At the Bone and Blood Foundation, our strength lies in the dedication of our team—sickle cell warriors, healthcare professionals, and community mobilizers—who work tirelessly to ensure no one dies waiting for blood. Meet the people behind our mission:
CO-FOUNDER| BOARD MEMBER| EXCUTIVE DIRECTOR
My name is Neema Mohamed a dedicated advocate for sickle cell disease awareness and voluntary blood donation in Tanzania. As a sickle cell disease patient, co-founder and director of Bone and Blood Foundation, I have been at a forefront of organizing blood drives, mobilizing people, conducting awareness and educational campaigns events that aim at encouraging blood donation to ensure the availability and accessibility of blood to sickle cell disease patients. through collaboration with key organizations like the Tanzania national blood transfusion service, Muhimbili national hospital, regional referral hospital, blood centre and community groups. I have led numerous of initiatives to ensure accessibility of blood and resources to sickle cell disease patients in Tanzania.
CO-FOUNDER| BOARD MEMBER
Bora Hilary is the co-founder of the Bone and Blood Foundation and a passionate advocate for individuals living with sickle cell disease. As a person living with the condition herself, Bora has firsthand experience with the critical challenges faced by patients, particularly the frequent shortages of life-saving blood. Her personal journey has fueled her deep commitment to ensuring the availability and accessibility of safe blood for sickle cell disease patients and others in need. Through her work with the foundation, Bora continues to raise awareness, mobilize communities, and advocate for stronger systems that prioritize voluntary blood donation and equitable healthcare access.
BOARD MEMBER
Nobert Silayo is a passionate health advocate and one of the founding members of the Bone and Blood Foundation. With a deep commitment to improving access to quality healthcare and blood resources in Tanzania, Nobert has played a pivotal role in shaping the foundation’s mission to support individuals affected by sickle cell disease, blood disorders, and those in need of lifesaving blood donations. His work is rooted in a strong belief in community empowerment and sustainable impact. Nobert has led and supported various initiatives across the country, including blood drives, awareness campaigns, and strategic partnerships with public and private institutions. He brings to the foundation a background in health education, community mobilization, and program development. Through his leadership, Nobert continues to inspire young people to take an active role in building a healthier future for all. His vision, dedication, and collaborative spirit remain vital to the foundation’s growth and success.
BOARD MEMBER |FINANCE ADVISOR
Zuhura Hassan is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and holds a Master’s degree in Accounting and Finance. She brings extensive experience and expertise in financial management, strategic planning, and organizational governance. With a strong academic background and a commitment to financial integrity, she has consistently supported organizations in achieving operational sustainability and compliance with national and international financial standards. As a Board Member and Finance Advisor at the Bone and Blood Foundation, Zuhura plays a vital role in overseeing the foundation's financial operations and advising on budgeting, reporting, and donor fund management. Her guidance ensures transparency and accountability, which are essential to the foundation's mission of promoting voluntary blood donation and supporting individuals living with blood disorders, including sickle cell disease. Zuhura is passionate about using her financial acumen to support community-driven health initiatives and is deeply committed to empowering non-profit organizations to reach their full potential through sound financial practices.
PROJECT MANAGER | NURSING OFFICER | PUBLIC HEATH ADVOCATE
Ibrahim D. Gabikwa is a passionate Nursing Officer at Muhimbili National Hospital and the Project Manager at Bone and Blood Foundation (BBF). He holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) and brings a deep commitment to advancing public health through education, encouraging voluntary blood donation, and community empowerment. Through his clinical work, Ibrahim has witnessed countless critical moments where patients especially mothers, accident victims, and children with sickle cell disease urgently needed blood transfusions, yet no blood was available. These heartbreaking experiences have fueled his dedication to encouraging voluntary blood donation as a life-saving act of solidarity and compassion. At BBF, Ibrahim leads impactful programs that promote voluntary, regular blood donation, early screening for sickle cell disease, and community awareness campaigns. He is also passionate about breaking the stigma and myths about sickle cell disease.
BOARD MEMBER
Asia Namamba is a passionate advocate for child protection and a respected academic in the field of social work. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work and a Master’s degree with a specialization in Child Protection. Throughout her career, Asia has remained deeply committed to safeguarding the rights and well-being of children. Currently, she serves as an Assistant Lecturer in the Department of Sociology and Social Work at the Open University of Tanzania, where she plays a vital role in shaping the next generation of social workers. Her expertise in guidance and counseling, capacity building, and advocacy has greatly enriched the academic environment, inspiring students to embrace and apply core social work principles in their practice. In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Asia is actively engaged in research and consultancy on a range of child welfare issues. Her work contributes to the development of informed policies and programs aimed at creating safer, more nurturing environments for children.
Our 100+ volunteers are the backbone of blood drives and awareness campaigns.
80% of our team works directly in communities.
60% of our leaders are SCD patients or caregivers.
