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Breaking the cycle of poverty

About Us

Meet The Team

Charity Director

NameNancy Hunt
Current Occupation

Director Of The Nasio Trust

Previous Experience or Occupations
  • Venus Awards: 2015 UK Inspirational Woman award
  • Venus Awards 2014: Oxfordshire Inspirational Woman award
  • Thames Valley Police: Leadership and development team
  • Oxford County Council: County Domestic Violence Co-ordinator
  • Open University 2017:  Awarded an honorary doctorate for services to the educationally underprivileged
  • Reading University 2023: Awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Reading in recognition for the work of The Nasio Trust
When You Joined the Team

Nancy set up The Nasio Trust with her husband Jonathan in 2001.

Personal Statement

My mother, Irene, founded the original day care center after finding an abandoned baby in a sugar-field plantation. Whilst visiting in 2000 I couldn’t help but be touched by the plight of Moses and other children like him and decided to fundraise in the UK on my return. My husband Jonathan and I founded the UK arm of the Nasio Trust and I am now Director of the charity. The amazing thing is to see something so positive that started with just one child, found in a sugar cane field.

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UK Staff & Volunteers

NameHarriet Thomas
Current Occupation

Social Media Assistant for The Nasio Trust (volunteer).

Previous Experience or Occupations

Retired teacher of P.E and health & social care.

When You Joined the Team

I started volunteering with Nasio in 2014 as a youth leader – fundraising and organising group trips to Kenya.   We visited as a family in 2019 – ran school music workshops and built a cowshed and a rainwater collection system for our sponsored child’s family. I responded to the call for help during the pandemic and began posting stories on social media in the summer of 2020.

Personal Statement

Visiting the Nasio community in Kenya made me feel passionate about the work they do. I am proud to be part of a team that makes a real difference.

NameOllie Johnson
Current Occupation

Assistant Programme and Administration Officer

Previous Experience or Occupations

I graduated from the University of Birmingham in 2022 with a degree in History

When You Joined the Team

I joined the team in August 2022

Personal Statement

I’m looking forward to making a genuine difference with the amazing charity that The Nasio Trust is. Anything to do with child sponsorship, opportunities with the charity, or general queries, please do not hesitate in getting in contact with me!

NameJack Brucker
Current Occupation

Grant Administrator

Previous Experience or Occupations

Before starting with Nasio, I was working as an Editorial Assistant for an online education company and worked on producing curriculum-based history content for school children in the UK and US.

When You Joined the Team

I joined Nasio in February 2020.

Personal Statement

I have had the pleasure of knowing both Nancy personally and the work of The Nasio Trust for more than ten years now. However, working for the charity over these past two difficult years has shown me how truly vital Nasio’s work is, also how deeply passionate the UK and Kenyan teams continue to be in delivering it. It is a privilege to be able to add my own contribution to the charity’s great work.

NameDivya Godbole
Current Occupation

Programme Officer

Previous Experience or Occupations

Student at University of Oxford

When You Joined the Team

I joined Nasio in August 2022.

Personal Statement

I interned with the Nasio Trust in 2021, and am now very excited to contribute to the charity’s objectives in this new capacity.

NameAdam Tarry
Current Occupation

Digital Design

Previous Experience or Occupations

I currently work in data for Specsavers by day, and look after the Nasio Trust’s website & design interests on evenings and weekends. Since leaving university I’ve worked a broad spectrum of roles from tele-sales and customer service, to eCommerce at an online beauty retailer. (I also really like going in the sea!)

When You Joined the Team

I began working with Nasio around 2007.

Personal Statement

Being able to be a small part of the incredible work undertaken by the Nasio Trust is a privilege and an honour. They truly are changing lives.

NameEmma Lerche-Thomsen
Current Occupation

Supporter Relations Manager

Previous Experience or Occupations

I worked for 20 years for the BBC in many production teams working behind the scenes on a variety of programmes from Drama to Documentaries.

Personal Statement

Hello, I’m Emma and I love working with Nancy Hunt and the team at The Nasio Trust. The  purpose of my role at Nasio, is to ensure we continue to build on the relationships we have with our  loyal friends, child sponsors and business partners. Working together we can continue to raise funds and volunteer support which in turn benefits the lives of our children.

NameKeith Butler
Current Occupation

Part time Financial Controller of the Nasio Trust

Previous Experience or Occupations

Finance Director, Fish Brothers (Holdings) Ltd

When You Joined the Team

So long ago I can’t remember!

Personal Statement

I’m a Chartered Accountant and retired as FD of a large privately owned company in 2021. I’m very pleased to be able to help the charity make a positive difference to so many young lives.

