The Umoyo Orphan Project Committee

Chris Kitson, Graham Laing, Sarah Mtonga, Geoff Waterhouse, Sarah Amon

 

Chris Kitson (Fundraiser & Committee Member)

I am now retired and live in Weybridge, after a working lifetime spent initially in engineering, but mainly in property development and sales.

Since a teenager I have always enjoyed a wide variety of voluntary work and fund-raising activities, so in 2006, I was delighted to accept Sarah Mtonga's invitation to assist her in developing UOP into a registered charity. I feel that we are continuing to build a great team of Trustees, volunteers and supporters, with whom I enjoy working.

My 3 week visit to Malawi (entirely at my own expense) in July/August 2009 working alongside the villagers, proved to me,that all the money we raise is spent on projects which not only improve the quality of life for the villagers, but also enables and empowers them to help themselves - something which I feel is extremely important; and gives them the responsibility to continue the work which we set up and fund.

This 'hands-on' experience of living and working with the people of Njebwa certainly convinced me to make UOP my 'retirement project'.

Graham Laing (Trustee)

After leaving school at 17, a period in the Armed Forces gave me the opportunity to travel quite widely.

In 1977 I joined the London Fire Brigade, leaving after many happy years to be with the Royal Household Fire Service based at Buckingham Palace. There I have been encouraged to write reports about my involvement with the Umoyo Orphan Project for the Royal Intranet site.

Visits to Malawi have made me realise the need for more involvement not just for me, but more importantly for the children and people I had met while there.

Please see Sarah's story under the Umoyo Founder section.

Geoff Waterhouse (Committee Member)

I retired in early 2011 having spent 42 years as a civil servant, the last position as Senior Policy Advisor in the Corporate Equality Division of the Ministry of Justice.

I am a Methodist local preacher and am South London Regional Coordinator for the World Community for Christian Meditation. I have a small allotment and enjoy playing table tennis. I am very committed to the work of Umoyo and believe strongly in all that it is doing. I enjoy working with a very capable and dedicated team.

I work for Chandler Chicco (UK) Ltd who are the largest Healthcare PR Agency in the world. Prior to this I have worked in a variety of industries as an Accountant. I was first asked to join the committee in October 2008 as the Accountant for the charity. I have since been made a Trustee. I am interested in the charity as I can see the positive and lasting effect that it is having on this community and want to be able to bring that kind of change to other communities within Malawi.

For more information about the charity, please contact us on info@umoyoorphanproject.org

 

Umoyo Orphan project was registered as a charity in England & Wales in 2008

Registered charity No 1124720