities. With a background in sports management, Blessed has spent over 5 years working with girls and young women, designing and implementing programs that tackle gender inequality, challenge societal norms, and promote gender-sensitive policies. He has provided girls with access to quality coaching, mentorship, and education. Blessed is a firm believer in the transformative power of sports and its ability to break down barriers, challenge stereotypes, and create positive change. He has collaborated with local organizations, and community groups to advocate for policies and programs that support girls' empowerment through sports. Education: - Honors degree in Theology and Religious Studies [Midlands State University]
