Our team

Team GAGA

The Board of Trustees

Tony Weller is the Chairman of our Board of Trustees. An Australian living & working in London, Tony spends a good deal of his life travelling for both work and pleasure. He is passionate about GAGA and the projects we support and is always keen to participate in an innovative fundraiser!

Charlie Homer black & white head and shoulder photo

Charlie Homer is the Vice-Chairman of our Board of Trustees, he has been involved in GAGA since the very early days and was, in fact, our first Director. Charlie has lived and worked in South Africa and he knows the area we operate in very well. He has travelled extensively through Eastern and Southern Africa, recently returning to the UK to commence a new job and a Masters degree in Public Policy.

Ann Smith black & white head and shoulder picture

Ann Smith holds the position of Secretary on the Board of Trustees. Ann is the foundation of GAGA, she has been working indefatigably to promote and support this charity since her granddaughter first told her about an orphanage in KwaZulu Natal where she had volunteered. Ann maintains GAGA's links with Rotary and WI organisations, opening up opportunities for us to give talks, sell our handmade, beadwork and participate in joint fundraising events.

Mandy Barrie black & white head and shoulder picture Mandy Barrie joined the Board of Trustees in 2016 and she is also a Trustee of the charity KYGN UK which supports the Primary School, Kilimanjaro Young Girls in Need in Tanzania. Mandy brings her experience of KYGN to the GAGA Board and currently holds the office of Treasurer.

Sarah Hodgson colour head shot

Sarah Hodgson has recently joined the Board of Trustees following a period of nearly four years as the Director of GAGA. A First Class honours graduate in International Relations, Sarah has travelled extensively in the southern hemisphere and worked as a monitoring and evaluating coordinator for over two years in an Early Childhood development project in Kwa Zulu Natal. We are delighted to retain Sarah's knowledge and experience in GAGA in her new role as trustee.

Richard Lucas black & white head and shoulder photo Richard Lucas is a management consultant specialising in organisational development and business transformation. Joining the GAGA Board of Trustees in 2019 his particular focus will be to help us develop our proposal to Corporate donors. He worked extensively on a volunteer basis with the leadership team of one of the Prince’s charities, Youth Business International, helping them to develop from a small team, to launching as an independent charity and onwards to a team of over 30 at the centre of a network of youth entrepreneurship programmes across the world.

GAGA Employees

Claire Whatley black & white head and shoulder photo

Claire Whatley joined GAGA as the Director at the start of 2019, after fundraising and volunteering with GAGA for a couple of years. She is a qualified accountant and had a career in financial services before moving to the third sector. Having grown up in southern Africa, Claire has a strong affinity with that part of the world and she is passionate about her role with GAGA and using her skills to maximise the impacts for beneficiaries from the generosity of donors and supporters here in the UK.

Debbie Young black & white

Debbie Young lives in KwaZulu Natal and has been associated with GAGA since the early days. Debbie is the eyes and ears on the ground for us, she can react quickly if needed and she provides valuable insight into new project opportunities. She manages our Sangobeg Scholarship programme and is the first point of contact for all of our students in South Africa.

Latest

Yemoh Town Maternity Unit - Sanitation Project

With the support of Stratford Upon Avon Rotary International Committee, GAGA UK are delighted to report the completion of a maternity sanitation project in Bo, Sierra Leone. This project delivered clean, running water into the maternity unit from the well outside and provided a hygienic facility for the disposal of the products of delivery.
Manchester Marathon for GAGA

As a recently retired headteacher, I understand how vital education is and I want to support the work of GAGA with children who may otherwise not have access to a good start in life.
Gemini Dress Event

Fabulous Gemini dress event, an exclusive chance to view and buy beautiful prom & evening dresses for a one time, fixed price of £50 (RRP up to £600) and to complete your event experience by reserving additional services from local businesses. A ticket price of £10 gives you entry to the fashion show, the opportunity to browse and try on other dress styles and enter the raffle with a top prize of £250 Gemini voucher!
GAGA Quiz

Grab a few mates (brainy ones) and come along to our next GAGA quiz night to give those little grey cells a work out whilst #makingadifference to the lives of children and their caregivers in the rural communities of Southern Africa.

Manchester Marathon for GAGA

As a recently retired headteacher, I understand how vital education is and I want to support the work of GAGA with children who may otherwise not have access to a good start in life.
Example - Support us

Push already-interested visitors over the line with stories, stats and ideas. Make next steps clear
Accessibility
Example - How we're funded

State your case for the support you need, while showing supporters can trust you (be transparent)
Example - Mission, vision, values

What you're all about -- but write to inform and inspire site visitors, not for yourselves
Example - Our history

Tell the relevant, inspiring parts of how you started, where you are today and any major milestones
Build a One Room House for Zanele

Zanele Sithole is 48 years old and she lives in Swayimane in Kwa Zulu Natal, South Africa with her five children and one granddaughter. Two children are in school, the eldest daughter is Zanele's carer and the other two are currently unemployed. Zanele suffers from Dementia resulting from a stroke she suffered in 2010. Their current home does not provide adequate shelter and this appeal is put forward to build one liveable room from which this family can start to rebuild their lives.
Example - Where your money goes

Earn your supporters' trust by being transparent and making the impact of their support clear
Privacy Policy

At Goodwill and Growth for Africa UK (GAGAUK; registered charity number 1092028), we are committed to protecting and respecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy describes exactly when, how and why we collect personal information, what information we collect, how we use it and how we keep it secure, and the rights you have regarding our collection, processing and storage of your data, including the right to be forgotten.
Yemoh Town Maternity Unit - Sanitation Project

With the support of Stratford Upon Avon Rotary International Committee, GAGA UK are delighted to report the completion of a maternity sanitation project in Bo, Sierra Leone. This project delivered clean, running water into the maternity unit from the well outside and provided a hygienic facility for the disposal of the products of delivery.