Jo. Tara and I spent the first part of the week with the UK team – Brian, our Administrator, Ruth our Visits Co-ordinator and Kerry our Fundraising Co-ordinator.
It’s hard to believe sometimes that such a small team manages to achieve so much, and support the operations in East Africa so well. I’m so proud of each one of the team – they do great work, mostly remotely from each other, but still manage to function brilliantly as a team. They support each other and the volunteer members of the team so well, working with great dedication in spite of being several thousand miles from seeing the results of their work – quiet heroes who make it possible for the Mwanza team to function.
Since Jo & I left the country in 2006, B2A UK has grown from one part time role to two full time and one half time, ably supported by our UK volunteers. I’ve always tried to keep the team as lean and mean as possible.
It’s time to grow again.
With our operations in East Africa increasing this year, and a growing UK support base that needs to be both valued and expanded, we have decided on a new UK role to keep up our momentum and build for a future with operations in other countries outside of Tanzania.
I am thrilled to say that Shaenna Loughnane has been offered and accepted the position of UK Manager.
For those of you who don’t know her, Shaenna and her husband Phil are owners of the Chipping Manor Dental Practices in Gloucestershire. She is currently our Unity Partnership Co-ordinator and also represents us at trade shows. She has a very strong background with B2A, within dentistry, and as a manager.
For B2A, Chipping Manor have raised well over £100,000+ in the past 5 years, sent several members of their teams on DVP and also sent a team to refurbish the final block at Bukumbi earlier this year. They have set the standard in practice fundraising and support.
I cannot think of anyone better to take on this pivotal role as we seek to strengthen our team and expand our support base in the UK, and I am looking forward to seeing Shaenna’s contribution make a very positive impact on the organisation.
As well as managing and developing the UK team, Shaenna will also be driving new fundraising and supporter relations initiatives. She will continue to run and expand Unity Partnership.
Within the next 3 years we intend to be providing access to emergency pain relief to 2 million people a year, from our current base of 500,000.
That can only happen with a right sized, dedicated staff team, a great support base of friends, and a committed team of volunteers, all bringing their unique contributions to make the dream a reality.
Thank you for the part you play in the B2A family.
And Shaenna – welcome to the team!
