JIM & KATIE VANDERHEYDEN CO-FOUNDERS
Tanzania Life Project has accomplished a great deal since its inception in 2005. Co-Founders Jim and Katie Vanderheyden were introduced to Tanzanian Ben Mlula through their daughter Lisa. After hearing Ben explain the difficulties of African life in Tanzania without access to clean water, Jim couldn't resist figuring out a way to solve this problem one village at a time. Retirement was not an option for this former electrical engineer of 34 years. Jim's experience managing programs and projects, such as the Apollo aircraft control system at Honeywell, proved valuable to the efforts of TLP. His knowledge was useful in arranging contracts with electrical and water engineering firms in Tanzania, which is a logistical challenge most of the time.
For 18 years, Jim and Katie managed Tanzania Life Project from their home in Minnesota. Katie passed away in February 2020 and Jim passed away in October 2022, but their legacy will endure as champions of providing access to sustainable clean water, empowering women and advancing human rights.
Jim and Katie’s family of children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren has grown to over 100 members and many of them are actively involved in Tanzania Life Project.
For 18 years, Jim and Katie managed Tanzania Life Project from their home in Minnesota. Katie passed away in February 2020 and Jim passed away in October 2022, but their legacy will endure as champions of providing access to sustainable clean water, empowering women and advancing human rights.
Jim and Katie’s family of children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren has grown to over 100 members and many of them are actively involved in Tanzania Life Project.
Field Staff
BETHUEL
(BEN) MLULA
Executive Director and Board Chair TLP (T)
Ben has been leading the Tanzania Life Project presence on the ground in Tanzania since 2006. His initial request for help for his home village of Mtumba is what started the journey that ultimately led to the formation of TLP. Ben led the establishment of the local Non-Government Organization (NGO) Tanzania Life Project (T) which is the sister organization to Tanzania Life Project (USA).
Ben is fluent in English and has had training in management and administration. While studying in Canada and the United States, Ben earned both a Bachelor of Theology and Master of Divinity. As an Anglican minister in Tanzania, he is also expected to hold another job, as the pay for being a minister is insufficient to live on or support a family. We are extremely fortunate to have Ben leading Tanzania Life Project in Tanzania and chairing the TLP (T) Board.
Ben is fluent in English and has had training in management and administration. While studying in Canada and the United States, Ben earned both a Bachelor of Theology and Master of Divinity. As an Anglican minister in Tanzania, he is also expected to hold another job, as the pay for being a minister is insufficient to live on or support a family. We are extremely fortunate to have Ben leading Tanzania Life Project in Tanzania and chairing the TLP (T) Board.
Ramadhan
Ndahogora
Manager of Projects and Sustainability
Ramadhan has an advanced diploma in Water Resources and Irrigation Engineering from Dar es Salaam Water Institute. He has worked as a Hydro-Mechanical Supervisor in the Ministry of Regional Administration and Local Government, Water Department dealing with design, maintenance and installation of water plants in rural areas. In 1999, the United Nations High Commission for Refugees requested Ramadhan to work in refugee camps they had established in western Tanzania for people from Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo. In the camps Ramadhan supervised well water drilling, design, installation, maintenance and service. Once he finished his commitment to the camps, Ramadhan started his own business providing water project support for local villages around Dodoma and began to support Tanzania Life Project villages in 2015. Ramadhan is married with five young children.
Burhani
Mustapha
Manager of Communications and Hygiene Programs
Burhani Mustapha grew up in the Mwanza Region in the Lake Zone of Tanzania. He holds a Bachelor of Arts with Education from the Saint Augustine University of Tanzania (SAUT). He has years of experience implementing and coordinating water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) programs in rural Tanzanian communities.
He has worked as project officer, monitoring and evaluation lead and WASH campaign officer for several WASH programs for Maji na Maendeleo Dodoma (MAMADO). All the programs focused on improving sanitation and hygiene through behavioral change using the Community Led Total Sanitation approach (CLTS) to Equality and Non-Discrimination (EQND), Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM), and Gender Inclusion in communities and schools (SWASH). He is a national facilitator for School WASH.
