Our people
Board of Directors in Ireland
Linden Edgell
Chairperson
Linden Edgell is a social specialist with more than 20 years experience and is Global Director of Sustainability and Head of the Corporate Foundation for an international consulting firm.
Mark Cumming
Company Secretary
Mark Cumming is a human resource management and international development professional, who currently works as a Development Coordinator, and a and a Freelance Trainer, Facilitator and Organisational Development specialist.
Carole Barry Kinsella
Board Member
Carole Barry Kinsella is a retired Consultant Obstetrician/Gynaecologist, Rotunda, and James Connolly Hospitals and a Honorary Senior Lecturer Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland.
Andrew Bird
Board member
Andrew Bird is a dairy and tillage farmer. He has is well experienced in board management with involvement at board level in several farming and local community organisations.
Lisa Doherty
Board Member
Lisa Doherty is a Principal Officer at the Department of Justice. Lisa has vast experience working in public service, predominantly in international development, including seven years living and working in Kenya.
Catherine Donohoe
Board member
Catherine Donohoe is a Nurse and currently the Hospital Manager of the Mayo University Hospital in Castlebar.
Tom Gilligan
Board Member
Tom Gilligan is the Deputy Chief Executive, (rota basis) Director of Services in Mayo County Council. He is a member of CIMA with a wealth of financial and management experience.
Roisin O Neill
Board member
Roisin O’Neill is a self-motivated professional with extensive experience working in digital and event management and a passion for community development.
Board of Directors in Kenya
Maria Kidney
Co-founder and Board Member
Maria Kidney is a Co-Founder of the organisation. She is a qualified accountant and a public health practitioner with more than 20 years business and development experience across multiple organisations.
Martin Ballantyne
CEO
Martin is the CEO of Brighter Communities Worldwide. Martin has held multiple roles in Brighter Communities Worldwide since 2002 including Board Member, Project Leader for Volunteer Groups, Trainer of Volunteer Groups and Executive Director.
Dr. Betty Langat
CHAIR
Dr. Langat is the County Director for Health – Kericho County. She has worked in partnership with Brighter Communities Worldwide for many years, and brings her health and medical expertise to the Board of Directors.
Anna Mainek
Board member
Anna has volunteered with Brighter Communities Worldwide since its inception in 2002 and retired as Country Director in 2012. She is a very experienced Life Skills Trainer, and has a vast knowledge of community development, working with many community groups throughout the District.
Selinah J Kibogy
Board member
Selinah has 18 years experience of working in the Education, Development and Emergency response sectors. She has experience working in various Government Ministries, Civil society, Private sector, the Public Sector and Volunteering Organisations.
Jonah Tonui
Board member
Jonah has vast financial and accounting experience and project management and community development skills. He has served on the board of Kapkondor Secondary School in Londiani and was chairman of Londiani District Hospital Committee during the construction of the Operating Theatre.
Andrew Macharia
Board member
Andrew is a retired Headmaster from Londiani with a wealth of educational and strong governance experience. He was worked at eight different schools in Kericho County and served on many school boards.
Annah Chelangat Soi
Board member
Annah served as the Nurse in Charge of Londiani Sub County Hospital for over 20 years. She is a registered nurse and midwife with 35 years experience across various health facilities in Kenya.
Dickson Sitienei
Board member
Dickson is a founding member of the Nduro Water Project in Kunyak. He has been involved in many community projects and has served on several boards including chair of the Parent Teacher Association of Kunyak Secondary School.
Fidelis Mambo Nyamari
Board member
Fidelis is trained in Environmental Management by the Kenya Wildlife Service Training Institute. He has vast experience in sustainable agriculture programmes and has led the development of the Franciscan Peace and Environment Centre in Molo.
Staff of Brighter Communities Worldwide Ireland office
Rose Hennessy
Operations Manager
Rose Hennessy manages the activities and responsibilities of Brighter Communities Worldwide in Ireland. She has been involved with the organisation for many years starting out as a volunteer on Harambee.
Martin Ballantyne
CEO
Martin is the CEO of Brighter Communities Worldwide. Martin has held multiple roles in Brighter Communities Worldwide since 2002 including Board Member, Project Leader for Volunteer Groups, Trainer of Volunteer Groups and Executive Director.
Denise Kelleher
Fundraising & Communications Assistant
Denise Kelleher assists our fundraising and communications providing support for content creation, administration, fundraising events and donor relations. She has volunteered with the organisation and interned as part of her International Development studies at University College Cork.
