The Nyawa United Project Team
Nyawa United was founded in 2019 by Amy, Anette, Annet, and Amon, who met while working together at a non-governmental organisation (NGO) in Livingstone, Zambia. United by a shared commitment to community development and gender equality, they laid the foundation for what would become Nyawa United.
Since then, the team has grown with the addition of dedicated volunteers. Patience and Kinglord joined us in Zambia in 2022 and 2023, bringing local knowledge and passion to the project. In 2025, Silje became part of the team as a volunteer based in Norway.
We are all volunteers, working together across borders to create opportunities for girls and women through sports, health, and educational programmes.
Under a mango tree sheltering from the scorching African sun in January 2019, Annet came up with the idea of sending a girls’ team to Norway Cup. The rest is history.
The Team
Co-founder
Amy-Kristine Andersen
Amy-Kristine Andersen worked in Zambia from August 2018 to February 2020 on a project raising awareness on gender-based violence in rural and urban areas in the Southern Province.
She has a strong commitment towards human rights and gender equality and has worked for several international organisations.
Amy holds an MSc in Globalisation and Development from SOAS University of London and a BA Hons in International Relations from The University of Nottingham.
Co-founder
Annet Sonko
Annet Sonko is an Ugandan citizen, a teacher, and a passionate advocate in sports for development, with a special focus on girls' participation and leadership in sports.
Previously, Annet worked with CHRISC Uganda between 2008 - 2014 as a Coordinator for HIV/AIDS.
She is currently working as a Sports Coordinator at Response Network. Annet holds a BSc degree in Project Management from the Victoria Falls University, Zambia.
Co-founder
Amon Kasweka
Amon Kasweka is a Zambian citizen. He was part of the Youth Sports Exchange Program to Norway in 2012. He strongly believes that sports work as a tool to sharpen the lives of youths through movement and activity, games and sports drills. In addition, sports are an important arena to address issues such as gender-based violence (GBV), HIV/AIDS, sports misconduct and other health related issues.
Amon has studied Sports Science and has acquired wider knowledge and skills on sports for development and has a strong belief in the self-help approach.
Co-founder
Anette Kristoffersen
Anette Kristoffersen was part of the Youth Sports Exchange Program from 2018-2019 in Zambia. She has been working to promote gender equality and the rights of women and girls through sports and community engagement. Her experience includes over 10 years at Norway Cup, as well as a group leader for the Lillehammer Youth Olympic Games in 2016.
Anette holds an MA in Sport and International Development from the University of Brighton, and a BA in International Relations with History from the Lillehammer University College.
Volunteer in Norway
Silje Vatne
Silje holds a BA Hons in International Relations and a Master’s Degree in Development Studies. She has a strong passion for gender equality, and believes in the self-help approach to community development.
Having been a long-time supporter of the project, Silje is excited and grateful to be contributing more directly to Nyawa United’s mission.
Curious by nature, Silje never leaves home without her headphones — always ready to dive into her daily news podcasts while on the go.
Volunteer in Zambia
Patience Sitali
Patience is from the rural village Mambova, in the Kazungula District. In 2018 she was selected to be a sports volunteer at Response Network. She went on a Youth Sports Exchange program to Malawi in 2019 to facilitate sport activities. Part of the training was done in Norway.
Patience is certified in psychosocial counseling. Being a sports woman herself, she says that when dealing with challenges, being a counselor helps talking about issues like child abuse, mental health problems, couple counseling, HIV/AIDS testing and counseling.