Burhani is also passionate about youth and women’s development. He volunteers with organizations to empower young people socially and economically.
AGNES MLULA Field Officer for Empowerment and Hygiene Programs
Agnes became involved with Tanzania Life Project informally in 2006. She volunteered to help be a liaison for many of the Women's Empowerment and Small Business development workshops sponsored by TLP. She worked her way into a more prominent role in these sessions over time, co-facilitating and teaching the participants very valuable skills to help them be successful.
Agnes has Theological training from Kwonga and continues coursework to enhance her English skills. She formally joined the staff in 2011 as Coordinator working on many of the administrative tasks and small development projects offered to the villages. Since 2016, Agnes has been involved as an educator in the Days for Girls feminine hygiene kit distribution program. Her dedication to TLP and passion to improve the lives of women and girls in Tanzania are essential to our ability to have a lasting impact
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Board Of Directors - TLP (T)
VINCENT
CHIWAMBA
Board Secretary
Vincent began working on the very first water project that ultimately inspired the creation of Tanzania Life Project back in 2005. He was also instrumental in helping establish TLP as a local Non-Government Organization (NGO) in Tanzania.
Vincent is fluent in English and has an Advanced Diploma in Business Administration from Mzumbe University. He worked as a General Manager for the Tanzania Government Internal Trade for many years and held the positions of Hospital Administrator and Project Manager with various institutions. His experience has been crucial to organizing the many tasks required to accomplish our efforts and negotiate the resources needed for success. Vincent retired March 2020 after serving 14 years as TLP (T)’s Program Manager
Vincent is fluent in English and has an Advanced Diploma in Business Administration from Mzumbe University. He worked as a General Manager for the Tanzania Government Internal Trade for many years and held the positions of Hospital Administrator and Project Manager with various institutions. His experience has been crucial to organizing the many tasks required to accomplish our efforts and negotiate the resources needed for success. Vincent retired March 2020 after serving 14 years as TLP (T)’s Program Manager
Reverend Stephen Yohana
Nyawu
Board Member
Reverend Stephen Yohana Nyawu is retired after spending 20 years as a pastor in the Anglican Church and 21 years working for a construction agent in Tanzania. He holds a diploma certificate in agriculture. Reverend Nyawu has spent time as a trainer in entrepreneurship and modern agriculture since retiring.
Reverend Cannon Stanley Yusufu Ndumlla
Board Member
Reverend Cannon Stanley Yusufu Ndumlla was born in 1945 in Igandu village. He is retired after serving the Anglican Church of Tanzania for 31 years. He is an agriculturalist and pastoralist, raising cows and chickens and selling milk. Currently he serves as Chairperson of the Retired Pastors and Widows of the Anglican Church of Tanzania - DCT.
DORCAS “MAMA”
MBENANGA
Board Member
Mama Mbenenga has a certificate in Women's Development and Empowerment. She has travelled extensively in Tanzania advocating for women's rights and gender equality. She has a passion for women's rights and takes these issues very seriously. She leads our Women’s Empowerment seminars and coordinates with the other presenters. Loved by all who meet her, Mama brings sage advice and is seen as a positive and influential member of the Board.
DR. SAMWELI
MLINDWA
BOARD MEMBER
Dr. Samweli Mlindwa is a retired medical doctor. He has a Diploma in Medicine and has been practicing for more than 30 years in government hospitals overseeing various programs in his field of expertise. He received special training on the impact of HIV/AIDS in Tanzania and was on the Board of Directors for the AIDS Prevention Program in the Dodoma Region. He served as Coordinator of TLP (T)’s HIV/AIDS program funded by Abbott Labs in Chicago earlier in our history. He brings extensive medical perspective to our Board.