Administration Team
Damaris Cheokemboi Ngelelei
Administration Manager
Damaris works with the team to ensure that the day to day operations run smoothly. She Supports the HR, Operations and finance functions across the organisation.
Kipkurui Thomas Bor
Programmes Manager
Thomas is experienced in community engagement and management. He Supports the team to ensure succesful planning and implementation of all programme activities in the communities. With his community engagement skill, he represents the organisation in different forum across the county.
Reuben Kimutai Koskei
Community Liaison Officer
Reuben is a long term team member. His vast experience and knowledge of the communities and their culture has led him be a trusted liasion person for the organisation. With his deep understanding of local dynamics, Reuben plays a key role in building and maintaining strong relationships with the community members, and ensuring smooth collaboration between the organisation and the community.
Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Team
Jackline Chepngeno
Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Coordinator
Jackline Coordinates the Monitoring Evaluation and Learning department. A holder of a bachelors degree in Community health, she has worked in the Schools Health Programme and now supports all programmes with data tracking and progress reporting to ensure impact is measured and lessons are shared.
Logistics Team
Everline Miruka
Logistics Coordinator
Everline is experienced in Supplies Management and oversees the procurement and logistics of the organisation.
John Lelei Sawe
Driver and REC Coordinator
John plays a vital role as an experienced Remote Emergency Care Coordinator and facilitator, sharing lifesaving skills with community members and volunteers. John is also a reliable and seasoned driver with deep knowledge of the local terrain.
Jane Kisoryo
Office Support
Jane is a trusted and valued member of the team with vast experience in supporting the Harambee Volunteer project over the years. She also maintains the office space cleanliness.
Simon Chepkwony
Security Supervision Officer/Receptionist
Simon leads the office security and reception team to make sure that the environment is safe and welcoming. With his experience in Community security, he manages daily security routines and supports general front desk duties.
Bernard Cheruiyot Ronoh
Driver
Bernard has several years of experience supporting the organisation’s transport needs like driving staff,volunteers and supplies to various programme locations. He supports the logistics team to ensure smooth day to day movement with the broad knowledge of local routes and road safety. Bernard is also qualified in Purchasing and supplies.
David Kipchirchir Rop
Security Officer/Receptionist
David has been part of the security team for several years. He makes sure the office environment is safe and secure. David also supports the logistics team in the day to day operations.
Francis Kibet Ruto
Security Officer/Receptionist
Francis has been part of the security team for several years. He makes sure the office environment is safe and secure and he also supports the logistics team in the day to day operations.
Health Programme Team
Carolyne Chepngetich
Health Programme Coordinator
Caroline leads the planning and coordination of health activities. She is experienced in Community Health Startegy and works had in hand with the ministry of Health to implement the activities. She works closely with the team,partners and communities to ensure smotth delivery of the Health programme.
Charity Chepkurui
Senior Field Officer, Health Programme
Charity supports the health programme and is responsible for Belgut and Kipkelion West Sub Counties. She plans and implements health activities in communities in partnership with the Ministry of Health and she regularly represents the organisation in stakeholder meetings.
Beatrice Wambia
Senior Field Officer, Health Programme
Beatrice supports the health programme and is responsible for Soin Sigowet and Kipkelion East Sub Counties as well as the Smokeless stoves project. She plans and implements health activities in communities in partnership with the Ministry of Health and represents the organisation in stakeholder meetings.
Shadrack Kipngeno Cheruiyot
Senior Field Officer, Health Programme
Shadrack supports the health programme and is responsible for Belgut and Kipkelion West Sub Counties. He plans and implements health activities in communities in partnership with the Ministry of Health and regularly represents the organisation in stakeholder meetings.
Naftally Kibet Mutai
Field Officer,Health Programme
Naftally supports the Health Programme team. He works closely with the Ministry of Health and the Communities to deliver Health education and services through events like Field Days, Action Days and Dialogue Days.
Schools Education Team
Caroline Chelangat
Schools Education Coordinator
Caroline has been with the organisation for many years. She coordinates the Healthy Schools Programme which promotes safe and healthy learning environment in schools. She is experienced in Community development and has a long standing relationship with the Education Stakeholders in Kericho County.
Community Health Education Team
Richard C Kirui
Community Health Education Coordinator
Richard has been with the organisation for many years. He co-ordinates the Community Health Education Programme by delivering Lifeskills trainings and advocating for abandonment of FGM/C practice in the communities. Richard is experienced in matters of community engagement.
