Tendai Makamure

Ruth First Scholar (2015-16)

Tendai Makamure is from Zimbabwe.

She graduated from the University of Zimbabwe in 2010 with a BSc in Occupational Therapy. She worked as a volunteer occupational therapist at the St Giles Medical Rehabilitation Centre in Harare and the Thusanani Foundation in South Africa, and at university led the Occupational Therapy Students’ Association, providing support for fellow students and engaging in advocacy for disabled students.

From 2010 to 2015 she was employed as an occupational therapist by the Zimbabwean government, and was head of the rehabilitation unit at Marondera Provincial Hospital. She specializes in community-based rehabilitation and has led a successful self-help initiative in the Marondera area.

At Durham, Tendai took an MSc in Public Policy and Global Health, which is taught at Durham University’s Queen’s Campus in Stockton-on-Tees. She was a member of St Chad’s College, which supports the Scholarship by providing subsidized accommodation for all Ruth First Scholars.

While she was in Durham, Tendai gave birth to a son, Munesu (Ed). Despite this interruption to her studies, she managed to complete her course, including a placement with Durham County Council, and passed with Merit.

Tendai returned to Zimbabwe with Ed. She aims to build a career in public health practice and research, and is hoping to do a PhD.

Update September 2017: “I started working in July on an HIV/Disability Project for an NGO called Africaid Zvandiri. I am responsible for offering support to children and adolescents living with HIV/AIDS. The support includes identifying children who develop impairments and ensuring that they get access to relevant health services. We also work with other government departments such as the Ministry of Education and Department of Social Services to ensure that the children’s education and welfare needs are addressed.”

In 2021, Tendai took up an International Volunteer position with WHO in Nairobi as an Infection Prevention Specialist.

Updated July 2021 Mike Thompson [email protected]

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