Our Team

Rachel co-founded Children on the Edge in 1990 and now strategically directs our global operations. With local partners, she identifies overlooked children living on the margins of society and pioneers new initiatives to help them thrive.

Rachel has an MSc in Development Management and a Masters of Advanced Studies (MCR) in Children's Rights and has done occasional consultancy work for other organisations including UN agencies in the area of children's rights. In 2022 she was awarded an OBE for services to the protection and education of marginalised children worldwide.

She is joined by a mischievous chocolate spaniel called Zuma, who loves to enthusiastically greet staff and visitors to the office.

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Ben leads the team in the UK that supports and resources the work of our international partners.

Whilst he now spends a lot of his time in front of a computer screen, he has lived and worked on the projects we support overseas and continues to have regular input internationally.

He has worked for Children on the Edge since 2000 and comes to work with his dog Lola, who loves a cuddle and likes to steal our seats on the meeting room sofa.

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Responsible for the backbone of the organisation, Emily keeps it legal by ensuring the right HR, policies and procedures are in place and oversees the smooth running of the UK office.

Emily also provides all the logistical support and management for our fundraising events and volunteers. Emily has impressively ensured that every 'i' is dotted and 't' crossed for Children on the Edge since May 2003.

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From a base in Thailand, John works with local partners to manage all our programmes in Asia. He travels regularly to develop relationships and enable a hands on approach in giving the best support he can to communities.

John has a BA and MBA in International Economic Development.

John has been with Children on the Edge since 2009 and prior to this he spent 10 years managing educational and humanitarian programmes in Africa and Asia.

Esther leads our communications team and liaises with project partners to obtain the latest information about our work, so she can communicate it to anyone who will listen. Part of this is ensuring that the children and communities we work with have their voices heard and are able to tell their own stories.

She works with Amy and Jemma to ensure that our audiences and growing team are resourced with communications that effectively reflect our brand, values and international programme activities.

Esther has an MSc in International Political Communication, Advocacy and Campaigning.

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Sarah has applied her talents to a number of roles at Children on the Edge and is currently responsible for the development of our education programmes. She works with our partner organisations to plan the curriculum and ensure effective teaching and learning for the children we support around the world.

She's no stranger to our programmes and over the years she has supported the development of our Monitoring and Evaluation in Africa and the Middle East, including living and working in Uganda.

She is a qualified teacher and holds an MA in Education and International Development.

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Eloise leads our fundraising team and helps build new partnerships with companies and brands who want to support Children on the Edge.

Eloise has an MA in Social and Political Sciences and has worked in the charity sector for over 20 years. She loves living by the sea, and trying her hand at growing veg in the garden.

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Amy is an experienced rights campaigner who has worked in the charity sector for over 15 years. She currently leads on our digital fundraising strategy and uses her skills to help show supporters the difference they make, by amplifying the latest information from the international programmes we support. Amy helps to ensure that every supporter's online journey with us is not just smooth and secure, but inspiring too.

Amy has an MSc in Development Studies, and when she's not sprinting after her two children, can usually be found running, cycling or swimming in the sea.

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Sophie is responsible for writing our grant applications and reporting back to all of our wonderful funders. She also researches new funding opportunities; ensuring we can continue to run our projects successfully.

She has worked in similar Trusts and Statutory funding roles for a number of different UK and overseas charities since 2003.

Sophie has an MA in Arabic.

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Jemma keeps our Children on the Edge community up to date with all things digital. This includes campaigning and communicating the latest news about our programmes and fundraising activities via video, e-news and social media. Jemma has over eight years experience in fundraising support, charity events and communications.

She has a BA in Journalism and a CIM certificate in Professional Digital Marketing.

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Lisa looks after all things finance, keeping an eye on all our amazing fundraising income and working with our international partners to keep things on track and compliant.

When her head isn't buried in a spreadsheet or in our database, she loves to take a dip in the sea or run with her black labrador Pip.

Lisa has a BSc in Social Policy & Administration.

