WHO WE ARE

Executive Director, Social Anthropologist

Ines holds a doctorate in social anthropology and has many years of research experience at the Austrian Academy of Sciences and as a guest lecturer at national and international universities. Her ethnographic field research has taken her mainly to Libya and Niger, focussing on Tuareg societies, trans-Saharan trade, smuggling and migration. She is the author of several books and numerous specialist publications.

She has been working for THE RAIN WORKERS (formerly Aktion Regen) since 2018 and has played a key role in shaping the strategic realignment and professionalisation of the organisation - as Executive Director since 2022. The NGO is active in the field of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) with a particular focus on impact measurement and community-based approaches.

Ines Kohl is also a lecturer in SRHR at the Medical University of Vienna in the field of global health, chairwoman of AMINA - Active for People in Need and co-founder of IMARAN - Association Autriche-Niger.

communication and fundraising

After studying theatre studies and English, Patricia lived and worked in Uganda for several years - including at a local film production company and for 3.5 years at the Ugandan women's rights organisation ACFODE, where she most recently implemented a project to prevent sexualised violence. In addition to various professional positions, Patricia has also worked as a journalist and won the Herta Pammer Prize. For 7.5 years, Patricia was responsible for press relations at Médecins Sans Frontières Austria and after a brief stint in domestic politics, she took over the communications and fundraising department at THE RAIN WORKERS with great enthusiasm and commitment.

Project Manager East Africa Mobile Office, Rain Worker Trainer

Margaret is a Kenyan social worker and has been involved in various NGOs and projects in Kenya for over 40 years. Her particular focus is on ending female genital mutilation (FGM). She has been part of THE RAIN WORKER family for 20 years - first as a RAIN WORKER, later as a trainer and since 2011 as a project manager in Kenya. In 2020, she took over the management of the East Africa Mobile Office. Margaret is also an advocate for Tukutane e.V. and contributes her expertise in the areas of FGM prevention and women's rights. At THE RAIN WORKERS, she is the leading expert in the fight against FGM.

Project manager

Maggie has lived and worked in Kenya as a trained social pedagogue and photographer. The experience she gained both in Kenya and in Austria in the field of women's education complements the project work she supervises at THE RAIN WORKERS perfectly.

Maggie is also involved with the organization Make Me Smile International.

FGM project coordination Kenya

Gabriel was a teacher and headmaster for many years. With his training as a “Child Safty Officer”, he placed a pioneering focus on the promotion and enforcement of human rights. Gabriel has been a RAIN WORKER trainer since 2022 and has been a permanent member of the Head Office team responsible for #TogetherWeEndFGM project coordination in Kenya since 2024.

Assistant for communication & fundraising

Anna is studying International Development at the University of Vienna. She first worked as an intern at THE RAIN WORKERS from December 2023 and then as a communications assistant when she started her master's degree. The combination of female empowerment and the academic focus on international cooperation and political communication is a focus for her.

Accounting

Angelika managed the secretariat of THE RAIN WORKERS (former Aktion Regen) from 2000 to 2020. She took over the administration, bookkeeping and correspondence support from Dr Hengstberger in implementing her vision.

"As a long-standing employee, I have witnessed the steady development of our organisation. For me, it's wonderful to see what THE RAIN WORKERS has achieved over the years and to observe how the first small ideas ultimately lead to large projects that positively influence and improve the lives of thousands of women in Africa. It fills me with pride to be able to make a small contribution to this."

Even in retirement, doing the accounts correctly is a matter close to her heart.

Program Manager

I have been working in the humanitarian sector for 15 years. I am particularly interested in supporting children and vulnerable people. I care for orphans and set up women's groups in the Zinder region.

I am currently working for the consortium ACS/LUCPAMIC (Action Contre la Sécheresse / Lutte Contre la Pauvreté et la Migration Clandestine) as a project and program manager. My goal is to contribute to the development of Niger and the multiple challenges it faces.

TEACHER

I am Yvonne Chibale, a science teacher for 25 years. I am a matron for the Girls' Club and passionate about girls' academic education.

I was trained as a RAIN WORKER in 2022. A year later, I was trained as a trainer in Kenya.

As a RAIN WORKER and a Trainer, I find joy in meeting people from different communities and sensitize them about Reproductive Health and Rights

Professor for bussines

I have taught entrepreneurship, management and marketing in the university for 30yrs. I have 3 academic degrees from the USA and Canada and a diploma from Kenya. I am an RAIN WORKER-trainer and I have been a mentor in Universities and other places like churches, communities and neighborhoods. My interests are in positive behavioural changes in my audience.

Psychologist

I’m a Psychologist and counselor by profession. Passionately volunteering as sexual and reproductive health advocacy and trainer at Tanzania Gender Network Program through sexual and reproductive health programs supported by THE RAIN WORKERS in Tanzania.

Programm manager

I come from Tanzania and work at Kiota Women's Health and Development Organization (KIWOHEDE), a non-governmental organization in Dar es Salaam. I am committed to promoting reproductive health, children's rights, development and advocacy. Through my work at KIWOHEDE, I have been able to acquire the necessary skills and knowledge to address sexual abuse, violence and exploitation of children, teenage pregnancies, early marriages and school dropout among girls across the country. In 2023 I completed the RAIN WORKER - Trainer training.

