Her Story
About Lumbie
JB Dondolo, Inc. was founded in 2012 by Lumbie Mlambo as a nonprofit organization to honor her father’s legacy of addressing the lack of basic necessities in underserved communities—challenges that disproportionately affect women and girls. Guided by this legacy, the organization exists to empower communities everywhere to lead change with dignity.
Over time, the organization's work has evolved, and sharpened their our mission to focus on the most critical community needs. Today, the primary focus is on technology-enabled solutions in water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) that advance health, equity, and sustainable impact.
JB Dondolo does not pursue scale for its own sake. It aspires to be a good humanitarian organization—one that empowers communities and endures for generations. Its goal is to build JB Dondolo to last for 105 years.
By 2045, the organization aims to:
- Reach and positively impact 50 million people through community-led solutions
- Catalyze 10 million livelihoods and jobs, driven by inclusive technology and innovation
- Reduce extreme poverty by at least 50% in targeted rural communities by expanding access to dignity, opportunity, and essential resources.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Lumbie
01What do you attribute your success to?
My success comes from a deep sense of curiosity and a commitment to personal growth. I constantly push myself to learn more and become better at what I do, not just for my own advancement but so that I can inspire others to challenge themselves and reach higher. I may not learn everything, but I lead by example through continuous learning.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
I was advised to follow my heart because it never lies. Choosing a career based on passion rather than pressure has allowed me to grow with purpose and stay true to who I am.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice is to choose a path that speaks to your heart. Passion fuels excellence, and purpose sustains you through challenges. Charity and community work demand compassion, empathy, and patience, so stay curious, keep learning, and don’t be afraid to lead with kindness. If this work aligns with who you are, then pursue it boldly.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The greatest challenge in my work is accessing funding, particularly as an emerging organization competing with well-established players. However, this has pushed me to think creatively and build alternative funding models that allow our projects to move forward without delay.
What excites me most is the opportunity to innovate. With the rise of Artificial Intelligence and new technologies, we can create smarter, more inclusive water solutions. Climate-H2O, the innovation we are developing with JB Dondolo and our partners, represents a breakthrough in the water sector by being affordable, accessible, and community-centered. It is the project I look forward to deploying in 2026 to serve vulnerable communities lacking clean water.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Being true to myself and staying grounded in my values is essential to both my work and personal life. I embrace who I am with pride and treat others with respect and openness, regardless of their background or origin. I believe everyone is created uniquely for a reason, and those differences should be celebrated rather than divided.
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