Meet The Team.
David Dowie
Founder~ Head Counselor
G’day it’s not to be too mawkish but from a very young age I always knew it was to be a life of hard measures, being brought up in a single-parent household by an extremely courageous, kind, loving and nurturing mother who struggled to provide for us materially reinforced this fact.
My struggles with substance abuse started at the tender age of 15. I remained on this hamster wheel of self-annihilation for 3 unbroken decades.
After one too many encounters with the law in Melbourne Australia where I lived for twenty years, I was sentenced to a lengthy term of incarceration. As tough and unforgiving as this was I refused to let this seemingly intractable challenge defeat me. With the unwavering support and love of my late partner Josephine, we decided this would be a golden opportunity for me to gain a deeper understanding of myself and greater insights into compassion, and empathy towards human suffering by engaging in rigorous studies of the humanities and reacquainting myself with spirituality. Essentially I used prison as a laboratory to gain a better grasp of human frailty, particularly addiction. It’s been seventeen glorious years of sobriety without so much as a slip, lapse or relapse.
I have been back home in Zimbabwe for five years now. Through one-on-one and group counselling sessions and engagement with the wider drinking and drugging populations I methodically and systematically worked out how to tackle this ever-growing menace in our midst. In the main I use CBT, DBT, ACT, human-based philosophical approaches and spiritual treatment modalities. This large toolbox enables me to tailor individual solutions for my clients.
Presently all my clients are outpatients whom I help overcome addiction issues and navigate the stressors and strains of life as it unfolds and that which stands in the way of sobriety. All this is done whilst being surrounded by their loved ones and the familiar, as opposed to being warehoused and cut off from reality.
Evangelia Demetriou
Co-founder
Vange is the co-founder and major donor of ArtNeo Recovery Centre. Born and raised in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, she initially pursued a successful career in Health & Beauty Therapy, owning a thriving business and school while also serving as an examiner in the field. Her life took a turn when she married an Oncologist-Hematologist, leading them to relocate to Cyprus due to the unavailability of cancer and HIV treatments in Zimbabwe and to assist him in establishing a practice on Oncology in Cyprus where she accompanied him on home visits as he didn’t speak Greek.
During these home visits, Vange realized the lack of education regarding cancer in her local community where cancer was viewed as a stigma and a contagious disease and also given the fact that her mother had passed away from breast cancer when she was 15 years old, inspired her to co-found a charity to address the neglected Paphos District cancer sufferers by ensuring cancer patients have access to essential care.
In 2020, she and her brother George generously donated their family home in Bulawayo to establish the ArtNeo Recovery Centre, named in honor of her beloved parents and to demonstrate their love for Zimbabwe and its people. Vange and George hope to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those battling addiction in Zimbabwe just as Vange did for cancer patients in Cyprus.
Gilbert Cooper
Outreach Vocational Programs
Gilbert’s passion for social cohesion stems from have watched his mother single handedly provide for him and his siblings this inspiring example of strength of character instilled in him a willingness to assist those doing it tough wherever possible.
Decades of experience in the construction industry specialising in the electrical field and a keen interest in DIY with a heavy leaning towards technology are some of the tangible skills he hopes to share with our disaffected youth.
He also brings a firm grasp of western philosophy to the table, however Gilbert’s crowning achievement is being a dedicated husband and father.
Mrs Lynette Munk
Psychiatric nurse
Lynette Munk has 11 years of experience as a Psychiatric nurse she possesses a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Lynette presently works with the marginalized, trivialized and stigmatized in other words the least among us.
She works mostly with adult patients who have mental health issues ranging from Substance Use Disorder, Depression, Anxiety, Psychosis, Bipolar and Schizophrenia by making them feel heard and accepted as valuable and lovable members of the human family. She goes where other health professionals fear to tread.
Presently she works in outpatient settings with families and individuals providing psychoeducation on how to cope with mental illness, crisis management and pharmacological issues. Given Lynette’s wealth of experience and knowledge, she is one of the most valued members of team ArtNeo.
Colette Andrew
Coach
Colette Andrew is a highly accomplished author, female philanthropist and the proud founder of Jack Andrew Foundation. Her passion for making a positive impact in the world has driven her to dedicate her life to helping others through her charitable initiatives. Born and raised in humble Bulawayo (Matabeleland South, Zimbabwe) Colette’s journey to success has been an inspiration to many.
Under Colette’s leadership, “The Jack Andrew Foundation” has grown into a prominent charity that focuses on improving education and healthcare for underprivileged communities. Through this organization, she has initiated numerous programs and projects that have brought about significant positive changes in the lives of those in need.
Colette firmly believes in the power of education to break the cycle of poverty and transform lives. She has actively worked toward providing quality education to children from disadvantaged backgrounds, building schools, and providing scholarships. Her dedication to improving healthcare access, drug abuse has also resulted in the establishment of medical clinics and the provision of essential medical supplies to remote areas.
Colette’s passion for making a difference in the world is unwavering. She aims to expand the reach of “Jack Andrew Foundation” and collaborate with other organizations such as ARTNEO to create lasting change. Colette believes that by empowering individuals and communities, she can help foster a brighter and more equal future for everyone.
Mr Herbert Tangani
Financial Officer
Mr Herbert Tangani is an accountant by profession, currently, he is a managing director at his own business that provides business secretarial services and is also a manager at an independent commission in Zimbabwe.
He has also played a consultancy role in Uganda and has been an Administrative officer at a major rehabilitation hospital in Zimbabwe.
We are privileged to have someone like Mr Tangani and his wealth of knowledge on Accountancy and Administration.
Priscilla Cooper
Events Manager
Priscilla Cooper is currently serving under the Irish Missions in Lagos Nigeria (Consulate and Embassy respectively) she is a personal Coordinator and Events Manager. Her expertise comes from 20 years’ experience in the Hospitality Industry.
She previously worked for Sun-international South Africa, where she Spearheaded all CRM programs in Sun-City South Africa, Swaziland, Namibia, Lesotho, and Botswana. She eventually joined Hospitality Dynamics UAE. Because of her marketing and communication skills, she was employed in other CRM programs in Makati Philippines, Abu Dhabi UAE to mention a few.
Priscilla has been actively involved in a number of NGOs in Nigeria, one of her greatest achievements in the 8 years she has been in Nigeria was building a school commissioned by the Governor Fashola for the under privileged in a slum called Ikota.
Priscilla heads the charity division of the South African Women’s group in Lagos and was Nominated as the Chairlady of the group. Her position overseas all aspects of the organization. She is actively involved in the largest West African Women’s NGO called Small World.
Priscilla would like to leave a lasting legacy that will impact her family, community and the world at large. She loves traveling, and pretty much most outdoor activities.
