TOM GILL – Building Co-ordinator
“I developed the idea of building a playground after working and travelling in Tanzania. I realised that the children had nothing to do after school, and remembered how much I loved my local playground. I went back to Tanzania the following year after raising £6,000 and recruiting two volunteers – which resulted in the three most exhausting months of our lives! I was approached by others in Tanzania to continue my work… and there began East African Playgrounds. I am a mature student and am now finally in my third year at Leeds University studying Social Policy. I also have a lot of experience in the building trade and these expertise come in handy on project! It’s an honour to be able to see the joy that our playgrounds bring into the lives of so many children.”
CARLA POWELL – Volunteer Co-ordinator
“I jumped at the opportunity to set up EAP with Tom, and to spread happiness through playgrounds. My experience of Africa started with volunteering for a month building schools in Uganda, followed by a month of travelling Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania and Kenya. This gave me a great overview of each of the countries and confirmed my love for Africa. I have just graduated from Leeds University with a degree in Childhood, Education and Culture. My degree gives me a great foundation for my involvement in EAP, and I am able to apply ideas about education and socialisation through play, but I constantly seem to be learning more. Bringing play into children’s life is so important – play brings far more than just enjoyment into children’s lives.”
ALI NOBLE – Trustee
“I work for Research Councils UK in the areas of security, energy, environment and development. My background in International Development and Politics, and work for non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and charities in Eastern Europe are particularly useful for my work with EAP. My main concerns centre upon social justice, sustainable development, and vulnerable children. I have a wide range of experience of working with children and young people in a variety of contexts, and it is with great pleasure that I can contribute in some way to the work that EAP does.”
DAVID GODFREY – Trustee
“I am an Electronics Engineer and have also been a Fellow of the Institution of Engineering & Technology since 1993. I’ve spent 40 years in industry, and am currently Managing Director of iTs Designs Ltd, whose primary business is to supply alarm monitoring equipment for the handicapped, frail and elderly in domestic and residential care situations. I have always had a very active interest in educating and enabling young people and served on the board of the “Young Engineers” for a time, for whom I helped to run a number of national and local events targeted at school engineering clubs. I currently help in the organising of three youth clubs and the youth outreach work at his local Baptist church. I serve as Trustee to two other charities, Loughborough Endowed Schools and Kirby Muxloe Free Church. My role in EAP is as elder statesman, advising on engineering and using my network of associates to help as needed.”
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