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Gemma works alongside our international partners to develop effective monitoring and evaluation systems for our programmes. She helps us learn from the communities we support on how we can improve outcomes, alerts us to issues and enables us to evidence positive impacts of our work.

Gemma is a dedicated foodie, passionate about plant-based fare and growing her own veg.

Gemma has an MA in Gender and International Development.

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Ben works with Lisa to help keep our financial procedures and data in check and is a dab hand with anything IT or tech related.

He relocated with his young family to West Sussex from Cornwall where he worked for a children's mental health charity.

Ben has a degree in teaching and worked as a primary school teacher before moving to the charity sector. He loves to run and dreams of running the London marathon, when his luck finally prevails in the ballot!

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Phil supports our Grants Manager in connecting with new donors, writing grant applications and reporting back to existing funders. He passionately pursues the funding that underpins our work, building strong, collaborative relationships with our generous givers. Phil has worked across Asia, the Middle East and Africa, in places like Thailand, Iraq, and Tanzania, managing complex, high-impact projects in fragile locations. He has overseen large global portfolios and has a solid understanding of what our local partners need and has an MSc in International Security. 

When he’s not busy securing vital grants, Phil enjoys hiking, climbing, cycling, and reading. Most importantly, he’s kept on his toes running around after his energetic twin daughters!

Bryony is responsible for mobilising our community supporters, looking after groups like schools, churches, and local groups who are raising vital funds for Children on the Edge.

As a qualified Primary Teacher, with a BSc in Psychology, she brings invaluable skills in engagement and relationship nurturing to her role. She is the key contact for all our major challenge events, including the London Marathon and The Big Cake Bake, ensuring every fundraiser has the support they need.

Bryony loves spending time with her two young children and when she gets a moment to herself, she enjoys running, swimming, and crafting.

Winnie leads the development and execution of the long term strategy of Children on the Edge Africa (COTEA). She is a direct liaison between COTEA board, staff and COTE UK.

Winnie started with a team of 4 staff in October 2015 and now leads a team of 52 staff and 260 members in our community structures as well as 217 community caregivers.

Winnie represented COTEA and COTE UK in the fight against child sacrifice by passionately supporting a private members bill on the Prevention and Prohibition of Human Sacrifice in Uganda which is now an act of Parliament.

Winnie has a Master’s degree in Business Administration and Management (MBA) from Uganda Martyrs University, a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration majoring in Finance, a Diploma in accountancy as well as a certificate in Child Protection from Makerere University, Uganda.

Solomon oversees the implementation of the Cluster Learning project in Kyaka II Refugee Settlement, working closely with partners and communities to expand access to quality early childhood education. He has also supported COTEA teams in Napak and Jinja, contributing to a range of education, livelihood and child protection initiatives.

Solomon holds a Master of Statistics and a PGD in Monitoring and Evaluation.

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Babra has been with Children on the Edge Africa for ten years, working in six vulnerable communities of Jinja and Mayuge District. She also works in Karamoja. Babra leads a team of social workers who work alongside communities sensitising them about child protection concerns.

She values mindset change that fosters positive parenting thus reducing child exploitation and restoring hope and dignity to children. The COTEA team say Babra is ' A community star that brings brightness in the dark corners and rays of hope'. 

Babra is the brain behind the formation of Child Protection Teams, Child Rights Clubs and Youth Peer Groups who are vital in identifying, reporting and preventing child abuse in their communities.

Babra is passionate about working with local people to change their communities and putting smiles on their faces.

Henry is a Social Worker and Liaison Officer with Children on the Edge Africa. In this role, he offers psycho-social support, leads case management, liaises with stakeholders, contributes to programme development and monitoring and ensures safeguarding and adherence to organisational policies.

Henry is an experienced Social Worker with a strong background in child protection, community support, and program implementation. He began his career with Children on the Edge Africa as a Social Worker, providing case management and linking children with essential services.

He later worked as Programme Manager in Kyaka II Refugee Settlement, managing programmes for both refugee and host communities, overseeing implementation and monitoring, and coordinating with stakeholders and partners to ensure effective service delivery. Henry also worked as a Community Programme Officer, supporting programme roll-out, community engagement activities, and reporting processes.