FGM-Activist

I come from Kajiado in Kenya and studied Epidemiological research at the African center for research and technology. I work independently as a trainer and workshop leader for various educational NGOs, including CAFGEM. I have been a RAIN WORKER since spring 2021 and a trainer since summer 2022. I am now also a permanent Safe Camp team member. My focus is on working with children and young people and with men - a so-called 'Male Champion'. My mission: "My main duty is to make my community leave a away from the bad cultural practices and embrace education." I am a strong anti-FGM activist.

Childrens rights officer

Sally works in Zambia with Vision Victors Network as a Childrens Rights Officer. Sally has been a RAIN WORKER co-trainer since 2022.

TEACHER

I am a teacher and have been teaching for over 30 years. I am also a trained guidance counselor at my school and enjoy listening to young people and participating in their growth and development by being their “confidant”. I have been a RAIN WORKER since 2022 and have been trained as a RAIN WORKER Co-Trainer since summer 2023. I am currently working on a voluntary basis as a coordinator of the 'Go Girl Go' project under the local NGO Mufulira My Home Town, in Zambia.

Human rights officer

I have a diploma in political education and development aid (DCDE). I have been working for the DESECE organization as a human rights officer since 2006. I was also trained and certified as a RAIN WORKER by THE RAIN WORKERS in 2016 and took on the role of supervisor coordinating a team of six RAIN WORKERS. Later in 2020, I was promoted to lead supervisor and liaison for the project, a position I still hold today. I have been a RAIN WORKER trainer since 2022

Human Rights Officer, Social worker

In 2015, I completed a diploma in social work and community development at Kibabii University. Since 2016, I have been working with the organization DESECE as a Human Rights Assistant. Since 2016, I have also been a RAIN WORKER and conducted outreaches in groups and schools. In 2023, I trained as a RAIN WORKER trainer and co-trained a group of 15 rainworkers in a beginner and advanced training course in West Pokot.

Social Worker

I am a qualified social worker and worked for THE RAIN WORKERS partner NGO mcfPanairobi in the slums of Mathare / Nairobi in Kenya from 2012-2022. I worked there as a project manager for school projects and trained as a RAIN WORKER in 2018. I then became a RAIN WORKER trainer in 2023. Now I work as a project coordinator at German Doctors Nairobi for the Linda Binti project in the slum of Korogocho / Nairobi.

Accountant

I am an accountant by profession, and a volunteer with Tukutane E.V. and a RAIN WORKER. As a RAIN WORKER, serving the community, spreading knowledge and skills is great. Knowledge that directs in making informed decisions regarding our health, family planning, sexual behavior etc. This has improved and make a different in my life and many in the communities.

Interim President, Organisational Development

Friedrich is an engineer for communication technology and worked in the fields of communication and space technology from 1978 to 2018. Since 2015, he has been offering his expertise as a psychosocial counsellor for life and meaning issues and supports people on their personal journey. Friedrich has been a volunteer for THE RAIN WORKERS in the area of organisational development since 2021 and is now Interim President.

Social pedagogue, fgm expert

Sicido comes from Somalia and is a qualified social pedagogue and committed activist against female genital mutilation (FGM). She works as a psychosocial counsellor at FEM Süd in the FGM/C Coordination Centre project. With her many years of expertise, she runs training courses and workshops on topics such as violence against women, prevention and empowerment of women and girls. Her focus is not only on individual support, but also on promoting social awareness and networking between professionals.

She also works in a specialised FGM outpatient clinic in Vienna, where she supports women and girls with psychosocial counselling and trauma work

With her tireless efforts, Sicido combines educational work, direct support and social change to make a powerful contribution to the fight against gender-based violence.

RAIN WORKER trainer, social pedagogue

Dagmar is a social pedagogue, psychologist, supervisor and organisational consultant with extensive experience in international contexts. She has completed numerous professional assignments abroad and has worked as a counsellor in India and South Africa. In South Africa, she also supervised volunteer assignments and supported their integration on site. As founder and director of the transcultural theatre group ‘Die Fremden’, she promotes intercultural exchange and understanding. She also contributed her expertise to the project work at KMG Ethiopia.

RAIN WORKER trainer, doctor

Jutta is a doctor and has been involved in international development co-operation for many years. She has been involved in various projects in India, Bangladesh and the Philippines, where she worked as a medical counsellor. Jutta has supervised projects in Kenya, Sudan and Senegal to improve local health care.

Social Impact Networking, Social Entrepreneuer

Martin focusses on topics such as sustainable growth, frugal innovation, circular economy and social entrepreneurship. In this role, he founded the Social Enterprise HELIOZ, is a founding member of the Social Entrepreneurship Network Austria (SENA) and on the board of the Global Compact Austria. Martin holds an MSc in International Business Engineering from the University of Applied Sciences Technikum Wien and is a trained coordinator for the Sustainable Development Goals.

Treasurer

Joachim works as a finance, donations and project manager at Amina, Aktiv für Menschen in Not, in Vienna. In this role, he is responsible for managing the organisation's financial resources, acquiring donations and developing and coordinating projects that support disadvantaged people. Joachim plays a key role in ensuring that the projects are implemented efficiently and sustainably.

RAIn WORKER Co-trainer, SOCIAL SCIENTIST

Katharina works at the intersection of international cooperation, gender equality and the protection of vulnerable groups. She currently works for UN Women in New York and previously gained professional experience at GIZ and NGOs at grassroots level, with a regional focus on East and Southeast Africa. She specialises in human rights and the impact of armed conflicts in the African context.