SPRING Partnership Lead
June 2020 will be exactly one year since I joined SAVTE. Covid-19 imposed lockdown is perfect timing to reflect on the road so far and think about the future. My journey into “development” and the charity sector started in 1990 while in university as a volunteer and (many years later) as a staff of a grassroots community organisation in Cameroon promoting education, rights and livelihoods of Mbororo cattle herders.
From there, I worked as Programmes Manager and CEO of Derbyshire-based international development charity, Village Aid, working in The Gambia, Sierra Leone, Ghana and Cameroon. I supported the development of projects and local organisations working with rural communities to address basic needs such as education, clean water, secured livelihoods, rights and justice.
I have found a strong “community” feel through everyone I have met in SAVTE. I have also met some amazing people and organisations committed to helping people who have come to live in Sheffield become empowered citizens through language skills and community development. SAVTE, gives us all (staff, volunteers and learners) an opportunity to make a difference in our local communities, the city and country at large.
I like books (my home is full of unread ones that I’m hanging on to jealously), sports (football and swimming mainly) and documentaries. I don’t like food and eating, I only eat because I have to. I cannot say the same for a cup of tea though!
