AfriKids UK Staff

Georgie Fienberg is the Founder and International Director of AfriKids. Georgie has pioneered AfriKids’ unique approach to sustainable development through social entrepreneurship and investment partnering. As part of her work for AfriKids, Georgie advises and consults for NGOs and grant-giving foundations, both in the UK and on the ground in Africa. She is a regular speaker at the School of Social Entrepreneurs and at major corporate and third sector events, Chairman of the Clarins Women of the Year Committee, and the winner of the Charity Times Award for Outstanding Individual Achievement.

Georgie is involved in every element of AfriKids’ work and along with the Ghana Director and Head of Programmes and Strategy, guides the strategy for overall organisational development in collaboration with the UK and Ghana Senior Management Teams. Georgie plays a fundamental role in staff management, project oversight, finance, strategy, donor management, PR, marketing, business planning and devising organisational objectives and structure.

Prior to founding AfriKids as a registered charity Georgie spent five years building contacts and fundraising for projects in northern Ghana, following travel to West Africa in her gap year. When visiting Ghana, Georgie was inspired by the drive of local people to address poverty and the initiatives they run, as well as the misfit between large NGO's and the needs of beneficiaries on the ground. This became the rationale for Georgie's fundraising efforts and later the founding of AfriKids.

Andy joined AfriKids in 2006 as Programmes and Strategy Manager and is now Director of Ghana operations, within the UK. Andy is responsible for the oversight of Ghana performance and expenditure, collaborating with the local staff to develop improvements to project delivery and working practice. He also works with the International Director, Director for UK operations and Ghana Director, to create and implement the organisation's strategy, ensuring that AfriKids Ghana and AfriKids UK operation and strategy are aligned and complement each other. Andy's role involves him working closely with the team in Ghana and on average he spends three months of the year in Bolgatanga.

Andy has worked in the private sector in business process development and EMEA project management oversight. Before joining as a full-time member of staff, Andy volunteered for AfriKids in Ghana for four months where he focused on developing project and organisational sustainability initiatives. He holds a degree in International Relations and has spent time travelling in developing countries.

Sally joined AfriKids as a Trust Fundraiser in 2005 and is now Director of UK operations. She is responsible for overseeing all UK operations, including fundraising, administration and finance.

Sally plays a leading role in all AfriKids fundraising activities. She oversees the fundraising staff, interns and volunteers, manages relationships with many donors, develops the fundraising strategy and priorities, leads departmental planning and works closely with Ghana staff to ensure project procedures are in place to meet donor's feedback requirements. In addition Sally is responsible for all UK finance procedures and works very closely with the Head of Finance and Administration. On average Sally visits Ghana twice a year.

Above and beyond her fundraising duties Sally works closely with AfriKids Ghana to develop its ethical trade initiatives. These have so far included partnerships with designers SP Diffusion and Topshop, Craghoppers and cosmetics companies. These initiatives are now beginning to significantly impact upon the organisational sustainability of AfriKids Ghana.

Since joining AfriKids Sally has remained committed to her continuing professional development and is now an Institute of Fundraising certified Fundraising Manager and is studying towards a post graduate qualification in Development Management through the Open University.

Sally joined AfriKids as a full-time member of staff straight after graduating from university, where she studied for her degree in International Relations. Whilst at university, Sally volunteered for AfriKids both in the UK and in Ghana and she has travelled extensively to developing countries.

'Working for AfriKids gives me the unique opportunity of encountering the kindness, the genuine and the inspirational in people everyday. I feel very lucky that I get to both see the incredible ways in which the people involvolved with our projects put money to good use, and to show donors in the UK the impact their generosity has had.' - Sally

After qualification Gareth worked as a Financial Accountant in industries ranging from confectionery to aluminium extrusion. He then swapped disciplines and worked for over 20 years as a Senior Management Accountant with an international telecommunications company. He is the Executive Financial Director of a firm of accountants, based in the Thames Valley. In 2010, towards the end of a long career, he joined Afrikids as their Finance & Programmes Manager and fulfilled his dream of working in the charitable sector. Gareth has been a regional treasurer of the Save the Children Fund, has completed numerous long-distance cycle rides under the umbrella of his charitable association ‘3 men on a square’ and is an ardent Liverpool supporter.

Nick Eastcott is chair of AfriKids (UK) Medical Advisory Board and thanks to the Vodafone World of Difference programme is a full time member of AfriKids staff for 12 months working as our Healthcare Project Manager. Nick has more than 30 years experience of health care management in a variety of settings including UK teaching hospitals, N.H.S. community services and acute hospitals in the Middle East. Since taking voluntary early retirement in 2006 Nick has been working with AfriKids in a voluntary capacity, bringing his wealth of experience to our healthcare delivery. During his 12 months with us full time Nick is leading the creation of a strategic development plan for our medical centre and is establishing a formal link between AfriKids, Ghana Health Services, (Upper East Region) and Southampton University Hospitals’ Trust that will see vital skills training brought to the Upper East of Ghana. Nick is a devoted traveller, photographer, sea kayaker and walker but sadly is another passionate Liverpool supporter.

Liam has been with AfriKids since 2008 when he joined as a fundraiser. Now UK Operations Manager, he is responsible for much of the UK-focussed activities of the organisation; fundraising, administration and overseeing the day to day operations of the UK office. Liam has over four years of fundraising experience and has firsthand experience of all of AfriKids’ projects having spent time in Ghana with the staff and beneficiaries. He holds an undergraduate degree in English and a Masters in creative writing, and has previous experience of working overseas.

Lissa joined the AfriKids fundraising team at the beginning of August 2008. Before joining AfriKids Lissa worked in fundraising for just under a year, after changing her career focus from promotions and media. Her work at AfriKids revolves around the organisation of events, external fundraising and the production of AfriKids’ marketing material. She visited Ghana for the first time in April 2009.

Katie joined Afrikids at the beginning of March this year (2010) as Assistant to the International Director and will be providing a comprehensive support service on a wide range of internal and external affairs. Katie has worked with families, children and young people on a voluntary basis for two years and has a year’s experience in fundraising.

Prior to joining Afrikids, Katie worked for a communications consultancy where she assisted with the management of a variety of public sector social marketing campaigns.

Charlie developed an interest in the third sector while volunteering with the Cleft Lip and Palate Association during her university years. She has nearly 10 years of retail experience, including a focus on organic and ethical sourcing, which taught her more about fair trade and the impact of international relations on grassroots producers. She pursued her growing interests in development and trade while volunteering with VSO in 2009, which included 3 months living in Bolga. This is where she discovered AfriKids (and became very familiar with the Medical Centre!). Immediately inspired by their work in the community, she volunteered her time to the Fresh Start pyjama project during the planning and production stages. On her return to London she was delighted to join the team as an ethical trade intern, just as the finished Fresh Start range was arriving! Now the AfriKids Ethical Trade (UK) Officer, Charlie continues to drive sales of the Fresh Start range, as well as the development of AfriKids Ethical Trade in the UK.

Ama joined the Afrikids team at the end of February 2010 as the UK Operations Assistant. Before joining Afrikids Ama worked in the Arts and Cultural sector for five years after graduating with a degree in Performing Arts and Arts Management. She worked extensively with young people and marginalised communities to use the arts for social change. After a change in career focus she is currently studying human rights. Her work at Afrikids will revolve around supporting the Afrikids team to ensure the smooth delivery of fundraising and administrative activities.