Why children go hungry from a lack of clean water
If children are malnourished, a lack of food isn't always to blame, explains Jean-Baptiste Kamate.
Dr Jean Baptiste Kamate (JBK)
Chief Field Operations Officer
"My personal experiences of poverty and my desire for greater equality inform how I make decisions as I lead our global field operations."
With more than 25 years’ experience managing humanitarian and development programmes, JBK oversees World Vision’s field work in 75 countries in Asia, Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, the Middle East and Eastern Europe. This includes VisionFund International, a World Vision subsidiary network of 28 microfinance institutions.
JBK has worked in programmes for the American Embassy in Mali, and held several executive roles in World Vision, leading regional operations across West Africa, and East Africa, and country programmes in Mali, Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda.
JBK has an MBA from Eastern University (USA) and a Doctorate from Regent University in Virginia Beach (USA). He is a member of the Board of Directors of VisionFund International.
Born in Mali, JBK is married, has two children and currently lives in London. His deep commitment to overcome poverty and injustice is driven by his upbringing and passion for the world’s poorest people and the blessings he believes they have to offer.
Follow JBK on Twitter @jb_kamate
Read articles by JBK
I Saw Poverty for the First Time in the Desert
Dr. Jean Baptiste Kamante, reflects on his time with World Vision, coming face-to-face with poverty and how...
Bottled, still, sparkling, filtered, tap… the blessing of choice
Lifelong ambassador for the wonder of clean water, JBK reflects on the injustice, inequality, and possibilities of...
Time to pick up the vaccine pace
The vaccine race is on – and it’s clearly not a fair one, says JBK as he reflects...
How can we help when we have no access?
The space for humanitarians to respond to people in need is under threat, JBK explores the impact...
How I find peace amid turmoil
JBK reflects on the role we can all play to live out peace, regardless of where we...
The food that is #MoreThanAMeal to me
On World Food Day, JBK recalls his favourite childhood food – and how it makes him feel, to...
Safeguarding: How to be the change we need to see
To mark our annual Safeguarding Awareness Week, JBK reflects on the importance of reporting incidents of abuse...
Why I take poverty personally
Amid a global pandemic and unprecedented levels of displacement, JBK reflects on issues that lie at the...