We share a heartfelt thank you to Rueben Lifuka as he steps down after 11 years on Build It International’s Zambia Board.
Rueben joined us 2009 and has been our Zambia Chair from September 2011 until April 2020, as well as sitting on our UK Board.
Rueben’s contribution has been very significant. A man of many talents, Rueben is an architect by training but has worked primarily as an environmental consultant. He is an expert in good governance, founded Dialogue Africa and sat on the recent Constitutional Review Commission. Rueben is President of Transparency International in Zambia, and Vice Chair of their international board. Transparency International is a global movement taking action against corruption with a presence in more than 100 countries.
Rueben’s experience, reputation and practical skills meant he provided valuable advice and support to our Zambia Country Director. He ensured we benefited from a good understanding of the political and bureaucratic / legal context, and helped us to build a reputation for good work. Rueben played a significant role in developing our plans around the creation and development of our Centre for Excellence as a member of the Steering Committee.
Andrew Jowett, Build It Chief Executive said:
“My heartfelt thanks to Rueben for his fantastic support and guidance as our Zambia Chair over the past nine years. He has been a major part of Build It’s story. We all wish him well in his new ventures and appreciate Rueben remaining involved with Build It as one of our valued advisors”
Rueben said:
“It was a great honour for me to serve and I found the nine years an opportunity for personal growth. I found a practical way of contributing to the social development of communities and most importantly, I was humbled with the support generously given to vulnerable young men and women, who had no hope for their future. These young Zambians now have an opportunity, in some instances to make a lifetime change in their fortunes and those of their families, and this is what kept me going.
“I leave knowing fully well Build It is firmly anchored in Zambia and has a bright future. I will continue to support and make my humble contributions whenever opportunities arise. God bless and may your generosity continue to change the lives of many people in Zambia and wherever else Build It may work.”
We thank Wilson Sumaili, currently a Trustee on our Zambia Board, for stepping in as interim Chair.
