Meet the Team

Karen Bunning

Chair

Karen is Professor of Language, Communication and Developmental Disabilities at the University of East Anglia. A qualified speech and language therapist, she has worked in higher education since 1994. She has managed a series of research projects both in the UK and Kenya that reflect her interest in the lives of children with learning and developmental disabilities, and her commitment to human rights and community inclusion.

Fahmida Wadud-Muhit

Treasurer

Fahmida is a qualified accountant with a wide range of senior level experience within humanitarian, development and charitable organisations. She has a proven track record of aligning finance functions to achieve business objectives, reporting at board level and briefing trustees on their obligations on various regulatory changes. Fahmida’s broad experience within the sector involves donor liaison, programme management, donor regulations and compliance. She has effectively combined her skills in financial management, administration and international development sector to provide well rounded analytical input towards grants compliance.

Joe Waring

Secretary

Joe worked as a qualified social worker and managed day care and residential establishments for adults with learning disabilities in London and Norfolk. During his managerial career, Joe steered the services for which he was responsible to success in Chartermark Awards for Excellence. Now retired, Joe continues to offer holidays for adults with learning disabilities at home in Norfolk. Joe has enjoyed travelling to Kenya and countries in South America.

Sally Hartley

Trustee

Sally was the leader of the original research team which initiated investigations into self-help groups in Kilifi in the early 2000. However she first went to Kenya as a VSO speech therapist and audiologist in 1969 where she helped to train nurses to detect hearing problems in young children and also set up units for deaf children attached to regular schools. She subsequently lived and worked in many developing countries over a period of 27 years. She is a retired Professor Emeritus after a long career in research and community development. She was instrumental in founding the pan-African organization CAN (CBR African network) and was one of the editors and authors of the Community based rehabilitation and inclusive development guidelines and the WHO/WB World report on disability.

Lizi Hartley

Trustee

Lizi was born in Kenya and then lived in Lesotho and Nigeria during her childhood. She trained as a teacher in the UK and has taught in America, UK and Australia. She has developed many skills in supporting and teaching children with special needs but her passion lies with promoting and utilizing art experiences to inform the development and improve the quality of life of children as they grow up in this uncertain world. Lizi has also been involved in community development projects in Sri Lanka with disabled children. She has also worked in Fiji with women’s craft groups, helping to identify their strengths and utilize them to make a living.

Joseph Karisa Gona

Joseph Karisa Gona is Executive Director of Walezi Foundation Kenya, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) providing services to caregivers of children and adults with disabilities. He has lived and worked in Kilifi County Kenya and is familiar with the local culture and languages. He has coordinated and supported community-based self-help groups for caregivers of children with disabilities since 2015. Joseph Gona has a background in teaching and assessment of children with special educational needs. He has a Master’s degree in international development and completed his PhD by publication in 2016 at the University of Tilburg, Netherlands. Dr Gona set up Walezi Foundation Kenya NGO in 2022.

Michael Kahindi Kashuru

Michael Kahindi Kashuru is a Pastor of an evangelical church. He has facilitated the bringing together of caregivers through his church.

Eddah Sauti

Eddah Sauti is a graduate teacher. She teaches in a secondary school. She has a  passion for serving the community. She is also versed in basic accounting skills.

Alfred Jira

Alfred Jira is a retired civil servant who formerly worked in the department of criminal investigation within the government police force. He is now involved in community development agendas.

Stellah Miki Ziro

Stellah Miki Ziro is a community health promoter with the Ministry of Health. In her work she supported many children with disabilities by referring them for intervention. She has also been involved in the creation of self-help groups for caregivers.