Tembeni Fazo

Ms. Fazo is a peer counselor at African Services where she facilitates daily workshops for the Independent Living Skills program and serves as a counselor and educator for the HIV positive African and Caribbean immigrants we serve. “Having gone through the ordeal of testing positive in 2001, I accumulated the strength, compassion, courage and wisdom to enhance the life of others living with HIV,” she says. Tembeni is also involved in African Services’ HIV Stigma Initiative, which uses innovative media strategy to reduce discrimination against people living with HIV and build leadership in communities most affected. Tembeni brings to her advocacy work previous experience as a peer counselor at the New Life Post Test Center in Harare, Zimbabwe where she received her certificate in HIV/AIDS counseling. In 2006, she took part in Zimbabwe’s first national anti-stigma campaign and appeared on billboards, radio and television across the country. She is a member of the U.S. Positive Women’s Network, the International Community of Women and a founding member of Thembinkosi Support Group in Harare. Originially from Harare, Tembeni settled in New York City in 2008. She speaks Shona, as well as English.

Sumaiya Ahmed

Sumaiya Ahmed is the intake paralegal in African Services' legal services program and an advocate for clients in matters of housing, immigration, discrimination, and domestic violence. Before joining African Services, she interned with other holistic social services organizations, including the Bronx Defenders and Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee (BRAC) in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Sumaiya holds a BA in history from Columbia College, Columbia University, where she studied post-colonial relations between Africa and France. She speaks Bengali, Hindi and French, in addition to English, and is studying Arabic.

Simone Burrell

Sonia Ndiaye

Ms. Ndiaye is a medical interpreter, facilitating communication between immigrant patients and their health care providers. She works with African Services' clients helping them access the health care system, accompanying them on medical appointments throughout the city, providing medical interpretation and serving as a patient advocate. She also works on behalf of African Services in the prenatal clinic at Bronx Lebanon Hospital interpreting for at-risk women. Prior to joining African Services, Sonia worked in the international travel business. A native of Senegal, she speaks Wolof and French, in addition to English.