Jackline Chepngeno
Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Coordinator
Jackline Coordinates the Monitoring Evaluation and Learning department. A holder of a bachelors degree in Community health, she has worked in the Schools Health Programme and now supports all programmes with data tracking and progress reporting to ensure impact is measured and lessons are shared.
Sexual Reproductive Health & Rights Team
Sonia Cheruto
Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights Coordinator responsible for Community Education
Sonia coordinates community Based SRHR activities,working closely with youths,women and men.She has a previous experience supporting the Health programme. She is a qualified Public Health Officer and has been actively involved in SRHR for years. She loves teaching and is passionate about helping people understand their health and Rights.
Judith Chelangat
Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights Coordinator responsible for Schools and Youth
Judy is the Coordinator for SRHR in schools. She brings deep understanding of working with young people and focuses on creating safe spaces where students can learn about their SRHR. Judy enjoys mentoring the youth.
Veronica Chelangat Chuma
Field Officer Supproting SRHR and REC
Veronica Supports Sexual Reproductive Health & Rights and Remote Emergency Care (REC) activities in the community. Before she joined as a staff member, she volunteered with the organisation for many years as a REC facilitator. She has experience in supporting Community Health Education programmes.
Economic Empowerment Team
Salim Kiprotich Koskei
Economic Empowerment Coordinator
Salim is certified in Bee keeping and has worked with the organisation for many years. He co-ordinates the Economic Empowerment programme by training community members on basic business skills and developing Income Generation Activities. Salim has also been involved with the Harambee volunteers project and is an experienced guide helping volunteers learn and connect with the local communities.
BobCollins Kipngeno
Field Officer Economic Empowerment
Bob Collins supports the economic empowerment programme. He works closely with small groups to deliver business training, mentorship and follow ups. His background is in Economic and Statistics.
Construction Team
Julius Kipkoech Korir
Construction Supervisor
Julius is a certified Mason and he is responsible for all Construction projects facilitated by the organisation.
Alvis Kipngeno
Construction Field Officer
Alvis is a certified plumber who applies his expertise in all construction projects in schools and in the communities.
Ndubusat Medical Clinic Staff
Hellen Akinyiis
Nurse In Charge, Ndubusat Medical Clinic
Hellen is a qualified Community Health Nurse and oversees the day to day running of the clinic. With her experience,she manages clinical services and suppports team. She is also a Remote Emergency Care facilitator and works with the community to learn lifesaving skills.
Victory Chepkemoi
Nurse Intern, Ndubusat Medical Clinic
Victory supports the team at the clinic by providing nursing care at the clinic, supporting patients with treatment, follow ups and health education. She is a qualified Community Health Nurse.
Betty Chepkoech
Support Staff/Receptionist
Betty is based at the Ndubusat Medical Clinic and is responsible for maintaining the facility’s hygiene and cleanliness as well as receiving and guiding patients and visitors.
Kenneth Kibet Tuum
Support Staff/Receptionist
Kenneth has served a longtime as the facility’s security officer. He ensures the safety of the clinic grounds, staff and visitors.
Linner Cherono
Support Staff/Receptionist
Linner is based at the Ndubusat Medical Clinic and is responsible for maintaining the facility’s hygiene and cleanliness as well as receieving and guiding patients and visitors. Linner has experience in supporting the Harambee Volunteer project.
Paul Koskey
Clinic Support
Paul supports the daily running of the clinic by organising supplies and assisting patients with registration, guiding them through the processes and general assistance.
Samwel Rugutt
Support Staff/Receptionist
Samwel has served a longtime as the facility’s security officer. He ensures the safety of the clinic grounds, staff and visitors.
Sustainable Tourism Campsite Team
Alfred Kipkorir Rotich
Security Officer/Receptionist
Alfred is based in Ndubusat Campsite. He ensures the site remains safe for guests,staff abd volunteers.He is a Ndubusat Community member and his presence help create a welcoming and secure space for everyine using the facility.
Festo Bett
Security Officer/Receptionist
Festo supports both the security and smooth running of the campsite.He is experienced in both reception and security work.
Irine Chepkoech Bett
Security Officer/Receptionist
Irine supports both the security and smooth running of the campsite. She maintains the cleanliness of the site and is experienced in both reception and security work.
Reuben K Langat
Security Officer/Receptionist
Reuben is a long term team member based in Ndubusat Campsite. He ensures the site remains safe for guests, staff and volunteers. He is a Ndubusat Community member and his presence help create a welcoming and secure space for everyone using the facility.
