Elvis Simamvwa
Arukah Network is deeply saddened by the passing of Elvis Simamvwa.
Elvis was a father, husband, lover of community, and friend to the network. His wisdom and love for people inspired others to work together to improve their communities.
He was a long-standing member and pillar of Arukah in Zambia. He served as the Chisekesi Cluster lead and later as advisor to the Chisekesi, Monze, and Chabbaboma Clusters, and beyond. He was instrumental in establishing these Clusters, mentoring their leaders, and sharing powerful stories of community-led transformation.
In the mid-1980s, while working at Chikankata Hospital in Zambia, he and Dr. Ian Campbell helped pioneer and develop the SALT (Strengths, Appreciate, Listening, and Team) approach, which helped greatly during the AIDS epidemic. SALT remains at the heart of how Arukah engages with communities around the world.
Elvis was a wonderful storyteller, always recounting events from his past trips in great, comic detail and bringing laughter and joy to whoever was fortunate enough to be on the other end of the story.
He has left a profound legacy across Arukah and the world. We will miss Elvis, and we are encouraged that he is with the One he loved most, Jesus.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Grace, David, Janice, Tamara, and the entire family.
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