Suzan is a dedicated Social Worker who has been with Children on the Edge Africa for 5 years. She began her career in Kyaka II Refugee Settlement, where she supported the implementation of the pilot Cluster Learning Programme.

Suzan currently works alongside Babra providing psycho-social support, rehabilitation, and social assistance to families; conducting home visits, identifying families in need, offering appropriate interventions, and ensuring accurate case documentation.

Suzan also plays a key role in strengthening Child Protection Teams through capacity-building sessions, stakeholder linkages, and active participation in regular team meetings and community workshops promoting positive parenting.

She is patron of the Child Rights Clubs, guiding children to champion child rights within their communities. She plays a key role conducting focus group discussions in Jinja and Karamoja to gather insights that inform programme planning.

Suzan has a Master of Arts (MA) in Social Work and Community Development

Edrine is a dedicated social worker who has worked for Children on the Edge Africa for three years at the Napak office (Karamoja). Edrine supports community volunteers in implementing community-based activities across Lokopo Sub-county, Napak District. His work emphasises community ownership and sustainability, driven by his belief that “seeing a smile on one’s face is worth the effort put into the community.”

He plays a key role in improving hygiene and sanitation by encouraging the use of pit latrines, strengthening health and nutrition practices, and ensuring the safety of children by responding to emergencies and supporting justice for victims of child abuse. Edrine also promotes mindset change by advocating for children to remain in school and raising awareness on child wellbeing. He committed to leading transformative programmes for communities with children at risk.

Cathy Faith is a committed Social Worker who holds a Diploma in Social Work and Social Administration and is set to complete her Bachelor’s degree next year. She began her career in June 2025 as an intern with Children on the Edge Africa and was recruited as staff in September 2025 after demonstrating strong potential and dedication.

Cathy currently works in the Jinja communities as a Social Worker, supporting vulnerable children and families through case management, psychosocial support, home visits, and linking beneficiaries to essential services. She works closely with Suzan and reports to the Senior Social Worker, Babra. Her role also involves community engagement, participating in program activities, and helping identify households that need COTEA support.

Cathy is passionate about promoting the wellbeing and protection of children. She’s committed and eager to learn. She continues to grow in the profession and adds valuable support to the team and the communities she serves.

Doreen is an experienced Early Childhood Development (ECD) professional with a strong foundation in child protection, who has worked with Children on the Edge Africa for 10 years. She is in charge of ECD, overseeing two preschools in Jinja, ensuring that young children learn and develop in a safe, nurturing, and holistic environment.

Doreen provides supervision for all centre activities, guides caregivers to deliver quality early learning, and maintains daily routines that support children’s cognitive, emotional, and social growth. She is committed to strengthening caregiver skills, promoting child protection, and fostering positive learning experiences. Doreen also plays a vital role in supporting parent engagement by encouraging families to actively participate in their children’s wellbeing and development. Doreen works closely with the social workers offering psycho-social support to children and caregivers.

Kauthara brings extensive experience in supporting young children’s holistic growth and learning in humanitarian and refugee contexts. She works closely with communities, caregivers, and partners in Kyaka II Refugee Settlement to strengthen the programme.

As a Project Officer, Kauthara helps with planning, implementing, and monitoring ECD activities that directly enhance access to quality early learning, play-based methodologies, caregiver empowerment, and community engagement. Focusing on building the capacity of caregivers and parent champions to ensure that children receive consistent, safe, and nurturing care both at home and in learning spaces.

Justine plays a significant role in supporting the ECD Programme through the identified community structures in Kyaka ll Refugee Settlement. She dedicates her knowledge, expertise and energy towards creating inclusive learning environments where children share equal opportunities to achieve their developmental milestones. Her ability to think strategically, give direction and set up workable plans on how to achieve goals has always brought about a remarkable impact on the children. 

She holds a Bachelor in Social Work and Social Administration, and a PGD in Early Childhood Education.

