Team

Rayka Gerberding-Kobiella

“Akiiki”

Founder & Director

An author, activist and trained anthropologist. Together with her late husband Jonas she fell in love with the region and decided to reside here. The plan was to build an artist residency based on their own experience travelling as a writer-painter couple. After Jonas’s sudden death in 2019, Rayka decided to stay in Kyakataama. Becoming part of the community that supported her in her loss, she gained a deeper insight into the needs of the village, and out of that the idea of a Cultural Community Center grew.

Vicent Asaba Zungu

“Amooti”

Management Assistant

Zungu joined Toonda in 2018, even before it was born. He was working as a boda driver at the time and supported Rayka and Jonas with the school-going project Smart Kyakataama right away. His potential and skills were obvious, and he worked his way up to become Assistant Manager. Zungu is responsible for 60 kids at Smart Kyakataama.

“I love Toonda and especially Smart Kyakataama. Any donation is welcome.”

Brenda Kakyo

“Ateenyi”

Assistant

Brenda joined Toonda in November 2019. She is in charge of counseling the women empowerment group department, and volunteers in gardening at the Community Garden.

“I am a product of Toonda. I was educated by Toonda and and now I’m trained in house management, running kasana guesthouse and toonda cottage for Toonda, started the Toonda Daycare Bright Babies of Toonda and trying to give back to the community as much as I can.”

Sophia & Michi Drs

“Ateenyi” & “Araali”

Assistant / Volunteer

Michi first came to Toonda in 2020 and built the stage. He is our much-loved handyman and tree climber. Sophia traveled out in July 2021 and fell in love with the centre as well – the sporty biologist constructed the volleyball pitch at Toonda and organises the volleyball competitions.

“For us TOONDA means family. From the beginning we felt very welcomed and accepted by the community of Kyakataama – a place full of inspiration.”

Ulla Rieck

Consultant Librarian / Volunteer

Ulla met Rayka in the fifth grade at school, where they bonded over dreams of saving the environment and discovering the world. She studied Library and Information Science at the University of Applied Sciences in Cologne. Her first job took her to London, where she spent seven years working for various organisations including the German Historical Institute and the Goethe-Institute. About ten years ago she moved to Finland, where she now works as a librarian at the Central Library Oodi in Helsinki.