REVEREND CANON
YOWELI MLULA
BOARD MEMBER
Reverend Canon Yoweli Mlula is retired after serving over 40 years in the Anglican Church of Tanzania. He spent most of his time working as a parish priest. He also spent time working as a counselor in one of Tanzania’s largest hospitals. He has a certificate in Theology and a certificate in Christian Counseling. Through his years of counseling and pastoral experience, Reverend Mlula has gained unique insight into the issues affecting Tanzanian people. He brings this very valuable experience to help shape the decisions of the TLP (T) Board.
Board Of Directors - TLP (USA)
SAM
CLAASSEN
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
Sam recently retired as the CEO of an 800 person engineering and architecture company that is based in Minnesota. He worked for the company for 42 years. He is a civil engineer with BS and MS degrees from Iowa State University. His technical area of engineering expertise is water – more specifically wastewater treatment. He and is wife, Mary, are members of St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Mendota Heights and People of Praise Christian Community. They have five children and five grandchildren. Sam has been active as a committee member, board member and officer for several engineering groups with water related interests and is currently on the Board of Governors for the University of St. Thomas School of Engineering. He looks forward to helping “give water to the thirsty” through the Tanzania Life Project.
CINDY JOHNSON
VICE CHAIR
Cindy has a B.S. degree from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities in Human Resources Management. She has held roles in Human Resources mainly at Land O'Lakes, American Express and Ameriprise leading various functions such as Talent Acquisition, Diversity and Inclusion, Organization Effectiveness, and Talent Development which included global responsibilities in Asia and Latin America. Over the past 30 years Cindy and her family have travelled extensively and have been active in several charitable organizations, believing in giving back to local and global communities in the areas of basic human needs in a sustainable way. Her family has supported TLP since its inception, strongly believing in the mission. Cindy joined the TLP team on the 2016 annual trip focusing on women's health and empowerment.
JOHN
VANDERHEYDEN
TREASURER
John holds BSB and MBA degrees in international business from the University of Minnesota. He began his career in technology with IBM in 1980 followed by roles at both the University of Minnesota and Dain Rauscher. He then transitioned careers to focus on financial services while at Dain Rauscher and progressed to hold executive level positions at Fidelity, Kestra Financial and Bluespring Wealth Partners. John and his wife Mary have been involved in many charitable organizations together over the years including youth sports, scouting, church organizations, Meals on Wheels, street outreach, CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) and Tanzania Life Project. They have traveled to Tanzania regularly as part of the TLP team to work with the wonderful people of each village and the partners at TLP (T) to evolve the program. John feels very fortunate to be learning so much from the people of Tanzania as he and the TLP team partner with them to solve the issues caused by a lack of clean, accessible water.
MARY
VANDERHEYDEN
SECRETARY
Mary holds a BA degree in Professional Communications. Her life experience has been a mix of motherhood, entrepreneurism, teaching and volunteerism. While raising five children in Minnesota, Mary worked for IBM and then left to create two administrative services businesses. She spent ten years teaching pre-school and later, while living in Boston, MA, worked with EduConsultants teaching computer skills to children in kindergarten through eighth grade. Throughout her life Mary has volunteered to serve others of all ages and socioeconomic backgrounds. Church ministry, Meals on Wheels, Caring Therapeutic Touch in a hospital setting, and being a child advocate in the CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) program of Travis County Texas have all been paths of outreach near and dear to her heart. Mary travels to Tanzania with her husband as part of the Tanzania Life Project team on a regular basis. She is fascinated with the opportunity of two cultures coming together to solve problems and is working on improving her Swahili to better communicate with the people of Tanzania.