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Mercy is a Project Officer - Child Protection and works in the Karamoja office with Edrine. She works in the parishes of Lokopo Subcounty in Napak District where the levels of child trafficking are ranked the highest in the whole region. She is in charge of the Child Rights Clubs and she works hand-in-hand with Edrine to ensure communities have sustainable livelihoods by promoting agricultural practices that improve nutrition and household income. Mercy supports the formation of household and community vegetable gardens. As a team they are working to address the high rates of child protection issues affecting communities in Karamoja.

Marble has a background in Development Studies (Bachelor's Degree) and a Postgraduate Diploma in Monitoring and Evaluation. She dedicates her expertise to fostering inclusive learning environments that help children to achieve their developmental milestones. Her strategic thinking, direction-setting, and planning abilities contribute to impactful outcomes for children in the programme. Beyond her professional responsibilities, she nurtures her capabilities through avid reading, embracing travel experiences that broaden perspectives, and engaging in initiatives fostering social responsibility – all enriching her approach to promote learning and growth in ECD contexts. Through these pursuits, she strives to enhance program effectiveness, support community-driven solutions, and contribute meaningfully to the wellbeing and development of children in Kyaka II.

Stella has a strong background in community with 14 years of experience working with different NGOs (GTZ, GIZ, Danish Refugee Council) in Kyaka II refugee settlement. She is skilled in community engagement, mobilisation and sensitisation and child protection. Stella has worked as a Community Resource Person, Trainer of Trainers (ToT). She works closely with parents to ensure sustainability and ownership of 46 study areas in Kyaka II refugee settlement. 

Stella has certificates in Secretarial Studies and Childcare. 

Isaac has supported over 1,000 households improve their economic well being through the loans scheme in Jinja and Mayuge. He now works in Kyaka II refugee settlement as part of the livelihoods team. He has supported the formation of over 90 VSLA groups. He continually offers weekly mentorship and support to the VSLA groups ensuring proper management and helping to build their resilience, confidence and financial stability.

He holds a Bachelors Degree in Philosophy and a PGD in Public Administration and Management. 

JK supports the livelihood team preparing VSLA training Content, conducting training to both staff and parents in communities. JK is passionate and supports the expansion of VSLA training skills and guidance to Parents VSLA groups.

JK has a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Philosophical Studies and PGD in counselling and Guidance.

David is a Livelihoods and Loans Officer with over five years of experience at Children on the Edge Africa (COTEA). In this role, he has supports communities across five areas in Jinja and one in Mayuge, helping families create stronger, more resilient, and sustainable futures.

He works closely with the Child Protection Team to implement business training and Village Savings Groups. Through these initiatives, he encourages parents to invest in their children’s education and to develop consistent saving habits that strengthen household stability.

He also has practical experience working in Kyaka II Refugee Settlement, where he trained refugees to start and manage small businesses.

In 2020, he trained as an Assistant Financial Controller gaining valuable financial management and organisational skills.

His work is driven by a deep dedication to community advancement. He is motivated by the opportunity to help individuals achieve stability, nurture healthy environments for their children, and rediscover hope for their future.

Joseph is the Finance Assistant at the Jinja Head Office. He facilitates all financial transactions, keeps records, facilitates audit exercises, he organises the transport and facilitation of field offices activities reporting directly to Winnie.

Joseph has a Diploma in Business Administration, a Certificate in Business Administration and Diploma in Accountancy.

Retired as Head of Children's Services for both West and East Sussex County Councils, Stuart's long term experience and knowledge is perfectly suited to guiding our Board of Trustees.

Paul was Finance Director of Harwoods Ltd for over 20 years and is able to bring essential financial skills to the organisation.

Sarah brings support and business expertise as the Director of Chichester based business, Store Property. She has been a vital supporter of our work since 2012.

Walter has an extensive background in education, being headmaster of two schools for 18 years. He has also kindly given his time as a volunteer with Children on the Edge since 2012.

Helen is the Co-founder of Montezuma's Chocolates. She brings a wealth of entrepreneurial experience in growing a bespoke brand into a global business.