NameJonathan Peter James Hunt
Current Occupation

Treasurer

Previous Experience or Occupations

Current Director at Expert Wealth Management, Co-founder of the Nasio Trust Treasurer of the Trust before becoming the current Chairman.

In my professional life I have a successful Oxfordshire Based Financial Planning Business, Expert Wealth Management. A Chartered Financial Planner and Fellow of the Personal Finance Society. Jonathan has also completed the Investment Management Certificate and Level 1 of the Chartered Financial Analyst. Find out more about Jonathan’s work as a financial planner here.

When You Joined the Team

Jonathan Hunt set up The Nasio Trust with his wife Nancy in 2001.

Personal Statement

Starting the Charity when we only had 5 faithful supporters each contributing £10 per month into an account to support the only first 15 orphans, it is truly amazing what has come out of this small band of people who wanted to make a difference with the little they had. Because of them the trust now supports over 300 orphans & vulnerable children. That is simply amazing. Above all though I have been privileged to see God’s miracles happening at first hand. That can only build and strengthen one’s Faith.

Trustees

NameVictor Odhuno Nyanga
Current Occupation

Chairman, Nasio Kenya Board of Trustees.

CEO of a level four hospital in Kenya.

Previous Experience or Occupations

Entrepreneur.

When You Joined the Team

2018

Personal Statement

Having worked as a healthcare provider for several years, my greatest fulfilment has been to see my patients get better health wise or restore their hope for a better tomorrow. Joining Nasio Trust, a charitable organization, as a board member and eventually as the Kenyan Board chairman, has granted me the undeniable opportunity to not only impact lives positively, but to do so in the most compassionate way I can.

Together as a team we will create a difference with humanity.

NameDominic Flitcroft
Current Occupation

Visiting Fellow in education at the University of Reading

Previous Experience or Occupations

I am a retired civil servant. I worked at the Department for Education for most of my career in various roles. These included education policy on further education and EU and international education focused on the use of ICT in schools. I have also been chair of governors of a primary school. I have also been an education consultant working on education policy and helping charitable groups setting up new schools.

When You Joined the Team

I joined in spring 2021.

Personal Statement

I have supported Nasio for the past 5 years after my son first visited Kenya as a volunteer. I have experience with educational governance and school budgeting. I am delighted to become a trustee and hope my experience of international education challenges and opportunities will be helpful to Nasio.

NameAmber Vetta
Current Occupation

Consulting Analyst at Mercer

Previous Experience or Occupations

2017-2020: BA, University of Warwick
2020- 2021: MA, University of Warwick

I have had experience in publishing, accounting and education before joining the Nasio team.

When You Joined the Team

I joined the team in November 2021.

 

 

Personal Statement

I am passionate about the importance of equal access to education for everyone. Once I heard about Nasio’s educational projects and future plans, I knew I wanted to get involved. The work that Nasio does is inspiring. Nancy and the team’s close contact with communities in Kenya and focus on sustainable development means one person can make a big difference.

There is more to do and I am excited that I get to work with the team and volunteers to develop the charity’s future and help change many more lives.

NameGareth Bown
Current Occupation

Owner at Gareth Lawrence Accounting & Bookkeeping

Previous Experience or Occupations

I have worked in accountancy from the age of 16 working in both small and large practices. After qualifying, I started my own practice in April 2019 and have been on a mission to help small businesses understand their finances ever since.

When You Joined the Team

I joined Nasio in 2020, shortly after starting to advise on an update in accounting processes.

Personal Statement

While I find the work my business does incredibly rewarding I’ve always felt I could do more to help wider society. When I got introduced to the charity I knew this was a cause I could get behind and really make a massive difference to some amazing people. Nancy is an incredible person and the charity is under fantastic leadership. I am so glad to be a part of this journey.

I love adventure! Every year I go on a cycle tour with my father. In 2019 we did the biggest trip yet, cycling and wild camping from northern France to Valencia.

NameViolet Bukusi
Current Occupation

Nasio Kenya Board of Trustees
Director, Management Decision Information, Consultancy Services, Kenya
Principal, Leadership Academy, Kenya

Previous Experience or Occupations

In February 1990, I embarked on a teaching career in Western Kenya for a several years before joining an audit consultancy firm providing administrative support. I was later briefly involved in company secretarial work before joining the NGO sector where I worked for over 20 years in different capacities gaining varied exposure in program administration and management, program implementation and ultimately to providing international consultancy services in policy advocacy and data use.

