Treasure Janet Mandevu - Malawi

Treasure Janet Mandevu comes from a family that believes in teamwork to succeed, and Treasure has carried this value throughout her life.  

When she completed secondary school, she studied public health at the University of Livingstonia where she recalls doing intensive projects as part of her course work. After graduation, Treasure decided to pursue Geographical Information Systems (GIS)  and studied GIS courses from online.

She began her career doing data collection using mobile data collection tools like Survey 123, Arc collector, GPS Essentials, and ODK (Open Data Kit). Later she worked with GIS and remote sensing that involves the use of Geospatial mobile data collection tools for ground-truthing and drone (DJI Mavic pro 1) for capturing high-resolution aerial images on a horizontal communication project with UNICEF Malawi. In 2019, she decided to advance her drone skills by getting involved in flying VTOL (Vertical Take Off and Landing) Drones of Wing copter and Swoop Aero for bi-directional medical deliveries in transportation-challenged areas of Likoma and Chizumulu Islands on lake Malawi.

The skills she obtained opened new doors, including her enrollment into the African Drone and Data Academy. So far she has learned to build and maintain quadcopter drones, safety procedures needed to follow during drone operations, preparation of drone business plans services and mapping using drones.

Through ADDA, she plans to advance her skills in drones. In future, she plans to use drones in developing flood modelling that can help humanitarian organizations to warn people who live in flood-prone areas to prepare for natural disasters and her former job thus save lives and property. Treasure would also like to learn how to use drones in precision agriculture medical deliveries. “The lessons learnt have given me insights on how to set up my drone business once I leave the Academy.”

At the moment, she is setting up a drone business where she plans to use high-resolution DJI Mavic platinum drones for capturing aerial images for flood modelling to inform emergency preparedness and response activities in the country. She is also looking forward to working with organizations in need of a Drone Pilot focusing on any of the following: Using drones for Disaster or emergency preparedness and response, delivering medical goods and precision agriculture. This will help to create job opportunities for youths who are interested in ground-truthing and mapping.

“This will help both my community and children. The use of drones and GIS products for flood modelling to minimize loss of life and property in times of emergency will benefit both children and adults.”