Our people

Board of Directors in Ireland

Linden-Edgell

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

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

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

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

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.

Betty-Langat

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

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

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.

Tonui

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

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_Soi

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

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

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

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

Everline Miruka

Logistics Coordinator

Everline is experienced in Supplies Management and oversees the procurement and logistics of the organisation.

John Sawe

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-Rop

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

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

Chelangat

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

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_Chelagat_Chuma

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

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

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_Akinyi

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

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.

KennethKibet

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

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-Koskei

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

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_Rotich

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

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

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.