When You Joined the Team

Having heard the good work about Nasio Project over the years and my two adult children volunteering for internship with the project, I eventually joined as an guest during the October 2018 Board Meeting and volunteered to serve on the Kenya Trustees Board in March 2019.

Personal Statement

Nasio Trust’s Mission, “Changing Lives for Good” creates an ideal match for my involvement with the Program. Empowering communities in Western Kenya to break the cycle of poverty has provided me an opportunity to put into practice my life mission; “Service to Humanity”. The opportunity to serve the Vulnerable Orphans and Widows building on a legacy from my family heritage – Irene Mdenyo, my Grandmother and Matriarch to the Project, offering them hope and sustenance, is my passion and driving force to contribute in a small way. I’m proud to be a part of this great work and trust that Nasios’ light will blaze brighter as we pull our resources together for good.

NameLilian Onoriode
Current Occupation

Clinical Psychologist in the NHS

Previous Experience or Occupations

I have been working as a Clinical Psychologist for the last nineteen years I have been working for the NHS Trust offering psychological assessments and interventions and have experience and a track record of promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable people. This is within multi-disciplinary teams within different services and in community settings. I have experience in providing speciality psychological assessment of referred clients based upon appropriate use, interpretation, and integration of complex data from psychological and neurology psychological testing. I have worked with adults, their families, carers and support systems to facilitate psychological assessments and interventions. I specialise in working with people with learning disabilities and have extensive experience in the field of mental health. I have previously undertaken several assessments of persons suffering from learning disabilities from rural villages of Kutch district of Gujarat and other parts of India. I am currently working as Clinical Psychologist with the Berkshire National Health Trust Health Trust. I am HCPC registered.

When You Joined the Team

I was one of the co-founders

Personal Statement

It has been an incredible journey and wonderful opportunity to work with the Trust. My experience has been most enriching as the work resonates centrally with my core values. I am born and raised in Kenya and am a practising Christian. The work with orphans and widow is centred on my Christian faith to support the underprivileged. It has given me an invaluable opportunity to contribute to the community that I originally come from and hold dear to my heart.

NameDr. Erica Carotenuto
Current Occupation

Product Manager at RM Results

Previous Experience or Occupations

I have been working in Publishing (Education sector) in various roles for over fifteen years; I have a passion for Technology and Organisational Change. I am a very keen Yoga practitioner and passionate about the World and Environment.

When You Joined the Team

I officially joined Nasio in 2020, but my husband has been sponsoring a child for the last couple of years, and we have been admiring Nancy and her work since he first met her during a Golf Day in 2018!

Personal Statement

It is a great honour for me to be welcome in the Nasio’s family and be given the opportunity to use my skills and expertise for a cause it is very worth fighting, with a team that I immensely admire, and from which I learn more and more every day.

NameMr Keith Budgen CBE
Current Occupation

Chair of Trustees, The Nasio Trust

When You Joined the Team

Joined the board in a support and advisory role after a short period in 2010/11, then fully in May 2013 to advise on the five-year strategy for Nasio and assist with policy and management issues both in the UK and Kenya.

Personal Statement

One thing I can say is Nasio is charity which sets ambitious goals and then meets them. It is highly effective in all that it does in improving (and saving) the lives of the people in Western Kenya and breaking the cycle of poverty. It delivers what is needed on the ground efficiently and quickly and is recognised by other NGOs as an organisation which is highly effective at achieving what others are unable to do – it is the leading NGO in this part of Kenya. The standards and values set at the Early Childhood Development Centres is of such high quality that children are well ahead, happy and confident, when they go to primary school and the ECDs attract students from outside. The Nasio is now positioned to broaden its outreach across Western Kenya and take the lead in in the education, welfare and self-sustainability of the communities

NameNeil Passingham
Current Occupation

Director/founder of two international start-ups focused on cyber-security (GardPass Cyber) and Dementia research (Oxonix)

Previous Experience or Occupations

IT/cyber professional at Hewlett Packard

When You Joined the Team

2017

Personal Statement

I discovered Nasio back in 2012 when I climbed Kilimanjaro and visited the projects in Western Kenya. I was immediately excited by how a small charity like Nasio was having a big impact. Even in my time there, I witnessed that in several ways.

Subsequently I helped establish the UK youth work at Wallingford School which occasionally involved me teaching very simple Kiswahili!

Excited about helping move Nasio onto its next stage in the journey.

NameMrs Sue Russell
Current Occupation

Charity Secretary

Previous Experience or Occupations

Before I retired in 2015 I worked as the Administration Manager in the Nasio UK office.