JOHN
ALLGAIER
BOARD MEMBER
John holds an undergraduate degree in Accounting from Iowa State University and an MBA from the University of Minnesota. In his many years with General Mills, John’s roles ranged from finance and purchasing to brand licensing and partnership. In 2015 he began working for Fabcon as VP of Business Development and Supply Chain. John retired in 2020. He now serves as a Deacon at St. Therese in Deephaven, MN. In addition to his ministry as a Deacon, John serves his Archdiocese through Catholic Charities as well as Shepherds Staff (helping Pastors run the business side of their parish). He has board experience within the church and community. John believes Tanzania Life Project teaches a "village to fish" by providing water so they can independently build a sustainable life for themselves and their families.
HENRY
CROLL
BOARD MEMBER
Henry holds bachelors and master’s degrees in Civil Engineering from the University of Minnesota, with an emphasis in environmental engineering. He currently works as a water/wastewater process engineer at Stantec Consulting. Global development work is the reason why Henry chose to become a civil engineer, and he has made it a focus throughout his professional career. While at the University of Minnesota Henry had the opportunity to volunteer with Engineers Without Borders (EWB), working on a project in Yulo, Bolivia. Within EWB he served as the Fundraising Officer for one term and as a Program Lead for the Bolivia Program, traveling to Bolivia twice. As a member of Tanzania Life Project Henry provides engineering support to system design and enjoys learning how we can better partner with the communities in Tanzania.
Barbara
Loken
BOARD MEMBER
Barbara is a retired Professor of Marketing at the Carlson School of Management, University of Minnesota. In this role, she served as department chair in marketing, served in editorial appointments for marketing journals, and completed multi-disciplinary research projects for the NIH (National Institutes of Health), including projects for NCI (National Cancer Institute) and the FDA (Federal Drug Administration). She received her Ph.D. in social psychology at the University of Illinois. Her areas of expertise in teaching and research are brand management, consumer psychology, and health promotion. A side issue of interest for many years has been the marketing of social issues. Barbara hopes to bring her skills to assist TLP with brand communications and marketing management. Through TLP, Barbara is gaining an understanding of the fundamental importance of clean water in enhancing the daily lives of women, men and children in Tanzanian villages, and she is excited and honored to be part of this movement.
MARK
SETTERSTROM
BOARD MEMBER
Mark holds an undergraduate degree in Civil Engineering from University of Minnesota and a master’s degree in Strategic Management from the Indiana University. His professional career started in National Football League (NFL) with the St. Louis Rams in which he was an offensive lineman for the team for 5 seasons. Upon retirement from the NFL, Mark moved back to Minnesota with his family and started working for Cemstone, an industry leading provider of construction materials (aggregates, concrete, block, and other masonry products), as an Engineered Sales Rep and is currently serving as the General Manager of Aggregates. Mark is passionate about making the teams and communities he works with to become better and more resilient, all while continuing to be a good steward of the vast natural resources available. He is married to Shelagh, and they share 4 beautiful children. Mark is actively involved in the men’s ministry leadership at St. Michaels Catholic church in Stillwater, MN and enjoys spending time in the outdoors with his family. Mark feels honored to strategically use his talents, along with the numerous others involved, to help TLP continue to grow and positively impact as many souls as possible.
Catherine
Trescony
BOARD MEMBER
Catherine, teacher of 36 years, holds a B.S. degree in education and a master's degree in educational administration from the University of Minnesota. Her passion for helping young people discover their gifts fuels both job and outside activities. She spent a year teaching in the United Kingdom through the Fulbright Exchange Program. Catherine has been privileged to serve in a Haitian mission as well as three summer stints with her family on a mission at the Crow Indian Reservation in Montana, USA. She is excited to contribute to the life-changing work of TLP.
Partners & Sponsors
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| Jim & Yvonne Sexton Family Foundation (2008- 2024) St. Cloud, MN |
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| A Devoted Missionary - Sandy Baldwin | ||
| Link Elementary 5th Grade Class | ||
| A MOTIVATED YOUNG GIRL - EVELYN CLARK. | ||
| KIDS GARDEN CONTEST. | ||
| ROBOBLASTERS MEET FLL WATER CHALLENGE FOR TANZANIA LIFE PROJECT |
