Africa

Farima has a background in Industrial Engineering, Project Management, Environmental Sciences and Auditing (ISO 9001 14001 45001). Farima worked in several countries, first as an engineer with Clariant in France and SOITEC in Singapore, then as an entrepreneur in South Korea, and finally joined associations in Dubai and Senegal. She focused on Environment 4 years ago being Vice President of Zero Waste Senegal Association and then Founder of adansonia.green, a non profit that focuses on creating concrete solutions for Zero Waste Cities in Senegal.

Farima joined the GAIA team in July 2023 and is now based in Dakar, Senegal.

She/ Her/ Hers

Neebha is GAIA’s Africa Admin Assistant. She holds postgraduate degrees in English and Criminology from the University of KwaZulu Natal. She has a background in human rights education and facilitation. Neebha has worked within different fields including, public health administration across Africa, accessible media, academic editing and legal compliance. She is a djembe percussionist, practices Maori flow art and dabbles in micro-farming. Neebha joined the GAIA team in September 2022 and is based in Durban, South Africa.

Careen is a Tanzanian Journalist and development storyteller working to spearhead climate action and social development through innovative communication and advocacy. Her background includes working with local media houses, non-governmental and international organizations. Careen joined the GAIA team in October 2022 and is based in Dar es Salaam Tanzania.

Weyinmi has a background in Environmental Quality Management and Microbiology. Prior to this role, he supported the development of a WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) Master Plan in Delta State Nigeria, as the project manager, and also the Program Coordinator of Green Knowledge Foundation, Nigeria. He joined the GAIA team in May 2022 and is based in Warri, Nigeria.

Merrisa Naidoo is GAIA’s Africa Plastic Campaigner. She has a background in Marine Microplastic Pollution and has previously worked in youth advocacy and campaigning for Marine Protected Areas in Africa and Globally. Merrisa joined the GAIA team in February 2022  and is based in Durban, South Africa. 

Desmond has a background in Environmental Science and Climate Governance. Desmond has worked with Ghana’s national government, as well as the corporate sector both in Africa and in Europe, in diverse capacities involving waste management and sustainability. He is a climate activist, a strategic campaigner and has worked with the UN Major Groups for Children, YOUNGO and the Youth in Landscape. Desmond joined the GAIA team in April 2021 and is based in Accra, Ghana.

Kenza has a background in political science and sustainable economic development. She has worked in different fields such as election observation, international cooperation, capacity building for cooperatives and CSR. Kenza joined the GAIA team in April 2021 and is based in Marrakech, Morocco.

Niven has a background in social science and worked in the education and environmental planning sector before joining the environmental justice movement in 2016 with groundWork, where he focused on air quality and working with local waste picker groups. He joined the GAIA team in January 2018 and is based in Durban, South Africa.

Carissa holds a National Diploma in Journalism from the Durban University of Technology and is currently studying towards a postgraduate degree in Journalism. She has experience in writing for local news media and enjoys using various types of online media tools. Carissa is also environmentally conscious and believes in the ethical treatment of animals. Her hobbies include reading, creative writing, and watching series.