I came from a teaching background of 30 years’ experience, where I was Deputy Head of a local Primary School. I have had advisory role experience in training, coaching and mentoring new teachers and students. I also worked for 5 years as an Administrator for Thames Valley Police in their Learning and Development section.

When You Joined the Team

I joined the NASIO trust in the administration role in February 2012

Personal Statement

I have been a supporter of the Nasio Trust since 2004, when my daughter selected one of the first 15 orphans admitted to the Noah’s Ark kiosk for me to sponsor. My first visit was in 2005. I went to join an Exit 7 group, who were painting the new building ready for its opening later that week. I have since returned 11 times to witness NASIO’s work grow from feeding and education to community health care, medical intervention, farming projects, HIV awareness, medical clinics, the conversion of the chief’s house into accommodation to medical clinics. God’s hand has been over this work and He has never failed. I have seen miracles happen!

Kenya Staff & Volunteers

NameNoah’s Ark Education Team
Current Occupation

Ensuring that the children at Noah’s Ark get the best possible start in life.

NameSt Irene’s Education Team
Current Occupation

Ensuring the children at St Irene’s get the best start in life.

NameThe Medical Team
Current Occupation

Godfrey, Beverlyne, Faith and Caroline and team work tirelessly at the Medical Centre to support over 10,000 in the community each year.

NameAgriculture Department
Current Occupation

Nasio’s agriculture team do an amazing job working across: our tree nursery, spirulina production, fishponds, farms, gardens, and with our dairy animals.

NameThe Social Work Team
Current Occupation

Prisca (our Head of Social Work Department), Spacious and Farida along with volunteers like Eunice and Elvine (also pictured) are working tirelessly to improve the welfare of children & families in the communities we support every day.

Pictured from left to right:

  • Prisca Auma- Head of Department
  • Spacious Kongere – St. Irene Social worker
  • Farida Makokha – Noah’s Ark Social worker
  • Eunice Juma – Noah’s Ark Volunteer and also a Nasio beneficiary
  • Elvine Sore – St. Irene volunteer

Charity Ambassadors

NameTim Foster, MBE
Current Occupation

Olympic Gold Medallist Rower

When You Joined the Team

Joined in 2015!

Personal Statement

The Nasio Trust are making a really positive and crucially important impact in a very remote corner of the world. It is hard to imagine the position that these orphans would be in without the support of the charity. They are highly ambitious and believe in a sustainable model, which I really admire.

Nasio Pioneers

NameHelen Lord
Current Occupation

Head of English, Summer Fields Preparatory School

Previous Experience or Occupations

Head of Junior English, Cokethorpe School

When You Joined the Team

I joined the Nasio Board when the charity started over ten years ago.

Personal Statement

It is a privilege to work for a Christian charity like The Nasio Trust; to see truly humanitarian work being done among remote communities in Kenya, and to see children cared for and supported. ‘The King will reply, ”Truly I tell you, whatever you did for the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”’ Matt 25:40

NameBetty Georgina Luciola (BA Hons, M.A, PGCE)
Current Occupation

Currently works as a Community Health Support Worker.

Previous Experience or Occupations

Volunteer as a Church Warden.

When You Joined the Team

One of the co-founders in 2001 and daughter of Irene Mudenyo who found baby moses.

Personal Statement

I have so much compassion and being a board member I can influence how we change lives for good both in Kenya and around the world regardless of age.

"The Nasio Trust has transformed children from nothing to something. Those who were shelter-less now have shelter, those who were not going to school are now going to school."
Farida (Social worker)

From the blog...

Eunice’s Story

My name is Eunice Juma and am 23 years old. I come from a small village called Buchirinya in Mumias Town.

I am a total orphan after the death of both my parents.My childhood wasn’t a good one because I had to be relocated every now and then to different relatives which means I had to change schools too that affected me in one way or the other but the good part of it is that I went through education despite all the challenges.

Find out more

Visit to one of Nasio’s projects – The Porridge Kitchen

We were lucky enough on our recent visit to Nasio’s projects to be involved in the new support group for mums with malnourished babies or very young children.

The Porridge Kitchen had recently evolved so that the group had decided to meet at a different home each week.

Find out more

”Cosmic Cats” Children’s Stories Being Sold in Aid of Our Library Appeal

We’ve been selected as the beneficiary for an exciting new project bringing together an anthology of work by children from Mumias School in West Kenya and St Swithun’s in Oxfordshire.

All proceeds from the sale of “Cosmic Cats” will go towards our Library Appeal.

Find out more

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