About Us
With over 12 years of experience, ASSAMBA has become a leader in bamboo cultivation and sustainable development. Bamboo Cultivation: Over 3,000 bamboo plants grown on a 3-hectare farm, with a nursery capable of producing 6,000 seedlings every six months. Training Programs: Equipped 40 farmers and charcoal producers with skills in bamboo cultivation, management, and bamboo charcoal production. Over 150 participants attended our workshops on bamboo construction, furniture making, food production, and charcoal and curriculum development Key Projects: €15,000 PACJA grant: Expanding bamboo cultivation by 10 hectares and training communities in sustainable practices. €18,000 Merz Foundation: Initiating the Bamboo Park to rehabilitate 16 hectares of degraded land in Matutuíne district. €120,000 DAAD grant: Developing a bamboo-focused curriculum, led by RheinMain University of Applied Sciences in collaboration with Frankfurt University and ASSAMBA as the local organization.
OUR MEMBERS
Paulino Botão
Co-Founder & President Paulino Botão is an expert in environmental sustainability and circular economy practices with a Master’s in Environmental Studies from ISCTE. A Co-Founder of ASSAMBA, Paulino leads pioneering initiatives in bamboo cultivation, recycling, and eco-tourism. His work includes developing sustainable housing solutions and fostering community resilience through bamboo-based innovations. Currently teaching at RheinMain University, he continues to promote bamboo’s transformative potential in construction and livelihoods, supporting ASSAMBA’s vision for a greener future.
Khiusha Uaila
Co-Founder & Vice-President Khiusha Uaila, an architect and urban planner with a Master’s in Climate Action from University College Dublin, combines her creative and entrepreneurial mindset with a passion for sustainable development. As Co-Founder and Vice-President of ASSAMBA, she champions bamboo’s potential in ecological conservation and economic innovation. Khiusha is also the Founder of Xi Bassile, a social enterprise specializing in innovative drainage systems and waste management solutions, showcasing her commitment to sustainable urban infrastructure and community-driven progress.
Ciden Mileto Manuel
Co-Founder & Board Member Ciden Mileto Manuel is a disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation specialist with over a decade of experience in humanitarian responses and resilience-building. As a Co-Founder of ASSAMBA, he drives innovative bamboo-based solutions to tackle environmental challenges while promoting sustainability and community empowerment. With advanced degrees in Disaster Risk Management, Ciden is deeply committed to integrating gender-sensitive, data-driven approaches to align with ASSAMBA’s mission of fostering socio-economic transformation through sustainable practices.
Esperança Rosita Elias Chamba
Co-Founder & Board Member Esperança Chamba is a forest engineer and environmental management specialist with extensive experience in ecological studies, forest inventories, and sustainable resource management. Holding a Master’s in Environmental Management from The Australian National University, she is the Head of the Forest Research Center at IIAM and has been leading bamboo cultivation and management projects since 2012. As a board member of ASSAMBA, Esperança advocates for bamboo as a vital tool for environmental protection, community livelihoods, and Mozambique’s economic growth.
Natália Márcia Tembe
Co-Founder & Board Member Natália Tembe is an accomplished economist specializing in procurement, logistics, and financial management. As a Co-Founder of ASSAMBA, she leverages her expertise to streamline operations and promote sustainable bamboo initiatives. With a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and extensive experience in project administration, Natália plays a critical role in driving ASSAMBA’s mission to empower communities, foster environmental resilience, and contribute to sustainable economic growth in Mozambique
José Lopes Miguel Malevo
Co-Founder & Board Member José Lopes Miguel Malevo is an agricultural engineer and forestry expert with extensive experience in ecological research, forest management, and bamboo propagation. With a degree in Agricultural Engineering from the Instituto Superior Politécnico de Gaza, he has been instrumental in developing sustainable forestry practices and bamboo technologies. As a national consultant for FAO on bamboo technologies and a key contributor to afforestation and medicinal plant projects, José brings a wealth of expertise to ASSAMBA. His leadership in bamboo propagation and sustainable land use reinforces the association’s commitment to environmental conservation and rural development.